Within the past 30 years, indigenous peoples have emerged as legitimate subjects of
international law with rights to exist as distinct peoples. This shift in
international law is the result of activity over the last few decades that has
involved hundreds of indigenous leaders, community representatives, and lawyers.
Indigenous peoples have become actively engaged in efforts to transform the
disposition and direction of international law in order that it might become a
supportive force of change in the relations between indigenous peoples and the
states in which they live. This article explores those efforts on the part of
indigenous peoples. Specifically, it examines the ways in which indigenous peoples
have articulated strategic ‘frames’ that engender support for
their aspirations within the international legal system. In doing so, it contributes
to an understanding of why and how these rights have emerged. It also contributes to
the framing literature, which has not yet been used to explain social
movements’ outcomes. In this article, however, I demonstrate that framing
can also make an impact on the development of law and policy.1
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