Abstract:

Worldwide, there are many instances of treaties, compacts, or other negotiated agreements that facilitate partnerships between Indigenous peoples and states or colonial populations. New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi is widely recognized as an exemplary example of a negotiated agreement, showcasing the complexities and imbalances in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the State. This anthology revitalizes the academic and public conversation surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi and provides a substantial contribution to the global dialogue on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the State, as well as the process of reconciliation. The essays in this book examine the many interpretations given to Indigenous-State compacts, such as the Treaty, by diverse groups of people. Therefore, they facilitate and clarify a more active discussion on their interpretations and uses, as well as their crucial function in contemporary processes of reconciliation and transitional justice.