About this book:

*Indigenous Resurgence: Contemporary Movements and Historical Roots* traces the multifaceted efforts of Indigenous nations across North and South America to reassert their political authority, protect their territories, and revitalize their cultural lifeways. Moving beyond mere resistance, the book defines "resurgence" as a generative practice of rebuilding ancestral governance systems while navigating the legal architectures of modern settler states. It roots these contemporary struggles in the sophisticated legal and diplomatic orders of pre-Columbian polities, illustrating how historical treaties and international instruments like UNDRIP and ILO 169 are strategically deployed today to demand free, prior, and informed consent in the face of expanding extractive frontiers.

The book examines specific flashpoints of mobilization, from the water protection movement at Standing Rock and the defense of unceded Wet’suwet’en title to the plurinational constitutional experiments in Bolivia and Ecuador. These case studies highlight the clash between state-centered development and Indigenous stewardship, particularly regarding the management of "shared" landscapes and the protection of biodiversity through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). Throughout these conflicts, the narrative emphasizes that legal battles in the Inter-American System or domestic courts are inseparable from the practical work of forest guardianship and the revival of traditional sciences, such as cultural burning and food sovereignty.

Central to the text is the transformative leadership of women, youth, and Two-Spirit individuals who are reshaping movement cultures and priorities. The book explores how these groups leverage digital activism and assert data sovereignty to control their own narratives and protect community knowledge from colonial extraction. It also addresses the complexities of urban and diasporic Indigeneity, showing that nationhood is not a static geographic inheritance but a mobile practice maintained through language immersion, community protocols, and the repatriation of ancestors and sacred belongings from museums.

Ultimately, the book frames Indigenous resurgence not as a relic of the past but as a vital, evolving force that offers alternative pathways for a just future. By moving from symbolic apologies toward material accountability and land restitution, Indigenous nations are challenging the monopoly of the state and offering regenerative models for ecological and social survival. For allies and policymakers, the text serves as a guide for engaging with these movements through a lens of respect, reciprocity, and the recognition of Indigenous peoples as co-equal sovereigns in the ongoing negotiation of the hemisphere’s future.

What You'll Find Inside:

• The book examines how Indigenous resurgence combines historical governance traditions with contemporary legal and cultural strategies across North and South America
• It analyzes key movements like Standing Rock, Wet'suwet'en, and Amazonian federations to illustrate evolving concepts of consent and territorial defense
• Chapters detail the intersection of legal battles, international norms (UNDRIP/ILO 169), and cultural revitalization as interconnected resurgence strategies
• Specific attention is given to the leadership of women, Two-Spirit people, and youth in transforming Indigenous political movements
• The work provides practical frameworks for allies and policymakers seeking to support Indigenous self-determination beyond consultation

Who's It For:

This book is essential for activists building campaigns grounded in community law, students seeking to understand living Indigenous legal traditions, and policymakers aiming to move beyond consultation toward shared governance and durable consent. It also serves all readers interested in how Indigenous nationhood and resurgence shape just futures across the Americas, offering concrete case studies and strategic insights for meaningful engagement with contemporary Indigenous movements.