good lord, don't you people know by now that everything belongs to those who can take it and hold it? Things are given up either through outright defeat, or by prohibitive expenses to keep it. Every once in a while there's also the factor of a more desirable plunder somewhere else that's worth more than what, in that case, you must give up in the equation. Ruthlessness, deceit, greed, arrogance (this can also be called presumption), rule the day and the historical record. Altruistic phraesology may be used, or not. But it makes no difference, really. Dynasties, supposed representations of the people, also some outright financial interests - i.e., the VOC (Dutch East India company) are what history informs us are the takers of peoples, and remain so until they are assumed by a stronger power or have grown overextended and weaker in the face of armed and capable domestic dissidents.

When this system breaks down in favour of some supposedly kind-hearted giveaway, the veneer doesn't last long because other brutal or at least adventuristic interests will take over. If Australia's indigenous people get their wet dream of sovereignty, just what do you think will happen to them when China comes marching in? Just ask that nation's (former) Uighur population.

Done.