Co-Management Research Paper

The culture, language, and traditions of a myriad of indigenous tribes have been lost in the process of colonial capitalism. These structures are still popular in the world and eliminating them may take centuries. By then, many indigenous people will have suffered physically and mentally. In 2007, the U.N. adopted a resolution declaring the rights of indigenous people to security from violence and right to conservation of the environment. However, this resolution is simply words in the face of inaction. To remain indigenous, I believe indigenous people need to look towards a more practical measure to ensure the preservation of their safety, land, and culture that colonizers could accept – a mix of indigenous assimilation and autonomy through a co-operation or co-management framework. In this essay, I will review the co-management or co-operation framework and how it will aid indigenous futures through (1) violence against indigenous women in the U.S. and the (2) preservation of the forests and natural climate.
Indigenous …show more content…
Congress has made it difficult for tribal authorities to prosecute perpetrators as they have “prohibited tribal courts from trying non-Indian suspects and limiting the custodial sentences which tribal courts can impose for any one offense to 1 year” (Amnesty, 8). One year pales in comparison to the 8-12 years in U.S. state or federal courts. If the consequences do not deter criminal action, violence against indigenous women will continue - fostering itself into a vicious cycle of abuse against women, while perpetrators run free. Furthermore, jurisdictional issues complicate the process of investigating and prosecuting these crimes. The current system involves varying authorities between tribal, state, and federal governments. Because of jurisdictional issues, many law enforcement officials spend more time determining whether they can investigate the crime versus trying to solve the crime. The system cannot remain the