Indigenous Peoples and Neoliberal “Privatization” in Canada: Opportunities, Cautions and Constraints

摘要

The coexistence of a neoliberal political context and the increasing strengthnof various Indigenous movements provides a crucial point of criticalninquiry for those of us interested in Indigenous–state relations in Can-nada. While some observers have argued that the neoliberal context pro-nvides new opportunities or points of entry in the political opportunitynstructure for “self-government” initiatives ~Helvin, 2006; Scott, 2006;nSlowey, 2008!, this paper explores the emergence of what I call neolib-neral Aboriginal governance. This term refers to specific state-craftednresponses to Indigenous demands that are part of a broader governmentalnstrategy of neoliberalism.n1nThis strategy is not simply about meeting thendemands of Indigenous peoples but also about meeting the requirementsnof the contemporary governmental shift towards “privatization” within lib-neral democratic states. Touted by the state as enhancing Indigenous auton-nomy, these policies appear to respond to Indigenous demands but serve anneoliberal welfare state agenda and, as a result, their effects often run innopposition to meaningful autonomy for Indigenous peoples.n2