Unfulfilled Promises: Safeguarding the Horse Culture of American Indians
Published 6 February 2014
Abstract
The horse culture of the American Indians holds a prominent and popular place in the mythology and stereotypes of the American Old West. However, the strength of this stereotype also unwittingly contributes to the vulnerability of a horse culture that continues to exist, despite widespread belief in its extinction. International law holds out the promise of the safeguarding of elements of intangible cultural heritage, through the complementary provisions of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and human rights provisions of regional and international bodies. Nonetheless these provide only an illusion of protection — the reality on the ground is much different, as becomes apparent when considering present day status of American Indian horse culture. This article examines the myths and stereotypes of horse culture, and the inability of the international legal system to provide effective measures of safeguard, through an examination of the legal struggles of the Western Shoshone peoples to safeguard their ancestral lands and present day horse culture.
This paper will be part of our second 'Art and Heritage Disputes' special which will focus on intangible heritage disputes.