Recovering Health through Cultural Traditions

This article explores the historical and political development of international trusteeships and their implications for Indigenous peoples’ struggles for self-governance and autonomy. It traces the evolution of trusteeships from the League of Nations Mandate system to the United Nations Trusteeship Council, focusing on the obligations of administering states to uphold Indigenous rights and protect native lands and resources. The paper also examines modern iterations of trusteeships under international agreements and the continued oversight roles of international bodies. Case studies from Greenland, Micronesia, and Catalonia illustrate the challenges Indigenous populations face in asserting sovereignty and managing their territories. Emphasizing the importance of legal frameworks, the article argues that trusteeship remains an unfinished responsibility in the global effort toward Indigenous self-determination and decolonization.