FORGOTTEN FRONTLINES: THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN GLOBAL CONFLICTS

Abstract

The role of indigenous people in conflicts throughout history has not been given much attention, and it has been a major contributor in terms of strategy, culture, and logistics, which have had an influence on the outcome of war. In this research paper, the engagement of indigenous communities in international and regional conflicts is examined to understand the relative experience, challenges, and engagement of the indigenous communities and its contribution in different geographical and historical contexts. This work is based on a mixed-method methodology, whereby quantitative information based on past military records and enlistment statistics are paired with qualitative information collected by the use of archival documents, oral histories, and structured interviews with native elders and historians. The results show vast differences in acknowledgment and advocacy: the indigenous fighters in some areas became the part of military systems, received educating and their roles were recognized and accepted, whereas marginalization, underreporting, and insufficient resources remained the problems of others. These challenges notwithstanding, indigenous participation usually complemented operational performance by expertise into local geographies and cultural brokering as well as specialized capabilities. The social and post-conflict implications such as recognition, reparations and preservation of cultural identity is also brought out in the paper. In addition, it proposes policy guidelines and plans towards more inclusive historical records, teaching, and recognition of indigenous efforts. Through the focus on the dissimilar effects of being engaged in conflict and the necessity of the fair recognition, this paper offers important lessons to historians, policymakers, educators, and military organizations in learning to include the indigenous voices and roles in the world conflict stories. The study is applicable to the current literature because they provide evidence-based advice on the role of identifying and maintaining the strategic and cultural value of the indigenous people on the historical and modern conflicts.