Building Conflict Resolution Infrastructure in the Central and South Pacific: Indigenous Populations and their Conflicts with Governments

Source: (2002) Conflict Resolution Quarterly. 19(3): 345-361.

Three areas of the Central and South Pacific have a history of colonization of indigenous peoples by English-speaking nations. In each area, conflict between the indigenous populations and the governments and settler population has been pervasive and diverse. Tracing the indigenous cultural underpinnings of two methods of conflict resolution, the author discusses application of sovereignty dialogues and restorative justice processes. Indigenous Polynesian cultural themes and their recent evolution are connected to the development of powerful, culturally appropriate tools to address the long-standing conflicts between indigenous peoples and modern governments.