SIUC's Anthropology Graduate Student Association's (AGSA) Spring Speaker series presents:
"Natural Gas and the Dilemma of Indigenous Rights Movements in Bolivia"
By Bret Gustafson, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis
Bolivia’s natural gas boom has generated new state policies to redistribute wealth, and much of it has been tied to the rising political and economic aspirations of Indigenous peoples, as well as all Bolivians. These policies have by and large expanded under the Presidency of Evo Morales, acknowledged by most to be the first Indigenous president of Bolivia. However, the natural gas infrastructure has generated tensions between the government and Indigenous peoples, who have raised disputes tied to territorial claims, compensation, and access to development funds. By focusing on the case of the Guarani, the paper will discuss the complexities of relationships between Indigenous movements and the state, suggesting that as with many extractive-dependent states, lines are blurred, complex, and intersected by an array of often non-local processes and interests. The net result, however, is the relative weakening of robust claims to Indigenous self-determination rights.
Talk starts at 4:00 P.M. Light snacks will be provided!
Meet and Greet after at Bombay Olive, 518 S Illinois Ave, Ste B, Carbondale, IL 62901.
Please comment if you are interested in attending the meet and greet so we can get a appropriate reservation (Expenses not paid for by AGSA).