Theorizing the Origins and Advancement of Indigenous Activism: the Case of the Russian North a Dissertation Submitted in Partial
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Theorizing the Origins and Advancement of Indigenous Activism: The Case of the Russian North A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at George Mason University By Irina L. Stoyanova Master of Science George Mason University, 2006 Director: Peter J. Balint, Professor of Environmental Policy Department of Public and International Affairs Summer Semester 2009 George Mason University Fairfax, VA DEDICATION За Лидия и Любомир ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I first wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to the professors who guided my thought and helped me complete this research. I would foremost like to thank my Advisor and Chair of my dissertation committee, Dr. Peter J. Balint. Without his invaluable intellectual guidance, patience, constructive reviewing and critiquing this dissertation would not have been realized. Similarly, special thanks go to the members of my dissertation committee – Dr. Susan A. Crate, Dr. Lee M. Talbot, and Dr. Thomas R. Williams. They have all been extremely generous with their time and have offered me critical insights to this project. I also like to thank the Environmental Science and Policy Department for the financial support during my first years of graduate studies and especially the two Graduate Programs Coordinators – Dr. Ron Stewart and Mrs. Annaliesa Guilford – who expertly assisted me through all the administrative obstacles. Very special thanks are due to Jessica and Andrew Stowe who provided me with a much needed quiet environment where I can do my writing. During the last three years of my graduate studies, they offered me more than just a room within their home; they became a second family for me. Similarly, I thank Jenny and Mike Biddle who too sheltered me on numerous occasions during my many commutes between New York and Virginia. For valuable feedback on my writing style, I thank Cheryl Ross. Last but by no means least, I thank the people most dear to my heart – Emil and my parents Lydia and Lyubomir. Emil’s unwavering patience and understanding, his love and faith in me kept me sane during the long days and nights of research and writing. Without a doubt, the two people who deserve particularly deep and special thanks are my parents. Without their ceaseless encouragement, selfless support, and unconditional care and love I would never have been able to come to this country and accomplish what I have. Thank you mom and dad! iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................... x ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................................... 1 Introduction of My Theoretical Model .............................................................................. 6 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................. 12 Preliminary Examination of the Institutions/Actors ........................................................ 15 Increased Mobilization of Indigenous Peoples within their States at both Local and National Levels ................................................................................... 15 Normative Shifts within International Institutions (international intergovernmental institutions, international NGOs, and advocacy groups) ....... 17 Increase of Supportive Scholarly and Popular Writings ...................................... 25 Preliminary Theory: How Does Indigenous Mobilization Emerge ................................. 29 My Central Argument: Top-down vs. Bottom-up ........................................................... 31 Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 33 Delimitations of the Study ............................................................................................... 34 Layout of the Dissertation ................................................................................................ 34 CHAPTER II: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................. 40 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 40 Participant-Observation / “Fieldwork” ............................................................................ 43 What the Method Entails ..................................................................................... 43 Significance of the Method .................................................................................. 48 Being There ...................................................................................................................... 55 How I got there .................................................................................................... 55 The Venue ............................................................................................................ 56 The People at the UNPFII .................................................................................... 58 Agenda, Special Themes, and Program of Work of the UNPFII ......................... 60 iv How the Days Progressed .................................................................................... 60 Interviews ......................................................................................................................... 65 What the Method Entails ..................................................................................... 65 Significance of the Method .................................................................................. 70 Archival Research and Document Analysis .................................................................... 71 What the Method Entails ..................................................................................... 71 Significance of the Method .................................................................................. 73 Limitation of the Methodology ........................................................................................ 74 CHAPTER III: PRELIMINARY ISSUES: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................... 76 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 76 “Indigenous Peoples”: Well Established but Notoriously Ambiguous Term .................. 79 Indigenous Peoples vs. Minorities ....................................................................... 84 Indigenous Peoples as “Traditional” Peoples ...................................................... 86 Some Key Definitions .......................................................................................... 88 Statistics on Indigenous Peoples .......................................................................... 94 Ongoing Common Challenges Indigenous Peoples Face ................................................ 97 Indigenous Peoples in International Law ....................................................................... 108 Rights Indigenous Peoples Seek / The Ideas of the Indigenous Rights Movement / Essential Characteristics of Indigenous Mobilizing ...................... 108 The Strong Ecological Thread in Indigenous Peoples’ Rhetoric ....................... 116 Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 120 CHAPTER IV: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ STRUGGLE FOR RIGHTS: A BRIEF COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ACROSS THE GLOBE ................. 122 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 122 Central and South America ............................................................................................ 129 Indigenous Peoples at a Glance ......................................................................... 129 Leadership, Organization, and Strategies .......................................................... 129 Motivational Dynamics: The Issues at Hand ..................................................... 134 Outcomes ........................................................................................................... 135 North America: Focus on Canada .................................................................................. 138 Indigenous Peoples at a Glance ......................................................................... 138 Leadership, Organization, and Strategies .......................................................... 138 Motivational Dynamics: The Issues at Hand ..................................................... 141 Outcomes ........................................................................................................... 142 The Arctic: Focus on the Saami ....................................................................................