In an era of globalization, leaders of “recognized” nations often discuss the development of indigenous resources without inviting aboriginal leaders to the table. Indigenous resistance to economic globalization is essential because neoliberal policies often impact, most heavily, traditional territories and ways of life, as well as indigenous peoples. Resisting the harmful social and environmental effects of such policies, social movements and activist organizations have become increasingly connected across borders.
Many Western states have justified their domination of indigenous peoples through racist, illogical theories such as terra nullius, by which indigenous lands are considered “unoccupied” and “empty,” their inhabitants deemed unable to manage their resources or conceive of property. Under such a policy, colonial and corporate elites, backed by a legal apparatus and scientific methods, are able to purchase and use land that does not belong to them. This collection comprises stories dealing with indigenous resistance to these harmful policies.