Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
Browse

Constellations of Indigeneity: The Power of Definition

Download (349.03 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2022-09-14, 03:39 authored by Claire TimperleyClaire Timperley
Lack of attention to definitions of indigeneity is a problem in both political theory and practice. Defining indigeneity has at least two important consequences: (a) it affects who has access to resources or rights reserved for Indigenous peoples; and (b) it shapes the kinds of privileges and resources available to Indigenous peoples. In this article, I draw on Theodor Adorno’s concept of ‘nonidentity’ as a resource for exploring the power and limits of conceptions of indigeneity. I argue that recognizing the non-identical aspects of indigeneity enables critical engagement with constellations of concepts that attend to the distinctive aspects of indigeneity in particular moments and locations. To illustrate my argument, I draw on one conception of indigeneity that could be characterized as non-identity thinking – a research approach called Kaupapa Māori. I suggest that non-identity is a promising resource for conceptualizing indigeneity as it has potential to respond to some of the key problems with current responses to indigeneity; notably, that universal definitions may not best represent what it means to be Indigenous, and that unreflective acceptance of current definitions fails to produce just outcomes.

History

Preferred citation

Timperley, C. (2020). Constellations of Indigeneity: The Power of Definition. Contemporary Political Theory, 19(1), 38-60. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41296-019-00334-y

Journal title

Contemporary Political Theory

Volume

19

Issue

1

Publication date

2020-01-30

Pagination

38-60

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publication status

Published

Contribution type

Article

Online publication date

2019-07-09

ISSN

1470-8914

eISSN

1476-9336

Language

en