Mainstreaming Indigeneity by Indigenizing Policymaking: Towards an Indigenous Grounded Analysis Framework as Policy Paradigm

Abstract

Conflicting narratives contest the politics of indigeneity. A prevailing narrative is that of poverty and powerlessness. Indigenous peoples worldwide remain structurally excluded and culturally marginalized because of a pervasive (neo-)colonialism (Maybury-Lewis, 2002; Maaka, and Andersen 2006). The systemic discrimination that dominates political and policymaking spheres through inaction, silence, and indifference generates both misery and marginalization at individual or group levels (Battiste 2009). Even in seemingly progressive settler societies like Canada and New Zealand, Indigenous peoples continue to experience punishing levels of poverty and disempowerments whose sources (and solutions) are systemic and foundational rather than attitudinal and incidental (Maaka and Fleras 2005). Nevertheless, formal initiatives to address systemic barriers and neo-colonialist mindsets by incorporating an indigenous centered policymaking agenda are rarely tested or theorized.