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. It traces the scientific and technological development of militarized border surveillance across time and space and highlights the role of Indigenous sacred sciences in reversing the ecological and social violence of surveillance, extraction, and occupation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

Unsettled Borders: A Scientific and Technological Exploration of the US-Mexico Border War
Felicity Amaya Schaeffer's book, Unsettled Borders: A Scientific and Technological Exploration of the US-Mexico Border War, delves into the ongoing settler colonial war over the US-Mexico border from the perspectives of Apache, Tohono Oodham, and Maya communities who are fighting to protect their sacred land. Schaeffer traces the scientific and technological development of militarized border surveillance across time and space, from Spanish colonial lookout points in Arizona and Mexico to the Indian wars, when the US cavalry hired Native scouts to track Apache fleeing into Mexico, to the occupation of the Tohono Oodham reservation and the recent launch of robotic bee swarms. Arizona, known as "Optics Valley," builds on a global history of violent dispossession and containment of Native peoples and migrants by branding itself as a profitable hub for surveillance. Schaeffer reverses the logic of borders by turning to Indigenous sacred sciences, ancestral land-based practices that are critical to reversing the ecological and social violence of surveillance, extraction, and occupation.

The book begins with a historical overview of the US-Mexico border, tracing the various waves of colonization and displacement that have occurred over the centuries. Schaeffer highlights the role of the US government in facilitating these processes, including the forced relocation of Native Americans, the construction of border walls, and the enforcement of immigration laws. She also explores the impact of these policies on the environment, including the destruction of habitats, the pollution of water sources, and the displacement of wildlife.

One of the key themes of the book is the use of militarized border surveillance. Schaeffer argues that this surveillance is not only a tool of oppression but also a threat to human rights. She highlights the use of drones, surveillance cameras, and other technologies to monitor and control the movement of people across the border. These technologies have been used to target immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups, and have led to numerous human rights violations, including torture, sexual assault, and even death.

Schaeffer also explores the impact of militarized border surveillance on the environment. She argues that the surveillance infrastructure has led to the destruction of habitats, the pollution of water sources, and the displacement of wildlife. For example, the construction of border walls has led to the fragmentation of habitats, which has made it difficult for animals to migrate and has led to the extinction of many species. Additionally, the use of surveillance cameras has led to the harassment of wildlife, including birds and mammals, which can have negative impacts on their populations.

To address these issues, Schaeffer proposes a number of solutions. She argues that the US government should prioritize the protection of human rights and the environment over the enforcement of immigration laws. She also suggests that the US government should invest in alternative forms of border surveillance, such as community-based surveillance and technology-based surveillance that are less intrusive and more effective.

One of the most innovative solutions proposed by Schaeffer is the use of Indigenous sacred sciences. These sciences are based on the belief that the land is sacred and that it has a spiritual connection to the people who live on it. Schaeffer argues that these sciences can be used to protect the environment and to promote human rights. For example, the use of traditional land-based practices can help to restore habitats, reduce pollution, and promote biodiversity.

Schaeffer also highlights the importance of community-based surveillance. She argues that community-based surveillance can be more effective than traditional surveillance because it is more responsive to the needs of the community. Community-based surveillance can be used to monitor and control the movement of people across the border, but it can also be used to build trust between the community and the police.

However, Schaeffer also acknowledges that there are challenges to implementing these solutions. She argues that the US government has been resistant to change and that it has been slow to implement policies that promote human rights and the environment. She also argues that there is a lack of funding for these programs.

In conclusion, Unsettled Borders: A Scientific and Technological Exploration of the US-Mexico Border War is a powerful book that explores the ongoing settler colonial war over the US-Mexico border from the perspectives of Apache, Tohono Oodham, and Maya communities. Schaeffer argues that militarized border surveillance is a threat to human rights and the environment and that the US government should prioritize the protection of human rights and the environment over the enforcement of immigration laws. She also proposes a number of solutions, including the use of Indigenous sacred sciences and community-based surveillance. However, there are challenges to implementing these solutions, and the US government has been resistant to change.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478017943