Indigenous Inspiration Today in Politics

A curiosity for how indigenous societies relate with politics and the current thriving interest in the presidential election brought my attention to this article published by the New York Times. The article documents how Barack Obama's election has inspired an indigenous party in New Zealand, a minority known as the Maori. The co-leader of New Zealand's own indigenous political party, the Maori Party has described Obama's campaign as a "triumph" over old stereotypes, especially those geared towards minority groups, and "a message to the whole world, that we can build on our past an move forward." Although Obama's win has been predicted to not affect the election in New Zealand, this indigenous political party found it inspiring to anyone looking to end the societal divisions in politics.

                  Maori  party's logo

                      - Emily Ross