For thousands of years previous to the European exploration, natives lived and prospered here in South America. But after decades of slaughter and integration, many parts of different indigenous cultures are being lost or forgotten. The very fabric on which an entire population is based is slowly being pulled out from under their feet.

However, the national government is willing to halt that decay by establishing the first ever bilingual school in Chaco where the students will learn both Spanish and their native language Qom. The hope is that through education students will be able to educate and eventually employ themselves while still maintaining a piece of their heritage. Similar instances have been tried in various countries, like the Maori people in New Zealand, and have been very successful. With the proper teachers and some government support, an entire generation will live on to pass down their culture and hopefully in turn send their children to the same school.

The Argentina Independent visited some of the parks in Buenos Aires to find out what people think about the government’s role in maintaining the language and culture of its indigenous peoples.

Paula Judkin, 42, Professor of Marketing, Palermo

I think it is a good idea. I like that the government is interested and active in maintaining the culture of the original people of the country. The indigenous people form an intricate part in our history and it would be a shame to lose any of that knowledge. The truth is there is not a lot of information or respect for native people here in Argentina. Schools have classes about indigenous people but it is not enough, it is very late in the education system. I think the natives have a right to learn both their language and Spanish. They should be able to preserve their language but I also think they need Spanish. I think it would be impossible to live and work in most parts of the country without knowing Spanish. I also think tourism is a great way to teach people here in Buenos Aires about the indigenous people in the interior of the country. People should be able to travel and learn about the different cultures that come with the different parts of our country.

Bessard Lynne Circee, 20, Occupational Therapy Student, Balvanera

I think this is very good because the indigenous people of Argentina were the first people to live here. They were here before Europe decided to explore, so technically this is their land that we live on. It is also good for children today to help teach them the history of the natives of Argentina. The school will help educate the people about the Qom language and the culture that comes with that language’s history. I also don’t think the cost is too much because it is the cost of education. This is going to help people understand, I think it will be very good and that school is the best way to do this. I don’t see anything in the near future that could overtake school as the best way to educate a country about its indigenous people. School is good because you start at a young age and by doing so you create a knowledge and respect of certain aspects of society like the natives and their culture.

Gabriel Rozengzeir, 44, Professor, Palermo 

 I think the school is great because I think indigenous populations should have the right to have their own language. They should be able to learn their original language in a school and should be able to use that language everyday. Maintaining the culture of the indigenous people is very important also. They were the first people here and right now I think they have the worst education across Argentina. At least the worst access to education in a cultural perspective. I also think using the taxes is a good idea to raise money for the cost of building the school. The most important thing is to educate the indigenous people about maintaining their land, their language, and their culture but it is difficult. How do you educate them about their financial problems? How do you decide what to educate them about and what not to? They must also learn their rights but it is difficult.

Agostina Lanzone, 21, Music Student, Palermo

I think this is a good idea because they should be able to speak in their own language. However, I also think they will need knowledge of Spanish because it is the official language of Argentina. It is fantastic that the government is willing to spend time and money on preserving the culture of the natives of the country. I think it should be a right of everyone that the government try to maintain his or her culture, not just Qom in Chaco but elsewhere in the country as well. I think here there are people who know about the different cultures and people who don’t know, it depends on the situation but most people don’t know. I think though that this kind of education should be in every school in Argentina, not just in Chaco.

Joaquín Bondoni, 22, Musician, Palermo

For me, yes, I think it is important to support the correct culture, and by that I mean the culture that applies to the people who are living in a certain area. The indigenous are people as much people as you and I are. They were the original inhabitants of this land. It is ironic because now we come and take their natural resources and pretend like they have no right to argue. It is also important to maintain their culture because if we integrate their children too much that culture could be lost for the future generations. I think the best way of maintaining that culture is through education. We need to create a respect for these people, we need to respect them and their land like visitors coming into a foreign country because really that’s what it is. Not everyone here is white. Anyone who’s travelled will know about the different cultures in Argentina but the people who stay in certain areas only learn from online, the internet; we are lacking that education in schools in general.