1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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., …

4. 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)

5. 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.