The politics of indigeneity: Dialogues and reflections on indigenous activism. S. Venkateswar and E. Hughes, Eds. [Book Review]

Abstract

Review of The politics of indigeneity: Dialogues and reflections on indigenous activism. S. Venkateswar and E. Hughes, Eds. Zed Books, London, 2012, 2nd ed., ISBN 978 1 8481 3950 3, 256 pp. Just as the concept of indigeneity as debated through a range of voices as chronicled by this book evokes a political response; as reviewers, we had a similar response to the concept of writing this review. The volume is made up of a series of dialogues and reflections between indigenous peoples and “non-indigenous allies” from different parts of the world. As a team we also reflect this dichotomy: Helene has affiliations with Te Atiawa (tribe) and Ngati Rahiri (sub-tribe). She has a scholarly interest in the colonial history of New Zealand/Aotearoa and India, as well as post-colonial literature of the revisionist histories and stories of the previously colonised. Sue, on the other hand, describes herself as a pakeha New Zealander, development practitioner, and non-indigenous ally. We each read the book through different eyes, seeking understanding through our different positions.