Why Indigenous Peoples Are Disproportionately Killed:
Across the world, Indigenous peoples face disproportionately high levels of violence, murder, and human rights violations. This is not because of who they are, but because of historical and ongoing systems of inequality, discrimination, and conflict over land, resources, and rights. Understanding the root causes is essential for addressing the issue and preventing further harm.
1. Historical Background of Colonization
For centuries, Indigenous peoples have lived on lands that later became targets for colonization. When European settlers arrived in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Asia, Indigenous communities were often viewed as obstacles to expansion.
Key factors:
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Land seizure: Colonizers wanted Indigenous lands for agriculture, mining, settlement, and resource extraction.
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Dehumanization: Indigenous peoples were falsely labeled as “primitive” to justify violence and displacement.
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Forced cultural erasure: Many communities faced forced assimilation, removal, boarding schools, and policies that weakened their social structures.
This historical violence set the stage for modern injustices.
2. Ongoing Land Conflicts
Today, many Indigenous communities continue to live on resource-rich lands. Governments and corporations often seek these areas for:
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mining
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oil pipelines
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logging
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agriculture
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water access
When Indigenous groups defend their territory, they frequently face threats, violent attacks, or assassination by state forces, militias, or private security groups.
Examples:
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Environmental defenders in the Amazon are murdered at some of the highest rates in the world.
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Water protectors opposing pipelines in North America face intimidation and militarized policing.
3. Systemic Racism and Discrimination
Indigenous peoples frequently experience:
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racial profiling
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lack of legal protection
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biased policing
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unequal justice systems
These systems often fail to investigate disappearances or murders of Indigenous people. In many countries, cases involving Indigenous victims receive far less attention or resources.
Impact:
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Higher murder rates
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Lower prosecution rates for perpetrators
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Increased vulnerability, especially for women and girls
4. Economic Marginalization and Social Inequality
Indigenous communities often lack access to:
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quality healthcare
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economic opportunities
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housing
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education
This marginalization creates environments where violence is more likely, and where victims have fewer protections.
Example:
In countries like Canada and the U.S., Indigenous women are murdered or go missing at rates many times higher than non-Indigenous women—a crisis known as MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls).
5. Political Power Imbalances
In many nations, Indigenous peoples:
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make up a small percentage of the population
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lack representation in government
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have their rights frequently ignored
When a group lacks political power, their communities become easier targets for:
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land dispossession
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violent suppression
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neglect by law enforcement
6. Cultural Threat Perception
Indigenous resistance is often rooted in protecting:
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land
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culture
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water
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community survival
However, governments or corporations may treat Indigenous resistance as a threat to economic or political interests.
This leads to:
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militarized responses
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criminalization of activists
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violence against community leaders
7. Gender-Specific Violence
Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ people face extreme levels of violence due to:
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colonial legacies of gendered oppression
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racism
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human trafficking
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lack of police response
Violence against Indigenous women is often ignored or under-reported, reinforcing the cycle.
Conclusion
Indigenous peoples are not killed because of who they are, but because of systemic structures of power, inequality, and historical violence that continue into the present. These deaths stem from:
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land disputes
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racism
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political and economic exclusion
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lack of justice
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continued colonial attitudes
Addressing these issues requires:
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protecting Indigenous land rights
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enforcing justice and accountability
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supporting Indigenous self-governance
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educating societies about Indigenous histories and contributions
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