Indigenous Peoples and International Trade

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is seen primarily as an international human rights instrument. However, the Declaration also encompasses cultural, social and economic rights. Taken in the context of international trade and investment, the UN Declaration is a valuable tool to support economic self-determination of Indigenous peoples. This volume explores the emergence of Indigenous peoples' participation in international trade and investment, as well as how it is shaping legal instruments in environment and trade, intellectual property and traditional knowledge. One theme that is explored is agency. From amicus interventions at the World Trade Organization to developing a future precedent for a 'Trade and Indigenous Peoples Chapter', Indigenous peoples are asserting their right to patriciate in decision-making. The authors, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous experts on trade and investment legal, provide needed ideas and recommendations for governments, academia and policy thinkers to achieve economic reconciliation.

“'... remarkable ... Indigenous Peoples and International Trade significantly contributes to our understanding of an essential but under-examined subject.' J. Anthony VanDuzer, Journal of World Investment & Trade”

'… remarkable … Indigenous Peoples and International Trade significantly contributes to our understanding of an essential but under-examined subject.' J. Anthony VanDuzer, Journal of World Investment & Trade
'… fills an important gap within the international trade and investment and indigenous peoples' socioeconomic development discourse, as it provides valuable context for understanding the present predicament of indigenous peoples in their quest to attain sustainable development … Indigenous Peoples and International Trade advances pragmatic and well-reasoned ideas to improve the current global economic development structure and expands the platform of international trade and investment agreements to accommodate indigenous perspectives and to facilitate inclusive socioeconomic conditions for indigenous peoples throughout the world.' Jide James-Eluyode, Journal of International Economic Law

John Borrows is the Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law School in British Columbia. He is the author of numerous publications, including Resurgence and Reconciliation (2018) and Law's Indigenous Ethics (2019). He is the 2017 Killam Prize winner in Social Sciences and the 2019 Molson Prize Winner. John is Anishinaabe/Ojibway and a member of the Chippewa of the Nawash First Nation in Ontario, Canada. Risa Schwartz is a sole practitioner, focusing on international law and the intersections between trade law, environmental law and Indigenous rights. Risa was a senior research fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, an International Law think tank in Canada. Risa is the author and editor of a number of international law publications including, most recently, Braiding Legal Orders: Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2019).

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