In the current context of humanity the powers that be are using their dominant forces to shape international systems in accordance with their values. This reshaping is taking place while indigenous self-governance, inclusive leadership, economic self-reliance and just peace are not yet realities, as they remain ongoing struggles.
Democracy, Inclusive Participatory Development, Self-Governance, Inclusive Governance, Transformative Leadership, Accountability with Transparency and Self-definition are all essential principles at the core of human creativity and human progression. From an indigenous perspective, all these characteristics are interdependent and are defined as people’s capacity to be self-determining emerges. Part of this process requires that the indigenous perspective deconstruct the myth of the domination system which creates barriers between peoples, while arousing critical consciousness amongst those who accept the myth.
Alfred Taiaiake, a Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) philosopher, writer, and teacher points out that indigenous existence cannot be realized without respecting all facets of tradition: culture, spirituality and governance. The principles of leadership, governance and justpeace need to be understood holistically. This covers the length and breadth of the land that defines each and every indigenous person and their nations. In fact, one cannot exist without the other.
The praxis of these principles is a dynamic ongoing process, which proceeds from gaining knowledge that stimulates critical consciousness. It defines the self in both individual and collective terms. It is perhaps most important to understand them as a process of learning and understanding with the ability to adopt and adapt on their own terms. A primary attribute of indigenous governance is its respect for sovereignty – both individually and collectively. It begins in the individual self with its inherent freedoms, powers and responsibilities. They each hold portions which are essential parts of the whole.
Prior to any colonial infiltration, indigenous peoples recognized, understood and respected this balance. It is no wonder that indigenous peoples remain composed of many nations and languages, because each one is considered as essential within the diverse spectrum of humanity. The question of the right to self-definition is essential to the indigenous peoples’ struggle for sovereignty and peace.
The distortion of the Naga people’s story, history, spirituality and identity is dehumanizing and has blatantly contributed to a systematic breakdown of relationships. This distortion has perpetuated oppression, and internalized violence, all of which is deeply wedded to politics and economics. These manifest as creating inequalities and injustice that deny basic human needs to be met.
Having the clear understanding that the Naga struggle for their rights is not identity based is critical, rather, it is a struggle for human dignity and justice. Ultimately, identity is intimately tied with the moral and ethical notion of human dignity within a people. The Naga self-definition and the dignified will of the people indeed represents the primeval aspirations wedded together in the politics of Naga existence and all of its relations in the web of life.
