NATIVE NATIVE SOVEREIGNTY SOVEREIGNTY
IN THE AMERICASIN THE AMERICAS
Dr. Zoltan GrossmanDr. Zoltan GrossmanFaculty member in GeographyFaculty member in Geographyand Native American Studies,and Native American Studies,The Evergreen State College, The Evergreen State College,
Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, Washingtonhttp://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz
Inuit (Eskimo) territory of NunavutInuit (Eskimo) territory of Nunavut
Canada
1999Inuit fully control 18% of new territory;Inuit fully control 18% of new territory;
What will happen to Dené region of NWT?What will happen to Dené region of NWT?
Near-Secession of Quebec, 1995Near-Secession of Quebec, 1995
Most French-speakers (blue)for independence from Canada
English-speakers and immigrants voted “No”
First nations against dams, etc.Cree & Inuit vote to stay Canada
CreeCree
InuitInuit
EnglishEnglish
50.6%49.4%
MohawkMohawk
InnuInnu
Nunavik
EeyouAstchee
Nitassinan
Hydropower dams on Hydropower dams on Quebec Cree lands Quebec Cree lands
Huge diversions of rivers
Hunting lands flooded
Mercury contamination of fish
Shorelines inaccessible
NY, VT consumers objected, delayed
Some tribes, individuals
did not accept the U.S.
Citizenship Act or
Canadian citizenship.
Indigenous passports
have been honored
by some countries.
““Trappings” of full sovereigntyTrappings” of full sovereignty
GreenlandGreenland
• Eskimo (Inuit) territory of Denmark
• Achieved Home Rule as Kalaallit Nunaat, 1981
• Separated from EU; minority favors independence
Kalaallit Nunaat
Kuna Yala (Panama)Kuna Yala (Panama)
Kuna Yala
•Kuna Indians along San Blas Islands coast
•Autonomy since 1920s
•Strengthened since 1989 U.S. invasion
Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region, NicaraguaNorthern Atlantic Autonomous Region, Nicaragua
• Misikto, Sumu and
Rama Indians
• War with Sandinista
government, 1980s;
won autonomy
• Conflicts with right-wing
gov’ts, miners, 1990s
R.A.A.N.
Zapatista revolt in MexicoZapatista revolt in Mexico
Began in Chiapas (Mayan state) when NAFTA implemented, January 1994
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GuatemalaGuatemalaMayan majorityMayan majority
CIA overthrows civilian government, 1954
Civil war between government & leftist rebels, 1961-96
Military & death squads genocide vs. 200,000 Indigenous
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Rigoberta Menchú,Nobel Peace Prize
recipient, 1992
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VenezuelaVenezuela
President Hugo Chavez
backed by many Indigenous
Oil, timber, mining industries
trample Amazon Natives
New promises of land returns,
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Brazilian AmazonBrazilian Amazon
Native peoples minorityconcentrated in \rainforest
Lands coveted for gold,timber, cattle. “Wild West”Violence against Indigenous
Indian movement has little support;Lands “safety valve” for urban poor
Yanomami Reservationoften invaded for resources
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Civil War in ColombiaCivil War in Colombia
• Civil war between
rightist government/
paramilitaries and
leftist rebels
Indigenous peoples caught
in middle; both sides want
resources, oppose land rights
U’wa U’wa vsvs. Oxy in Colombia. Oxy in Colombia
U’wa oppose oil drilling
by Occidental Oil
Support protests in L.A.
Tribal members repressed
by military, also rebels
3 Native supporters killed
in 1999
Oil in EcuadorOil in Ecuador
• Ecuador 2nd largest S. America producer
– 70% of exports
• Drilling in Amazon rainforest
Opposition to oil Opposition to oil companiescompanies
• Construction of roads, pipelines on Indian lands
• Displacement of Indians,
deforestation
• Oil leaks into rivers larger than Valdez spill
Ecuador Native occupationsEcuador Native occupations
Texaco withdrew 1992,Arco met demands
Lawsuit againstTexaco inU.S. courts, 1999
Ecuador coupsEcuador coups
Flag of the Indigenous Alliance, with Native leader Rumiñahui.
• 2001 junta includes
indigenous leader
New president ousted 2005
““Water War” in BoliviaWater War” in Bolivia
Cochabamba residents protestingBechtel privatization of
municipal water system, 1999
Bolivian electionBolivian election
• President Evo Morales victory symbolizes majority indigenous rule, 2005
• Quechua and Aymara, including miners
• Conflict with U.S. over coca eradication • Nationalized gas industry; activists in charge of water and mining ministries
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