Abstract

Claim of indigenous minorities to land are a significant political issue in many parts of the world. These claims; though; are contested; be it in theoretical; political or legal terms. I consider a position; put forward by Jeremy Waldron; that asserts some theoretical reservations towards indigenous minorities' claims to reparations and land. Waldron seems to assume that indigeneity is no important factor regarding land claims and reparative issues. I propose a rivalling account of indigenous land claims; based on the idea of self-determination. Self-determination itself can be understood in two different ways; it can either be conceived as a form of political autonomy or sovereignty; or it can be understood as having pre-political property rights.