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  7. 2016
  8. Seminar 10 - Why not secession?

Why not secession? - Vincent Redhouse (3 Aug 2016)

Reconciliation is a good idea. However, in order for reconciliation to do the work it needs to do, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be able to choose whether or not to remain within the Australian state. Furthermore, each Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nation should be able to make that choice for themselves.

In the first part of his talk, Vince discussed the attractiveness of reconciliation. Vince then argued that reconciliation loses much of that attractiveness if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are unable to make a very important substantive choice regarding their future. That important choice is whether or not to secede from the Australian state and form their own independent nation-states. In the second part, Vince presented the case for unilateral secession by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As strong as that case is, and it is strong, secession can only become feasible with the full cooperation of the Australian government. Thus, in the third part, Vince discussed potential incentives for inducing that cooperation. Finally, Vince briefly addressed some of the criticisms of secession and discuss what he thinks are the important takeaways from this talk.

The seminar was followed by a 'Yarn' over lunch. This gave attendees the opportunity to have an informal chat with Vincent. The focus was on Vince's research. 

Click here to watch Vince's seminar

Anne Wexler Fulbright Scholar, Vincent RedhouseVince Redhouse is a member of the Navajo Nation.  Originally from Seaside, California, he has spent a majority of his life in Tucson, Arizona.  He started his academic career at Pima Community College and transferred to the University of Arizona (UA) in 2012.  He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree Summa Cum Laude with Honors in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, & Law (PPEL) at the UA in 2015. While at the UA, Vince earned many distinguished awards including Outstanding Native American Student of the Year, Distinguished Student Speaker in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Outstanding Graduating Student in PPEL. He was also named an Honors College Pillar of Excellence and was a university medalist. He is the 2015 Anne Wexler Fulbright Scholar and is using that award to pursue a Master of Philosophy degree in Philosophy at the Australian National University.  His current interests are on the feasibility of secession by Indigenous peoples in Australia and the United States