ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses these themes in four sections. The first considers the problem of defining indigenous peoples and argues that this is best done in relation to the emergence of a global movement of indigenous peoples, which Ronald Niezen calls indigenism. The second section identifies different ways in which indigenous sovereignty has been used and is especially interested in argument that discourse of sovereignty should be rejected by indigenous peoples for being alien to indigenous concepts of power and authority. Thirdly, the argument that sovereignty is indivisible in international law is discussed and rejected. The final section deals with the relevance of indigenous sovereignty for central government and suggests ways in which indigenous aims might be met. Indigenous sovereignty has no fixed definition and is connected not only to rights over territory but also to foundations of identity. If sovereignty is divisible, then the concept of indigenous sovereignty has some potentially important implications for structures and practices of central government.
