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Looking at the issue of "self-determination" where indigenous peoples are concerned, with the issue of land claims and self-government here's some questions for debate here.
In the USA, Native American nations are considered to be "sovereign domestic dependent nations" under US law. The various Native American reservations and pueblos are thus self-governing entities which while not independent of the USA, can act independently of state governments. This is defined under US law as tribal sovereignty.
In Canada, the various First Nations and Inuit groups have made moves towards various forms of self-government. The largest of the native land claims so far resulted in the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999, this being the third territory of Canada meaning that it has responsibilities and institutions analogous to the other territories.
Other land claims in Canada will, however, result in something of a third level of government being created beneath federal and provincial/territorial governments. Examples of this are the Tli Cho people of the Northwest Territories whose land claims agreement was signed last year, and of the Inuit in Labrador whose final agreement is in the process of being ratified resulting in the self-governing region of Nunatsiavut.
The question I have is, is there a possibility of something similar happening in Australia with regards to our indigenous peoples? Is there even a similar legal or historical basis for indigenous self-government as there would be in the USA and Canada?
In the USA, Native American nations are considered to be "sovereign domestic dependent nations" under US law. The various Native American reservations and pueblos are thus self-governing entities which while not independent of the USA, can act independently of state governments. This is defined under US law as tribal sovereignty.
In Canada, the various First Nations and Inuit groups have made moves towards various forms of self-government. The largest of the native land claims so far resulted in the creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999, this being the third territory of Canada meaning that it has responsibilities and institutions analogous to the other territories.
Other land claims in Canada will, however, result in something of a third level of government being created beneath federal and provincial/territorial governments. Examples of this are the Tli Cho people of the Northwest Territories whose land claims agreement was signed last year, and of the Inuit in Labrador whose final agreement is in the process of being ratified resulting in the self-governing region of Nunatsiavut.
The question I have is, is there a possibility of something similar happening in Australia with regards to our indigenous peoples? Is there even a similar legal or historical basis for indigenous self-government as there would be in the USA and Canada?

