Reservation Geography and the Restoration of Native Self-Government

Recognition of the spatial aspects of Indian settlement on reserves is vital to understanding the potential for Native self-government. In particular, the number and size of reserves, as well as the remoteness, accessibility and dispersal of Native land holdings must be considered. They can impact on the viability and cost of Native courts and institutions, the solidarity of bands, and the economic livelihood of reserve residents. As Native self-government is fleshed out in constitutional reform talks and experiments in limited self-government, it is not widely known that all of the reserves in every province of Canada combined would not cover onehalf of the reservation held by Arizona's Navajo Nation.