Abstract
ABSTRACT Canada has sought to ground its international legal sovereignty of the Northwest Passage by reference to Inuit “long usage.” This article argues that such a successful claim would win for Canada not a Westphalian status of sovereign control but an Indigenous concept of sovereign responsibility. Such Indigenous sovereignty is not only “formal,” requiring inclusion of Inuit in the form of government, but also “substantive,” committing Canada to protection of the physical and cultural environment. This concept of domestic sovereignty as responsibility might also build on the emerging international norm of “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) by extending its realm of protection as a condition of sovereignty. This concept of sovereignty as stewardship rather than control might help to head off a colonial scramble for territory in the Arctic.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.