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2008 Student Paper Competition,
Indigenous Peoples Specialty Group

Student Paper Competition > 2008

2008 International Indigenous Geographies Graduate Student Paper Award

In honor of the 2008 joint meeting of the AAG, CAG and IGU Indigenous Peoples organizations, the Indigenous Peoples Specialty Group of the AAG (IPSG) and the Indigenous Peoples Knowledges and Rights Commission of the IGU (IPKRC) co-sponsored the International Indigenous Geographies Graduate Student Paper Award. Papers were evaluated on their overall contribution to new knowledge and understanding in the geographies of Indigenous peoples.

1st place: Charles (Chuck) Lippstreu, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"Bolivia on New Terms: Evo Morales and Indigenous Socialism"

Abstract:

When Evo Morales was elected president of Bolivia in early 2006, he stepped into significantly more than a title role at the helm of one of the most impoverished ¬- and one of the most Indigenous – states in Latin America. Morales was suddenly a social icon. He faced an immediate need to define indigenous socialism for the world, based within the place-based struggles of Bolivia's Indigenous peoples. Because it focuses on an empowered indigenous majority – an almost totally new circumstance in Latin America – Morales' "Indigenous Socialism" begs a unique definition that even Morales didn't have at hand in the beginning. To fill the void and define what is clearly a novel political system both in Bolivia and throughout the region, Bolivia's Constituent Assembly assigned a unique committee to define the nation on new terms, combining new political structure with a desire to counteract the lasting legacy of colonialism and neoliberal intervention. In focusing on this particular committee – La Comisión de Visión de País or the "National Vision Committee" – this paper will explore how the new Bolivian government hopes to see itself defined on both the domestic and international stages. It will briefly outline Bolivia's colonial history and the lead up to indigenous political empowerment. It will analyze the controversies and arguments presented within the National Vision Committee, and it will explore reaction – both domestic and international – to the conclusions discussed by the committee.

Keywords:
Evo Morales, Bolivia, indigenous, socialism, place

2nd place: Heather Dorries, University of Toronto

"De-colonizing Geography/Reclaiming Indigenous Space: Indigenous Contributions to Geographic Methods and Thought"

Abstract:
Although the knowledges of Indigenous peoples have been marginalized in academia, the validity of various forms of Indigenous knowledge are slowly gaining recognition within various disciplines—including Geography. Following the 2003 Association of American Geographers annual meeting, there were calls to "decolonize the discipline" and the several journals devoted special editions to research on this task. Given the long history of research as a colonizing tool, the importance of decolonizing geography cannot be understated. Yet, the defining the content and approach to Geography that together constitute a "decolonization" of the discipline is not a simple task. While many researchers working in the context of Western research paradigms struggle with this question, Indigenous researchers have suggested that Indigenous research and research methodologies have always existed. However, these methods are often not recognized by the academy.

This paper provides a review of current literature exploring Indigenous epistemologies, methodologies, and the ways in which these alternate ways of knowing can simultaneously challenge and contribute to geographic thought. Far from simply forming a contribution to scientific method and knowledge, the assertion of Indigenous knowledge is also fundamental to the survival of Indigenous cultures. Thus, this review also provides an overview of literature addressing the question of how to best engage and include Indigenous knowledges in a manner that is ethical and respectful from an Indigenous perspective, and that will support the creation of space for Indigenous thought in geography.

Keywords:
Indigenous methodologies; Indigenous epistemologies; Indigenous research agendas

General Information:

The Student Paper Award is given for a meritorious student paper which addresses geographic research, education, mapping, theory and/or applications by, for and/or about indigenous people(s).

Criteria: The award is based on evaluation of a written manuscript by the IPSG Chair and Board. Papers will be evaluated based on their overall contribution to new knowledge and understanding in the geographies of indigenous peoples. That contribution may be theoretical, empirical or methodological in nature.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this competition, papers must be presented at the AAG meeting, regional geography meetings or other professional conference, and the student must be the first or sole author of the paper. Student participants do not have to be members of the IPSG to enter the competition. The same individual may receive the award twice in different years for different papers.

Award Committee: The award committee shall consist of the IPSG Chair(s) and the Board of Directors. In the event that there are Co-Chairs, those Co-Chairs shall submit only one evaluation, for a total of four possible paper evaluations from the committee. Members of the award committee must recuse themselves from judging the papers of current or former students, but they may participate in discussions during which final selections are made.

Award. The Student Paper Award shall consist of $150 and a one-year honorary student membership in the IPSG. Whenever possible, the award recipient will also receive recognition in the AAG Newsletter.