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Rubén Patagonia, Voice of Patagonian Indigenous Culture, Dies at 69

INAMU confirmed the death, closing a career that fused ancestral Patagonian sounds with contemporary forms to elevate Indigenous issues nationally.

Overview

  • The singer and activist, born Rubén Chauque, died in his hometown of Comodoro Rivadavia after a recent hospitalization.
  • His family had publicly sought blood donors in the days before his death, and local residents responded, though his illness was not disclosed.
  • A descendant of Tehuelches, he began performing in 1971, released his debut album in 1979, and in 1984 launched the didactic workshop Volver a Ser Uno.
  • He collaborated with major Argentine artists and bands, bridged folk and rock audiences, and appeared in notable films including La película del Rey.
  • Most outlets reported his age as 69, though at least one report listed 67, reflecting a minor discrepancy in coverage.