Tribal Traditions and European-Western Political Ideologies: The Dilemma of Canada's Native Indians

Abstract

Native Indian leaders in Canada have embraced the European-Western doctrine of sovereignty as the political-legal instrumentality for achieving their version of “the good society.” This article analyzes the appropriateness and feasibility of sovereign statehood for Canada's Indians. Indian aspirations to sovereign statehood run aground on at least two counts: key ideas contained in the European-Western doctrine of sovereignty are incompatible with core values comprising traditional Indian culture: also, the Canadian government is implacably opposed to relinquishing its sovereignty over Indians. This study explores alternative models of self-determination for Canada's Indians and concludes that stateless nationhood offers the best basis on which Indians may be able to negotiate internal self-determination.

Tribal Sovereignty and the Problem of Difference in Environmental Regulation: Observations on “Measured Separatism” in Indian Country

“…Generally, the argument is based on a notion of a universal human right to self‐determination for all peoples. The notions of self‐government embedded within these legal‐juridical notions of sovereignty as a political goal have also been critiqued within Native American Studies (Alfred 1999; Barsh 1986; Boldt and Long 1984; Deloria and Lytle 1984). These arguments assert that because “sovereignty” is a non‐Native, universalizing legal concept that fails to reflect indigenous values, it is therefore an inappropriate political goal for Native American indigenous groups.…”

What Good Condition? Reflections on an Australian Aboriginal Treaty 1986–2006

“…16 Russell 1996: 3. 17 Boldt and Long 1985: 342;also Hindess 1996: 14. 18 Boldt andLong, 1985: 335. Tully, 1995: 52, used the phrase 'unmonarched'.…”

“…Boldt and Long 1985: 335-7, and Tully 1995: 9, 36. 12 Tully 1995: 36.13 Webber, 1993: 136, echoes the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, 1974 whose own struggles, particularly with his class, led him to theorise that 'the limits of my language are the limits of my world'.…”

Missed meanings: the language of sovereignty in the treaty debate

“…Boldt and Long 1985: 335-7, and Tully 1995: 9, 36. 12 Tully 1995: 36.13 Webber, 1993: 136, echoes the philosopher LudwigWittgenstein, 1974, whose own struggles, particularly with his class, led him to theorise that 'the limits of my language are the limits of my world'.…”

“…Russell 1996: 3.17 Boldt and Long 1985: 342; also Hindess 1996: 14.18 Boldt and Long, 1985: 335. Tully, 1995: 52, used the phrase …”