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NATIVE SOVEREIGNTY IN THE AMERICAS. Dr. Zoltan Grossman Faculty member in Geography and Native American Studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz. Canadian Treaties 1,200 tiny reserves today. xxxxx.
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NATIVE SOVEREIGNTY IN THE AMERICAS Dr. Zoltan Grossman Faculty member in Geography and Native American Studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washingtonhttp://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz
Inuit (Eskimo) territory of Nunavut Inuit fully control 18% of new territory; What will happen to Dené region of NWT? 1999 Canada
Near-Secession of Quebec, 1995 49.4% 50.6% Nunavik Inuit 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 Nitassinan Eeyou Astchee Innu Cree English Mohawk
Hydropower dams on Quebec Cree lands Huge diversions of rivers Hunting lands flooded Mercury contamination of fish Shorelines inaccessible NY, VT consumers objected, delayed
“Trappings” of full sovereignty Some tribes, individuals did not accept the U.S. Citizenship Act or Canadian citizenship. Indigenous passports have been honored by some countries.
Greenland Kalaallit Nunaat • Eskimo (Inuit) territory of Denmark • Achieved Home Rule as Kalaallit Nunaat, 1981 • Separated from EU; minority favors independence
Kuna Yala (Panama) • Kuna Indians along San Blas Islands coast • Autonomy since 1920s • Strengthened since 1989 U.S. invasion Kuna Yala
Northern 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 Mexico • Began in Chiapas (Mayan state) when NAFTA implemented, January 1994
GuatemalaMayan majority CIA overthrows civilian government, 1954 Civil war between government & leftist rebels, 1961-96 Military & death squads genocide vs. 200,000 Indigenous Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, 1992
Venezuela President Hugo Chavez backed by many Indigenous Oil, timber, mining industries trample Amazon Natives New promises of land returns, representation in Senate
Brazilian Amazon Native peoples minority concentrated 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 Reservation often invaded for resources
Civil 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 vs. 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 Ecuador • Ecuador 2nd largest S. America producer • 70% of exports • Drilling in Amazon rainforest
Opposition to oil companies • Construction of roads, pipelines on Indian lands • Displacement of Indians, deforestation • Oil leaks into rivers larger than Valdez spill
Ecuador Native occupations Texaco withdrew 1992, Arco met demands Lawsuit against Texaco in U.S. courts, 1999
Ecuador coups • 2001 junta includes indigenous leader New president ousted 2005 Flag of the Indigenous Alliance, with Native leader Rumiñahui.
“Water War” in Bolivia Cochabamba residents protesting Bechtel privatization of municipal water system, 1999
Bolivian 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