Indigenous Peoples, Frontiers and Nation-States: Historical-Anthropological Reflections from the Brazil-Colombia-Peru and Brazil-France Borders

This paper analyzes, based on historical and ethnographic data, the discursive contradictions and practical tensions in the relationships between indigenous peoples and nation-states in the political borders Brazil-Colombia-Peru and Brazil-France (Overseas Department of French Guiana). The analysis focuses on the processes of nationalization and on the impact of different pro-Indian policies on the living conditions of the indigenous peoples in these border regions.