Unsettled Borders: The Militarized Science of Surveillance on Sacred Indigenous Land

Unsettled Borders by Felicity Amaya Schaeffer examines the ongoing settler colonial war over the US-Mexico border from the perspective of Apache, Tohono Oodham, and Maya who fight to protect their sacred land. She traces the scientific and technological development of militarized border surveillance and turns to Indigenous sacred sciences to reverse the ecological and social violence of surveillance, extraction, and occupation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her book, Unsettled Borders, Felicity Amaya Schaeffer delves into the ongoing settler colonial conflict over the US-Mexico border, focusing on the perspectives of Apache, Tohono Oodham, and Maya individuals who are tirelessly fighting to safeguard their sacred land. Schaeffer meticulously traces the historical evolution of militarized border surveillance, spanning from Spanish colonial lookout points in Arizona and Mexico to the Indian wars, where Native scouts were employed to track Apache refugees fleeing into Mexico. This narrative also encompasses the occupation of the Tohono Oodham reservation and the recent deployment of robotic bee swarms. Arizona, known as "Optics Valley," capitalizes on a global legacy of violent dispossession and containment of Native peoples and migrants, positioning itself as a lucrative hub for surveillance. By embracing Indigenous sacred sciences, ancestral land-based practices that hold the key to reversing the ecological and social harm caused by surveillance, extraction, and occupation, Schaeffer challenges the very foundations of borders.

This book offers a profound exploration of the complex dynamics at play in the borderlands, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of Indigenous communities as they confront the ongoing encroachment of settler colonialism. Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Schaeffer provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing dialogue about borders, sovereignty, and the rights of marginalized communities. Unsettled Borders is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the ongoing complexities of the US-Mexico border region and the urgent need for sustainable solutions that honor the rights and dignity of all peoples.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478015321