MAAKA, Roger CA and ANDERSEN, Chris (eds.) (2006) The Indigenous experience: Global perspectives. Toronto, Canadian Scholars’ Press, 366 p. (ISBN 978-1-55130-300-0)

As a primer on global indigeneity, The Indigenous experience edited by Roger Maaka and Chris Andersen is accessible, focused, well rounded, and student-friendly. This volume contains 21 handpicked essays written by 24 Indigenous studies scholars between 1990 and 2005. Divided into four sections, each section is opened by an introduction by the editors and followed by a series of critical thinking questions as well as a list of further readings with blurbs. The opening and closing to each section serves to explain the central themes of the readings, to help students consolidate the conceptual material, and to wayfare the Indigenous studies literature. Part one, ‘Colonization and Indigenous peoples’, examines the local views and global perspectives on colonization. The opening from David Maybury-Lewis’ book, Indigenouspeoples, ethnic groups, and the state, offers a satisfying historical introduction. This is followed nicely by an excerpt from Grant McCall’s second edition of Rapanui: Tradition and survival on Easter Island, Brett Walker’s non-Western case study demonstrating that the subjugation and decimation of indigenous peoples is not exclusive to European conquest, and Michael Dudley and Keoni Agard’s history of the US colonization of Hawai’i taken from their book on Hawaiian sovereignty. This section is appropriately closed with Linda Smith’s reflections on the ethnocentrism and epistemological imperialism of Western knowledge. Part two, ‘Colonialism, genocide, and the problem of intention’, maps the negative consequences of colonization and the ways that nation-states have ostensibly attempted to redress the situation. This section begins with an evocative extract from a 1992 statement by Russell Means, founder of the American Indian Movement, who spoke of “a little matter of genocide”, referring to the ongoing genocide of Native peoples beginning with the first European boats landing on Turtle Island. Means’ statement inspired the title of Ward Churchill’s book, A little matter of genocide (1999). Frankly, given the power and sentiment of Means’ words, it is surprising that the statement is not an epigraph to Maaka and Andersen’s entire volume. The adverse impacts of colonialism were not always intentional, as Noble Cook’s discussion of compound epidemics demonstrates. However, many impacts were deliberately systematic, as the chapters by Colin Tatz as well as Suzanne Fournier and Ernie Crey compellingly portray. Richard Robbins, in the final chapter of this section, details a more insidious and nuanced collapse of Indigenous autonomy through the culture of capitalism. Part three, ‘Social constructs of colonialism’, will really invigorate class discussion on questions of truth and discourse. Stuart Hall unpacks the concept of the West and introduces students to a treasure chest of conceptual tools. Audra Simpson discusses the creation and maintenance of collective indigenous identity among the Kahnawake Mohawk nation, an identity that challenges the geo-political boundaries between the US and Canada. Chris Cuneen investigates the social relations that lead to an over-representation of indigenous people in the Australian criminal justice system. Matthew Restall debunks the false assumption that Indigenous peoples are bound to extinction as a result of conquest and colonialism. And, Sarah Carter examines the self-fulfilling policies that viewed the Cree of western Canada as poor farmers and subsequently impeded their ability to compete with non-Native farmers. Part four, ‘The Indigenous struggle and the politics of indigeneity’, explores the aspirations of Indigenous peoples to regain their autonomy. Anthony Hall takes a global perspective on Indigenous movements, Trond Thuen describes the persistent necessity of Indigenous peoples to explain their identity, their rights, and the politicization of their peoplehood. Ronald Niezen highlights the significance of self-determination, distinguishes between people and peoples, and discusses the politics of shame. Joe Sawchuk examines the political organization of Indigenous people and the …