Pursuing the Path of Indigenization in the Era of Emergent International Law Governing the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

This Article argues that the meaningful revitalization of Indigenous nations depends upon engaging in a process of indigenization, the active pursuit of a distinct developmental path, culture, and identity. Significant barriers to indigenization include not only political, economic, and social obstacles, but also psychological reliance upon the colonizing nation, the inability to recall the memory of the colonization process upon one\u27s nation, and the pursuit of remedies to colonization that have the practical effect of promoting rather than alleviating its impact. In light of these barriers, the Article critically examines the extent to which indigenization may be assisted or undermined by efforts to develop international treaty law governing the rights of Indigenous peoples