CPD 462 - Understanding Indigenous Identity Ancestry, DNA & Self-Indigenization
1h 27m
Recorded: 2026-10-01
Qualifies for 1.5 CPD Hour, all of which qualifies for Ethics.
Earlier in 2026, the Law Society hosted CPD 452 - Understanding Indigenous Identity: Law, Community and Self-Determination, which explored a range of issues relating to Indigenous identity, belonging, and self-determination. During that program, questions were raised regarding topics such as claims of Indigenous ancestry, identity verification, and the phenomenon commonly referred to as "pretendianism." To continue the conversation and provide additional perspectives on these issues, the Law Society has invited Professor Kim TallBear to present research in this area.
The following description has been provided by Professor TallBear to give context for the presentation:
For centuries, European settlers and their descendants have perpetuated the “Vanishing Indian” narrative that predicts First or Native nations’ inevitable death in the face of European and North American progress. This narrative justifies colonial resource extraction and violation of First or Native nation sovereignties. The narrative anchors today’s phenomenon of “self-indigenization,” also called “pretendianism,” in which settler state citizens claim the dead Indian as their biological ancestor—an essence that (re)defines them as “Indigenous.” This talk presents several prominent “pretendian” cases in Canada and the United States to demonstrate their role in ongoing colonial appropriation of First or Native nation resources, this time in the form of employment, artistic, business, and leadership opportunities.
Presenter:
Kim TallBear (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate citizen)
Professor of American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota
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