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Decolonization in a Digital Age: Cryptocurrencies and Indigenous Self-Determination in Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 May 2017

Christopher Alcantara  and
Caroline Dick
Christopher Alcantara
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, ONcalcanta@uwo.ca
Caroline Dick
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of Western Ontario, London, ONcdick4@uwo.ca
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Abstract

Indigenous scholars and leaders have long been interested in reducing the role of the Canadian state in their political, economic, and social lives. This paper explores the extent to which digital currencies, such as Bitcoin or MazaCoin, might be used to facilitate Indigenous self-determination, political autonomy, and economic prosperity. Based on our review of the literature, we argue that cryptocurrencies demonstrate some potential for advancing these goals but that there are a number of potential roadblocks as well. Future research should investigate how Indigenous communities might use digital currencies and other related technologies to further their political, economic, and social goals.

Résumé

Les chercheurs et les leaders autochtones cherchent depuis longtemps à réduire le rôle de l’État canadien dans la vie politique, économique et sociale des Autochtones. Cet article examine le rôle et l’importance des devises numériques, comme Bitcoin ou MazaCoin, dans l’atteinte, par les Autochtones, de l’auto-détermination, de l’autonomie politique et de la prospérité économique. D’après notre analyse documentaire, nous postulons que les crypto-monnaies peuvent contribuer à l’atteinte de ces objectifs, mais qu’elles posent également leur lot de problèmes. De futures recherches pourraient examiner les moyens que les groupes autochtones auraient pour exploiter les devises numériques et d’autres technologies connexes dans l’atteinte de leurs objectifs politiques, économiques, et sociaux.

Keywords

Indigenous self-determinationautonomydigital currencycryptocurrencyBitcoindecolonizationAuto-détermination autochtoneautonomiedevise numériqueBitcoindécolonisation
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Law and Society / La Revue Canadienne Droit et Société , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , April 2017 , pp. 19 - 35
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Law and Society Association / Association Canadienne Droit et Société 2017 

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