Indigenous People, & Self-Government

Question 1

Define “Self-Identification”

Answer 1

• A right claimed by Indigenous people to determine by themselves who they are
• Indigenous communities argue that the question of who is and who is not indigenous should be left to the indigenous communities themselves not to the state.
• Some communities believe in restricting access to protect the value and benefits, while others believe that if there are more indigenous people then they will be stronger.
• Self-Identification is a process that accounts for the variations of indigenous identity across time and place.

1. Self-Identification as the original habitants of a given territory
2. Previous history that can be traced through written and orally
3. Cultural attachment to a particular area of land
4. Contingent vulnerability as a result of colonization
5. Want to maintain culture, way of living etc.

Ex. Canadian government said that women who married non-indigenous men would no longer be considered indigenous, and same for their kids. This policy was removed in 1985

Question 2

What are the 5 qualities that identify indigenous people

Answer 2

1. Self-Identification as the original habitants of a given territory
2. Previous history that can be traced through written and orally
3. Cultural attachment to a particular area of land
4. Contingent vulnerability as a result of colonization
5. Want to maintain culture, way of living etc.

Question 3

Define “Self-Determination”

Answer 3

A concept or principal wherein a people or nation have a human right to freedom from external occupation and colonial rule and to determine for themselves their destiny.

• “The right to freely determine their political status and to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development” UN Definition
• Most indigenous peoples are not looking to create new states

Question 4

Who are Indigenous Peoples?

Answer 4

• They had a historical history prior to colonial invasion
• They pre-occupied the land that was colonized
• Indigenous people are the non-dominant group in relations to other populations on their territory
• Indigenous people seek to preserve their history and territory, culture and identity for future.