Stronger Together: The Cross-Cultural Coalition to Stop Fossil Fuel Exports in the Salish Sea Maggie Allen University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs maggieallen1989@gmail.com

The “4-C’s” Framework of Human Wellbeing Connections Culture & Identity Social Relationships Tangible Connections to Nature Intangible Connections to Nature Conditions Environment Economy Safety Health Capabilities Livelihood & Activities Knowledge & Technology Freedom & Voice Governance & Management Cross-Cutting Equity & Justice Security & Resilience Sustainability being with others and the environment human needs are met can act meaningfully to pursue goals

The Pacific Northwest as the Fossil Gateway

Gateway Pacific Terminal

Research Question How movements like this form, and how goals and desired outcomes differ between the groups How can this coalition and their policy tools help the Lummi improve their self-determination? By examining the coalition in depth using academic frameworks, I will gain a better understanding of how power is balanced within the coalition and why and how the Lummi Nation formed alliances to enact change. This will also highlight issues of environmental justice within the policy process and social movements.

Reasons for involvement Lummi Self-determination Cultural connection to land and fishing Environmental groups Climate change Conservation Environmental justice Faith-based groups Social justice and human rights Climate change and health

Advocacy Coalition Framework

Coalition Tools Lummi Environmental groups Faith-based groups Treaty rights as legal tool Symbolic protests (Totem Pole Journey and check burning) Collaborating with other tribes Letters to the Army Corps asking for rejection Environmental groups Hosting forums and workshops Comments for EIS scoping process and to Congress and Army Corps Connecting community Faith-based groups Political influence Communications and organizing ability Host events and help people mobilize

Methodology Interviews—snowball sample Participant observation Media Review Data Analysis Grounded theory Keywords and themes Using ACF to code

Core Beliefs Beliefs Lummi Religious Groups Environmental Groups Deep Core Sacredness of land and fishing Importance of spirituality for human well-being Environmentalism (ecosystem preservation) Policy Core Climate change and human health Environmental justice/human rights Environmental justice Secondary Priority of economic development Priority of environmental conservation Priority of tribal sovereignty and fisheries

The Five Aspects of the Coalition Resources Environmental Groups Faith-based groups Lummi Nation Finances x Leadership ability X Access to power People: x Political: x Legal: x Access to scientific information Develops partnerships with scientists Members that can mobilize Especially national organizations, like the Sierra Club

“Together, we can undo all this colonial historical trauma” “[The Lummi] have the legal and moral ability and stance, and we can support that by spreading it out to the larger community.” “Together, we can undo all this colonial historical trauma” “If the environmentalists and tribes gather to try to do the right thing, I think we can beat them.”

Importance and Future Work Explores power asymmetry and policy process in a coalition between tribal/nontribal groups, which has not been done a lot Encourages moving towards equitable energy solutions that neither invoke treaty rights nor harms the marine environment Constantly evolving issue—need to continue to work with it to see how coalition evolves after decision is made Continue to explore these coalitions using other theories such as Social Movement Theory Continue to work with transboundary issues and other NGOs to address many issues facing the Salish Sea and indigenous communities Although in the past, these organizations have often disadvantaged indigenous communities, issues like the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal have the potential to unite these historically opposing groups. Although the outcome of the decision is yet to be determined, the coalition has been successful at developing a strong alliance between tribal and nontribal groups The outcome of the decision is yet to be determined, and the complex issue is constantly developing. However, it is clear that the coalition to fight the GPT has been successful at developing a strong alliance between faith-based groups, environmental organizations, and indigenous tribes

Works cited

Thank you! Questions? maggieallen1989@gmail.com