Indigenous Environmental Justice

Origins of Environmental Degradation Settler Colonialism [define settler colonialism, Itsuji Saranillio reading excerpts can help] Capitalism Turning land into property Land as profit model leads to environmental health decline

Where are we now? “The last 150 years have seen a great holocaust. There have been more species lost in the past 150 years than since the Ice Age. During the same time, Indigenous peoples have been disappearing from the face of the earth. Over 2,000 nations of Indigenous peoples have gone extinct in the western hemisphere, and one nation disappears from the Amazon rainforest every year. There is a direct relationship between the loss of cultural diversity and the loss of biodiversity.” Winona LaDuke, All Our Relations

Biodiversity & Cultural Diversity Winona LaDuke argues biodiversity and cultural diversity are highly intertwined. As Indigenous populations decline(d) so has biodiversity. [give examples from your field of study]

Indigenous Principles for Environmental Justice Seven Generations Principle [See Winona LaDuke’s work] Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Plural and diverse forms of knowledge held by Indigenous peoples about land, water, air, plant, and animal relatives. Constantly evolving Does not exist without Indigenous peoples

Important Examples Indigenous peoples are well positioned to lead the way on environmental justice. In fact, they are already doing it. #NODAPL Movement Salmon peoples of the Pacific Northwest fight to save their relatives Indigenous peoples fight clearcutting to save forests [enter examples that are specific to your field]

Legal Case Study [chose one case study from the Donald Fixico text to look at how the law and court system is highly intertwined in environmental justice (or injustice, depending on the case)]

Holistic Sustainability Indigenous Environmental Justice takes a holistic approach to sustainability. Considers marginalized populations Ex: Water Protectors from Standing Rock and Flint, MI have joined together because both communities are fighting for clean water. [consider other examples/readings from your field]

Eco-futures How do we implement change for the health of all ecosystems? How do we ensure we are on a path to environmental sustainability? How can we work with Indigenous communities to build viable futures for all? Decolonize environmental justice Repatriate land and land management to Indigenous peoples [enter other specific ideas from your field]