Dr Federica Caso1
1La Trobe University, Australia
Biography:
Federica Caso is a lecturer in International Relations at La Trobe University. Her research examines how the inclusion of gender and racial diversity in the military shapes defence and society and her main project investigates Indigenous military inclusion, settler politics, and reconciliation. She received multiple early career research awards, and her book Settler Military Politics was published in 2024 by Edinburgh University Press. She is also co-chair of the Women Caucus of the Australian Political Studies Association.
Abstract:
Indigenous Peoples have a long and fraught history of military service in Anglo-settler societies (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US). In the 20th century, they contributed human power and skills to settler militaries to fight wars that significantly shaped settler nations and identities. Nevertheless, their contribution was overlooked or denied because they were not considered citizens or were banned from enlisting in the military by racist laws. This exclusion was instrumental in further marginalising Indigenous Peoples from settler national societies and identities. Indigenous individuals have long been advocating for the recognition of their service, securing some wins at the turn of the century. The Indigenous representation in the military of settler nations is higher than ever before, and there are targeted provisions to recruit and protect Indigenous serving members. Nonetheless, commemoration of Indigenous service remains selective, and retention of Indigenous serving members is low and a key challenge to inclusion. Drawing from fieldwork in Canada and interviews with Indigenous and non-Indigenous, military and non-military Canadian stakeholders, this presentation explores the complex relationship between Indigenous people and the military, examining the historical context of exclusion and the contemporary efforts and challenges to recognise Indigenous service and increase participation. By analysing the challenges and opportunities of Indigenous military participation in Canada, this presentation interrogates whether it can advance reconciliation or if it serves as a tokenistic act of militarised Indigenous inclusion in the settler nation.