For CHIRAPAQ, being indigenous does not depend on phenotype or social condition, but on the acknowledgement of a collective identity built on the basis of local and family traditions that relate to ancient cultural practices or to those transformed through contact with Western culture.   This is why self-identification is the affirmation of belonging to an indigenous culture.  CHIRAPAQ seeks to promote indigenous self-identification through training in individual and collective rights, and denouncing inequalities created on account of ethnic origin.