This paper examines the challenges and opportunities of centring Indigenous thought in imperial, legal, and political history before 1900, contributing to the growing field of Global Indigenous Intellectual History. It addresses key issues, including the interpretation and representation of Indigenous concepts, the description of their norms, and the shift from Eurocentric to Indigenous perspectives. The paper also explores the influence of Indigenous legal systems on international law, the representation of Indigenous voices and claims, and the complex relationships between imperial powers and Indigenous agency.
