Work · Indigenous Philosophies
Peace, Power, Righteousness: An Indigenous Manifesto
Drawing on the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace, the book criticises Indigenous leaders who adopted the state’s agenda of self-government, rejects state sovereignty as a goal and calls for a leadership grounded in traditional values of consensus and non-coercive authority.
Introduction
Alfred published “Peace, Power, Righteousness: An Indigenous Manifesto” with Oxford University Press Canada in 1999. Alfred presents it both as a scholarly essay on the political issues facing Indigenous peoples and as a philosophical reflection rooted in tradition, drawing on the teachings of the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace. The chapters move from Native political traditions, political elites and the abuse of power to “Sovereignty: An Inappropriate Concept”, colonial mentalities, co-optation, self-conscious traditionalism, leadership, responsibility, money and modern treaties, and close with words addressed to young people. On publication its portrait of band-council leaders and of the Assembly of First Nations caused controversy. A second edition (2009) added a new preface and a dialogue with Vine Deloria Jr. recorded in 2005.
Connections
Taken up in
- Wasáse: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom2005 · Taiaiake Alfred
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