2 Views of Native Identity (B. Lawrence, 2004, p. 5-6)  Primordial (Essentialist)  Refers to an identity based on unbroken traditions (continuity)  Is reinforced by the Supreme Court of Canada  e.g., Delgamuukw decision, 1997  Instrumental (Constructionist)  refers to an identity based on conscious manipulation of traditions and cultural inventions, particularly as part of a nationalist ideology

Taiaiake Alfred’s Critique of the Primordialist-Instrumentalist Dichotomy  The primordialist vs instrumentalist dichotomy is a dangerous one, for there is no simple answer to how identities form and whether cultures change.  Identity is about how history is interpreted and who has the power and authority to determine a group’s identity or authenticity.

Bonita Lawrence’s Thesis on Native Identity  Government policies are designed to sever Native people from their communities. e.g., ….  Urban ‘mixed-blood’ Native people (‘UMBNP’) are seen as a danger by some FN leaders because UMBNPs may be prone to create a counter discourse on Indianness that affects the status quo in ‘Indian country’ in unpredictable ways. e.g., …

Lawrence on Government Regulation of Native Identity (slide 1 of 2)  Government has regulated Native identity in various ways e.g., ….  The goal of the government’s regulation of Native identity is to set the legal parameters by which indigenousness can be said to be eliminated. Examples of destructive (genocidal) policies:  Controlling Native identity is crucial to undermining Native resistance. (cont’d next slide)

Lawrence on Government Regulation of Native Identity (slide 2 of 2)  Government regulation of Native identity has become internalized by Native people themselves.  That internalization severely restricts the kind of future that Natives and non-Natives are capable of imagining.