Those Who Came First: A Comparison of Indigenous
                Rights (by Rustam Dow)

Indigenous populations are not enjoying the full benefits of globalization. Global solidarity with indigenous movements like the Zapatista's of Chiapas, Mexico is one example of indigenous peoples who are benefiting from globalization; however, it is a reasonable conclusion that economic globalization is a phenomenon produced and managed by a cadre of global-economic elites who serve their own interests, not those of indigenous peoples. In fact, the efforts of these elites, which manifest themselves in international institutions like the World Bank and the IMF, work to intensively pillage indigenous resources with the cooperation of multinationals who do so in the name of free trade or neo-liberalism.

Bolivia's recent move to nationalize its oil resources in the face of globalization and high global demand is an act of indigenous resistance and solidarity in the name of socio-economic justice. This serves as an act of colonial resistance, making up for centuries upon centuries of culture hijacked first by Spanish imperialism and now by the more insidious international money lenders, corporations and neo-liberals. Bolivia's nationalization of oil also stands as a prototype for all lands appropriated from indigenous people, including the internally colonized Canadian First Nations.

Socio-economic justice and indigenous communities are two concepts that rarely intersect. Governments that are the legacy of colonial and imperialist regimes have traditionally served their own interests, and presently they serve those of neo-liberal and neo-conservative global free market rationales and values. As a result, indigenous resources, siphoned out of countries to the benefit of global-market shareholders, are to the detriment of already marginalized indigenous ways of life.

Currently, Bolivia stands as a nation that is successfully resisting the appropriation of national resources by foreign multinationals. Bolivia's revolution comes in the form of indigenous resistance, headed by the country's first "full-blooded" indigenous leader, Evo Morales.

Bolivia has a predominantly Amerindian and Mestizos population (the equivalent of the Metis in North America). The nation has been described as "a people crucified by revolution, its victims, its perpetrators, and its heroes". Bolivia's current Amerindian President, Evo Morales, represents a victory for an ethnic underclass that had been long oppressed by "white" Spanish elites.

In 1570, the conquistadors coercively imposed the mita labor system on the region's indigenous people. This oppressive and inhumane system created a steady flow of indigenous toil to exploit the region's mines. Mercantilism was the global economic force during this epoch and Creole and European aristocrats were attracted to the Andean region by the economic incentive of its vast resources and plentiful slave labor. Today, along with the remnants of Spanish imperialism in the lowlands, the aristocrats have been replaced with multinational corporations like Bechtel, which have tried, but failed, to continue this form of exploitation under the guise of neo-liberal reforms and puppet regimes (refer to the water war of Cochabamba).

The Quencha, along with other indigenous groups in Bolivia, have endured many hardships, which in effect worked to shame them of their identity; however, thanks to the Intellectual Revolution of 1952 and the first truly nationalist government, Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucinario (MNR), today Bolivians staunchly uphold their indigenous national-identity.

"White" elitist remnants still pervade in the lowland economic center of Santa Cruz; however, the indigenous president reigns in the highlands of Laz Paz. Western Media has portrayed Morales as being committed to bringing economic justice to the country's indigenous and poor through measures like nationalizing their oil resources. As a Westerner, I believe that it is inappropriate for me to speak on behalf of the country's marginalized as to whether or not they have received any substantial benefits from this decision; however, it is a sign of hope for Latin America's poorest nation.

In Canada, the dream of such a revolution died upon the execution of Louis Riel. Canada's First Nations have no meaningful self-government. They are subject to internal colonialism and ongoing ethnocide. Alberta's oil sands provide wage labour for some First Nations people; however, true economic justice and empowerment would come if they themselves controlled the oil sands. The truest citizens of this land receive the scraps of this multi-million dollar industry. This example raises questions about the environmental effects of such an industry; however, it is to demonstrate the point that native control over resources is a form of social and economic justice, not simply wage labor.

Economic justice and self-government for Canada's First Nations citizens is unlikely for demographic reasons. In addition, solidarity is fragmented by Canada's vast geography. Bolivia, on the other hand, is a restricted territory with overwhelming concentrations of indigenous people throughout the land.

Bolivia is relevant to Canada because their progress serves as a vision of empowerment for a cherished segment of our society, which has experienced deep-seated injustice for generations. Pardons and throwing dollars (30 thousand per head affected by residential schools) and Parliamentary Committees will not undo the unjust treatment received by Canada's First Nations. With a coup to reclaim natural resources for the sake of building and ameliorating the social infrastructure of native communities and not to build the mansions of oil tycoons, traditional and self-governance is a step towards many varieties of justice. Our government lives by the creed of universal equality among all citizens of this land; however, we are not all equal. It is the First Nations who have priority over these resources, not a cadre of economic elites wishing to get rich off the theft and environmental neglect of indigenous resources.

Although this form of economic justice has not reached the North, it is comforting to know that significant measures towards compensating centuries of colonial abuse is being compensated through the triumph of indigenous resistance in the South.

Sources

Morales, Waltraud Q. "A brief history of Bolivia". New York: Facts On File. 2003.

Morales, Waltraud Q. "Bolivia. Westview profiles. Nations of contemporary Latin America". Boulder: Westview Press. 1992.

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