Macro‐Level Climate and Minority Voice: How Indigenous Multiculturalism Relates to Collective Action

ABSTRACT Inequalities and discrimination against Indigenous minorities are pervasive in post‐colonial societies. Collective action is critical for Indigenous minorities to redress these injustices. Integrating research on collective action, macro‐level norms and multiculturalism, we argue that macro‐level climates characterized by non‐Indigenous endorsement of Indigenous multiculturalism policies are likely associated with Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Two multilevel studies in Chile (non‐Indigenous majorities N = 1132; Indigenous minorities N = 1160; 26 communities) and New Zealand (NZ) (non‐Indigenous majorities N = 12,136; Indigenous minorities N = 3484; 108 communities) reveal that non‐Indigenous macro‐level (i.e., aggregated) endorsement of resource‐based policies was related to increased Indigenous minorities’ reaction to injustices and collective action. Non‐Indigenous macro‐level endorsement of symbolic policies showed similar (albeit weaker) results in NZ, but not in Chile. Thus, macro‐level climates that endorse concrete measures to address power asymmetries are particularly effective at fostering Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.