Concept Note

Indigeneity is a complex and dynamic concept that encapsulates the identities, cultures, and rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide. It (Indigeneity) has historically been defined through rigid legal and anthropological frameworks established by nation-states and colonial powers. These frameworks often rely on lineage, territorial ties, and historical continuity to grant recognition, land rights, and resource access. Such definitions create fixed distinctions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, reducing indigeneity to static identity markers (Perreault, Bridge, & McCarthy, 2015). Moreover, demographic and economic factors—such as population size, spatial distribution, and economic viability—play a significant role in shaping recognition and policy inclusion. Smaller Indigenous populations frequently face systemic exclusion from official statistics, development programs, and resource distribution, perpetuating marginalization and unequal representation (Andersen, 2008; Kukutai & Taylor, 2016). This structural inequality results in adverse health outcomes, limited healthcare access, mental health challenges, and reduced economic opportunities, contributing to ongoing social injustices (Gracey & King, 2009).

This interdisciplinary conference seeks to examine and redefine the concept of indigeneity, transcending fixed, state-centric definitions. Besides, the event aims to illuminate the complex realities of Indigenous communities in the Global South by incorporating insights from history, sociology, literary studies, demography, and economics. Building on scholarly work that critiques colonial and imperial frameworks, the conference will focus on themes of Indigenous knowledge systems, resistance movements, demographic inequities, and economic marginalization. Furthermore, it will emphasize the importance of Indigenous agency inreclaiming land, language, and cultural sovereignty, and envisioning self-determined futures.

Thematic Areas

We invite papers that investigate, while not being confined to, the following themes:

1. Colonial Legacies and Post-Colonial Challenges: British and European colonial disruptions of Indigenous governance (e.g., India’s Scheduled Tribes, Latin American Indígenas).Nehruvian development vs. Indigenous land sovereignty (dams, mining,urbanization). The "tribal" vs "Indigenous" debate in postcolonial nations
2. Demographic Inequities: Healthcare disparities, accessibility, and demographic marginalization. Child and maternal health of Indigenous population. Urbanization’s impact on Indigenous youth and migration. Data gaps: National censuses and surveys.
3. Literary and Cultural Resurgence: Decolonizing literature: Indigenous storytelling as resistance. Digital media and Indigenous language revitalization. Queer/feminist critiques of heteropatriarchal coloniality.
4. Development, Climate, and Economic Justice: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Indigenous cosmovisions.Climate vulnerability and Indigenous ecological knowledge. Case studies: Narmada Dam protests, Māori land reclaims, Himachal Pradesh’s tribal conflicts. Commodification of Culture
5. Global Solidarities and Policy Futures: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People’s role in transnational Indigenous movements. South-South cooperation for Indigenous rights. Community-led conservation vs. extractivism. 
6. Indigenous Epistemes and Knowledge Sovereignty: Indigenous philosophies, oral traditions, and cosmologies as frameworks of knowledge. Language as epistemic infrastructure: oral literature, ritual, and pedagogy.

Submission Guidelines:

Abstracts should be 250-300 words, outlining the research question, methodology, and mainarguments.

Keywords:Please include 5 relevant keywords.

Author Information: Include your full name, institutional affiliation, and contact details.

Submission Format (Abstract): All submissions should be in Times New Roman, 12pt font, double-spaced, and in PDF format.

Deadline for Abstract Submission: 06 June 2025

Link: https://forms.gle/5PFKmiWT41vMKK9L9

Intimation of Acceptance: 30 June 2025

Full Paper Submission: 08 August 2025

Conference Format and Venue:The in-person component will be hosted at IIT Mandi, Himachal Pradesh.

Registration Fee: Rs. 3000/- (includes conference kit, accommodation, and meals).

Registration Deadline: 18 July 2025

We look forward to your contributions and to fostering meaningful academic exchanges at YGM2025.