Indigenous Environmentalism
By: Jasiel R
Tags: Indigenous, Education, Environmentalism, Environmental Issues

Why we must reimagine environmentalism through Indigenous storytelling.

“Do you believe humans do more harm to the environment than good?”

In a study conducted to collect and examine the thoughts that individuals have on environmentalism, nearly 90% percent of participants responded yes to the question above. What does it mean for us, as humans, to go about our life endeavors in a society that continues to destroy the environment? It means, whether we are aware or ignorant of our actions, we are participating in this detriment. Despite a long history of exploitation, destruction, and greed, it is important to note: positive interactions between humans and the environment do exist.

Indigenous Peoples’ holistic approach and practices in caring for the environment are founded on a belief of interconnectedness.

It is an unfortunate reality that Indigenous Peoples have been constantly oppressed in their fight to sustain the environment and their communities. Indigenous communities believe in a sibling bond with the Earth and all inhabitants; these relationships are not transactional, but rather, they are nurturing. By looking at the intersectional, environmental frameworks of Indigenous communities we can begin to understand how to better sustain all beings.

Purpose of Study

As someone who cares deeply for marginalized communities as well as for the environment I am interested in researching the various strategies that Indigenous Peoples have historically and currently been using to resist oppressive measures while maintaining healing practices with the natural communities (environment, animals, etc). In my course I am taking through the College of Innovation and Design at Boise State University, I had the opportunity to research and create a solution design for this issue.

Interviews

As part of this study, I conducted interviews with two individuals who have backgrounds and experience in environmental studies, biology, and Indigenous environmentalism.

Interview #1: The first individual provided some great information about the ways in which energy has continuously been causing problems for Indigenous communities while simultaneously disrupting natural communities. The sociopolitically constructed “need” for energy in a capitalistic society continues to fuel the exploitation of natural resources; in this exploitation, Indigenous communities have suffered by being forcibly displaced as well as having resources depleted.

Interview #2: The second individual shared a great amount of stories that she has heard by the folks she has connected with. The commonality heard by this individual between each story is that it is ultimately impossible to only “choose one” problem (Indigenous liberation or Environmentalism) as there will be no holistic liberation without the liberation of Indigenous communities and vice versa.

“There is power in intergenerational knowledge. The practices passed down by generations who have cared for the natural communities as siblings. Cherish this knowledge; share it; live it.”

As such, I am certain that their must be: 1) a cultivation of intergenerational, nurturing knowledge that centers sibling/family bonds with the Earth; 2) initiatives that push to educate non-Indigenous and non-Black folks about sustainable practices that are accessible to all individuals; 3) Indigenous Tribal Sovereignty (ultimate goal would be to return all stolen land to the native communities but that’s a longer conversation).

Survey Findings

Participants’ perceptions of the quality and shape of the environment.

This chart shows that 86.8% of participants believe the environment is in bad shape but can be saved with a lot of effort, 11.3% believe it is in some trouble but can be saved with some effort, and only 1.9% believe it is in good shape. There is a clear majority of people who believe that the environment is experiencing detrimental effects to some capacity.

Participants’ understanding of the connection between Indigenous communities and environmentalism.

This chart shows that only 3.8% of participants have an extremely well understanding, 11.2% have a very well understanding, 37.7% have a somewhat well understanding, 34% have a not so well understanding, and 11.3% have no understanding. From these results it is safe to assume that most participants do not or do not have a clear understanding of how the nature of the connection between Indigenous communities and environmentalism works.

Participants’ opinion on if government inaction and or action (specifically relating to environmental issues) leads to increased exposure/exploitation of Indigenous communities.

This chart shows that 5.7% of participants do not think government inaction/action leads to increased exposure/exploitation of Indigenous communities, meanwhile 94.3% of participants do. These results indicate that people recognize the government as a source of responsibility for environmental issues as well as the injustices that Indigenous communities are experiencing.

Solution Design

Creating a coalition of folks who are committed to the three ideas stated above. Gathering stories, practices, and knowledge from BIPOC communities. Constructing educational curricula/guides around what is gathered. Providing accessible forms of these curricula/guides for ALL communities. Pushing environmental policies and initiatives that are founded upon what is gathered. Funding everyone for their trauma.

Conclusion

The framing of this project has shifted a bit and became more of an initial foundation to start understanding how people perceive environmental issues, Indigenous communities, education, and government action/inaction. Although most people have indicated that there are environmental issues and injustices that the Indigenous community is facing as a result, many still are not clear on the positive interactions that are nurturing and sustainable between humans and the environment. The interviews and survey results helped solidify the need for identifying Indigenous practices/strategies of nurturing the environment and the need to share this information in order to raise awareness and educate folks.

My solution design from here is to start gathering Indigenous practices, archiving stories, and then sharing.