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Property Power and Indigenous Sovereignty in Indigenous Americas: A Comprehensive Examination

John Milton

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Published in The White Possessive: Property Power And Indigenous Sovereignty (Indigenous Americas)

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Property power, deeply embedded in colonial structures and legal systems, has played a pivotal role in shaping the relationship between indigenous peoples and settler societies in the Americas. The concept of property, often defined as the exclusive right to own, use, and dispose of land and resources, has been used to justify the dispossession of indigenous peoples from their traditional territories, the extraction of natural resources, and the imposition of foreign economic and political systems. However, indigenous communities have consistently resisted these encroachments on their sovereignty, asserting their inherent rights to self-determination and the protection of their lands, cultures, and ways of life.

The White Possessive: Property, Power, and Indigenous Sovereignty (Indigenous Americas)

by Aileen Moreton-Robinson

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	900 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	272 pages

Historical Evolution of Property Power in the Americas

The concept of private property as an individual right emerged in Europe during the Enlightenment period and was subsequently incorporated into the legal systems of colonizing powers. When European settlers arrived in the Americas, they encountered indigenous societies that had diverse and complex systems of land tenure and resource management. However, these systems were often not recognized or respected by the colonizers, who imposed their own property laws and institutions.

Through a combination of warfare, treaties, and legal processes, indigenous peoples were gradually dispossessed of their lands and resources. Colonizers often claimed that indigenous peoples did not "own" the land in the same way that Europeans did, as they did not engage in private property ownership or develop the land in ways that were deemed "productive" by European standards. This dispossession laid the foundation for the establishment of settler colonies and the exploitation of indigenous lands and resources.

Contemporary Manifestations of Property Power

The legacy of colonial property power continues to shape the relationship between indigenous peoples and settler societies in the Americas today. Indigenous communities often face challenges in asserting their rights to land and resources due to the dominance of private property laws and the ongoing impacts of colonization.

For example, many indigenous communities in the United States and Canada have long been involved in land claims disputes with the government and private landowners. These disputes often involve the recognition of treaty rights, the protection of sacred sites, and the right to traditional land use practices. Additionally, indigenous communities often face challenges in accessing and benefiting from the economic development of their traditional territories, as their rights to land and resources are often not fully recognized or respected by governments and corporations.

Ongoing Struggles for Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination

Indigenous peoples in the Americas have consistently resisted the imposition of colonial property power and asserted their inherent rights to self-determination. This resistance has taken many forms, including legal challenges, political activism, and grassroots organizing.

In recent decades, there has been some progress in recognizing indigenous rights at the international and domestic levels. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),adopted in 2007, affirms the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination, land, resources, and cultural practices. However, the implementation of UNDRIP and other international standards remains a challenge in many countries.

The relationship between property power and indigenous sovereignty in the Americas is a complex and ongoing issue. The historical dispossession of indigenous peoples from their lands and resources through colonial property laws and institutions has had a profound impact on indigenous communities and their ability to exercise self-determination. However, indigenous peoples continue to resist these encroachments on their sovereignty and assert their inherent rights to land, culture, and self-governance. The ongoing struggles for indigenous rights and self-determination are essential for creating a more just and equitable future for all.

The White Possessive: Property, Power, and Indigenous Sovereignty (Indigenous Americas)

by Aileen Moreton-Robinson

4.9 out of 5