One of the (intended) effects of the book is to bring the consideration of
indigenous peoples' political perspective into the mainstream of issues
considered important by international relations scholars. I believe I am
seeing some of this now. I just returned from the International Studies
Association conference where "indigenous rights" was cited as one of three
major categories of ethnic conflict during the public address of the
Association's incoming president. I also learned of at least one major
international relations textbook now revised to include (I don't know how
briefly) reference to indigenous peoples. Since I also just completed a
review of political science textbooks (American Govt and Int. Rel among
other topics) in order to assess the degree to which indigenous peoples'
political perspectives and realities are included, I am heartened by the one
revision I have now heard of. (The review, by the way, will be published in
June if anyone is interested).
I have organized one panel on this topic for the American Political Science
Association -- and encountered some resistance here. I have been asked,
this time, by the International Studies Association to try to organize
several panels on indigenous peoples' politics for the 1995 meeting in
Chicago.
I would like to know if anyone -- activist or academic -- would be
interested in joining me for a panel or two or three. The number and topic
will be determined by those indicated by interested participants.
Academics, I hope, will be able to get funding for travel through their
departments. But I may be able to get some funding from the Association
and related sections for activists or anyone who would like to bring their
expertise on indigenous peoples' politics to bear on those in this field
(international relations).
Please email me at:
or
Franke Wilmer
Dept of Political Science
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
406-994-5246