DAOs for Indigenous Digital Nations

Introduction

Indigenous communities worldwide have long sought greater autonomy and self-determination over their governance, economic structures, and decision-making processes. While traditional governance models have been shaped by cultural values, kinship systems, and collective leadership, contemporary challenges—including state policies, globalization, and digital transformation—necessitate innovative approaches to sustaining Indigenous sovereignty. One emerging tool with potential relevance is the Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO)—a blockchain-based, self-governing entity that enables participatory decision-making, transparent governance, and decentralized resource management.

This research explores how DAOs can be leveraged to support Indigenous self-governance, economic autonomy, and nation-building efforts. The study synthesizes existing literature across five core themes:

  1. Indigenous Sovereignty and Nation Building – Examining how Indigenous governance models assert self-determination and how DAOs may align with or enhance these systems.
  2. Traditional and Current Forms of Organization – Comparing Indigenous organizational structures with DAO governance frameworks.
  3. Traditional and Current Forms of Economy – Investigating Indigenous economic models, including land-based economies and collective resource management, in relation to tokenized digital economies.
  4. DAOs as a New Form of Organization – Analyzing the structure, governance mechanisms, and implementation challenges of DAOs.
  5. Token Economics as a New Form of Economy – Exploring the role of digital assets and token-based economies in reinforcing Indigenous financial independence.

By integrating Indigenous governance principles with decentralized technologies, DAOs offer a promising but complex alternative to conventional organizational structures. This study seeks to critically assess whether DAOs can be meaningfully adapted to Indigenous needs and values, ensuring that digital governance does not replicate existing inequities but rather empowers communities in a culturally appropriate manner.

The following sections summarize key findings from academic literature, case studies, and policy analyses to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between DAOs and Indigenous organisation.

1. Indigenous Sovereignty and Nation Building

Papers

Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake in Aotearoa New Zealand

Paora, Ropata & Tuiono, Teanau & Flavell, Te & Hawksley, Charles & Howson, Richard. (2011). Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake: Nation, state and self-determination in Aotearoa New Zealand. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. 7. 246-257.

*https://doi.org/10.1177/117718011100700305*

This article explores the concepts of tino rangatiratanga (Māori self-determination, often translated as absolute chiefly authority) and mana motuhake (Māori independence/autonomy) within the context of the historical and ongoing relationship between Māori and the New Zealand state. The authors utilise a Gramscian framework, focusing on the concept of hegemony, to analyse how the New Zealand state has sought to incorporate Māori within a unified national identity, and how Māori activism challenges this project. The article presents perspectives from three Māori activists – Ropata Paora, Teanau Tuiono, and Te Ururoa Flavell – gathered through interviews.

The article highlights the ongoing struggle of Māori for self-determination, showing that while there are great efforts by Māori to assert their autonomy there is still alot of opportunity for Tino Rangatiratanga to be recognised.

Adaptable Online Indigenous Nation-Building Method

Gertz, Janine & Petray, Theresa & Compton, Anthea & Jorgensen, Miriam & Vivian, Alison. (2024). Gugu Badhun Sovereignty Sundays: An Adaptable Online Indigenous Nation-Building Method. 10.3316/informit.T2024080800004590612646662.