ABSTRACT

This book offers an Indigenous supplement to the rich and growing area of visual legal scholarship. Organized around three narratives, each with an associated politico-poetic reading, the book addresses three major global issues: climate change, the trade in human body parts and bio-policing. Manifesting and engaging the traditional storytelling mode of classical Indigenous ontology, these narratives convey legal and political knowledge, not merely through logical argument, but rather through the feelings of law and the understanding of lawful behaviour produced by their rhythm. Through its own performativity, therefore, the book demonstrates how classical Indigenous legal traditions remain vital to the now pressing challenge of making peace with the earth.

part |2 pages

Part I Visualizing Indigenous jurisprudence

chapter 1|2 pages

A poem: the originals

chapter 2|1 pages

Video clip

chapter 4|2 pages

The influential theories

chapter 5|3 pages

Retribalizing the tales

part |2 pages

Part II Climate change

chapter 6|1 pages

A poem: becoming history

chapter 7|3 pages

Some words

chapter 8|21 pages

The Wind Watchers’ tale: skinned alive

chapter 9|2 pages

A poem: so very different from us

part |2 pages

Part III The trade in body parts

part |2 pages

Part IV Bioinsecurity

part |2 pages

Part V Last words

chapter 19|1 pages

A poem: to the little people

chapter 20|4 pages

In conclusion: some reflective thoughts