Indigenous Peoples and Autonomy

This innovative collection examines how Indigenous peoples in various contexts have thought about, and responded to, the pressures of globalization on their cultural, political, and geographical autonomy.

This book looks at how indigenous peoples in various contexts have thought about, and responded to, the pressures that globalization has on their cultural, political, and geographical autonomy.When the UN adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007, it brought the negative effect of globalization on the lives of Indigenous peoples to the centre of public debate. The contributors to this innovative collection extend the discussion by asking what can Indigenous peoples’ experiences with and thoughts on globalization tell us about the relationship between globalization and autonomy and the meaning of the concepts themselves?

Indigenous Peoples and Autonomy brings together scholars from multiple disciplines and backgrounds who seek answers to this question in grounded case studies. Whether the focus is on sea rights among Torres Strait Islanders, James Bay Cree co-governance, the transformation of East Cree spirituality, or the co-optation of linguistics by Mayan activists, each chapter opens a window to view how Iindigenous people are engaging with and challenging globalization and Western views of autonomy.