Pitfalls and Pipelines - Philippine Indigenous Peoples Links

Chapter 2.2: Challenges at the National Policy Level
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New Caledonia is divided into three autonomous provinces.
Source: 2004 census: a total population of 263 500 of which 44% are indigenous
Kanaks.
Kanaks were given French citizenship. Over the next 10 years, the first
political party including both European Caledonians and Kanaks, the UC
(Union Calédonienne), was formed under the slogan “Two colors, one
people,” and Kanaks were granted voting rights.
Despite these gains, the Kanaks had lost most of their land to the French
settlers and lived on reserves as a marginalized, discriminated group of
people. The people have no legal collective or individual title for the land
they occupy, as under French law, these customary lands remain the
property of the state.
The 1970s witnessed the cultural awareness movement, led by Jean-
Marie Tjibaou, and the rise of militant Kanak parties, who by the 1980s,
were demanding full independence from France. A majority of European
Caledonian voters deserted the Union Caledonienne to join the “Rally for a
Caledonia within the Republic.” In the 1980s the independence movement
strengthened and swept across the country. Separatists enjoyed a brief
period of power, with Tjibaou serving as president of the Government
Council from 1982 to 1984. Social programs and land reforms were
initiated, but pro-French militia actions, assassinations, and mixed signals