Indigenous Anarchism

Wondering what to post on this, the  last day of a bad year for too many people in Otautahi, I'm drawn to fleshing out the links between Indigenous political strategies and anarchism. The majority of my (positive) experiences of being Maori echo the anarcho-syndicalist tactics. I'm particularly drawn to the concept that political parties are not only unnecessary for social change but actually hold it back. What can we hope from the Maori Party, or Mana? More Maori in the decision-making process?  What will a reformed Labour Party offer? A bigger slice of the (still shrinking) pie! Indeed the common tenor of complaints and protest seem to be exactly what anarchists are calling for: 'the abolition of economic monopolies and of all political and social coercive institutions.'



Source: http://anarchismtoday.org/coppermine/displayimage/album=3/pos=1.html

Some basic gleanings...

1. Everything is alive.
2. Nothing is an object.
3. Memory is ascendant.
4. An indigenous anarchism is an anarchism of place.
5. You are an irremovable part of an extended family.

I'm further drawn to the eradication of borders, not least because of my insight from a trip to Arizona two years ago. Being an island dwelling people, Polynesians have a different history but remain committed to respectful visitation and proud hosting. Essentially capital is not just free to move but compelled to be mobile. The movement of people, however, is constrained, controlled, and coerced (as labour). Land - the other component in the capitalist triptych - is likewise co-opted into the production of profit. We seem no better off for our willingness to engage in the equation...

Once more Maori enter the New Year with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

                                                                 Kia pai to Tau Hou!
                                                                          Arohanui
 
 Readings
Anarcho-syndicalism in the 20th Century by Vadim Damier
Anarcho-Syndicalism by Rudolf Rocker


Source: http://anarchistnews.org/?q=node/7822