🌲Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change Unit 7 – Resource Extraction & Indigenous Rights

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Resource extraction involves the removal of natural resources from the environment for human use and consumption
  • Includes mining, drilling, logging, and other activities that extract resources from the land
• Indigenous rights encompass the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to their lands, territories, and resources
  • Recognized in international law through various treaties and declarations (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)
• Free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is a key principle in protecting Indigenous rights in the context of resource extraction
  • Requires that Indigenous communities be fully informed and consulted before any extraction activities take place on their lands
• Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the accumulated knowledge, practices, and beliefs of Indigenous peoples regarding their environment and natural resources
  • Plays a crucial role in sustainable resource management and conservation
• Environmental justice seeks to address the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, including Indigenous peoples
  • Advocates for fair treatment and meaningful involvement in environmental decision-making processes
• Sustainable development aims to balance economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection
  • Challenges arise when resource extraction conflicts with the long-term sustainability of Indigenous communities and their lands

Historical Context of Resource Extraction

• Colonialism and the doctrine of discovery laid the foundation for the exploitation of Indigenous lands and resources by colonial powers
  • European nations claimed ownership of Indigenous territories based on the notion of terra nullius (empty land)
• The Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century saw European powers dividing and colonizing the African continent for its resources
  • Led to the displacement and dispossession of Indigenous African communities
• The Gold Rush in the United States and Canada in the mid-19th century led to the invasion of Indigenous lands and the disruption of traditional ways of life
  • Resulted in the forced relocation of Indigenous peoples and the destruction of their sacred sites
• The rubber boom in the Amazon rainforest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to the enslavement and genocide of Indigenous peoples
  • Fueled by the demand for rubber in the industrializing world
• The discovery of oil in the Middle East in the early 20th century led to the exploitation of Indigenous lands and the suppression of Indigenous rights
  • Continues to have lasting impacts on the region's geopolitics and environmental sustainability

Indigenous Perspectives on Land and Resources

• Many Indigenous cultures view land and resources as sacred and integral to their identity, spirituality, and way of life
  • Land is not seen as a commodity to be exploited but as a living entity to be respected and cared for
• Indigenous peoples often have a deep connection to their ancestral territories and a sense of responsibility to protect them for future generations
  • This connection is rooted in their traditional knowledge, oral histories, and cultural practices
• Indigenous worldviews emphasize the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of maintaining balance and harmony with the natural world
  • This contrasts with the Western notion of human dominion over nature and the prioritization of economic growth
• Indigenous peoples have developed sophisticated systems of resource management and conservation based on their traditional ecological knowledge
  • These systems have sustained their communities for generations and have proven to be more sustainable than modern extractive practices
• The concept of collective ownership and stewardship of land and resources is common among Indigenous peoples
  • This challenges the Western notion of private property rights and the commodification of nature

Legal Frameworks and Treaties

• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is a comprehensive international instrument that affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples
  • Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2007, it recognizes Indigenous peoples' rights to self-determination, land, resources, and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC)
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169 is a legally binding international treaty that protects the rights of Indigenous and tribal peoples
  • Requires governments to consult with Indigenous peoples before undertaking any development projects on their lands
• The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
  • Requires the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge
• National laws and constitutions in some countries recognize Indigenous rights to land and resources
  • Examples include the Aboriginal Title in Canada, Native Title in Australia, and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in the Philippines
• However, the implementation and enforcement of these legal frameworks often fall short in practice
  • Indigenous peoples continue to face significant barriers in asserting their rights and protecting their lands from extractive industries

Environmental Impacts of Extraction

• Deforestation is a major consequence of resource extraction, particularly in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions
  • Leads to the loss of biodiversity, habitat destruction, and the displacement of Indigenous communities
• Mining activities can cause soil and water contamination, air pollution, and the degradation of ecosystems
  • Tailings dams, which store mining waste, can fail and release toxic sludge into rivers and communities (Brumadinho dam disaster in Brazil)
• Oil and gas extraction can lead to oil spills, gas flaring, and the contamination of water sources
  • The Niger Delta in Nigeria has experienced widespread environmental devastation due to decades of oil exploitation
• Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for shale gas can contaminate groundwater, cause earthquakes, and release methane emissions
  • Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada have been at the forefront of resistance against fracking on their lands
• The construction of pipelines and other infrastructure associated with resource extraction can fragment habitats and disrupt wildlife migration patterns
  • The Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia, Canada, has faced opposition from Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and land defenders

Resistance and Activism

• Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of resistance against resource extraction on their lands
  • Engage in various forms of activism, including protests, blockades, legal challenges, and international advocacy
• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe led a high-profile resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline in the United States
  • Brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies in a powerful display of solidarity and cultural resurgence
• The Waorani people of Ecuador successfully sued the government to stop oil drilling in their ancestral territory
  • Set a legal precedent for Indigenous rights and environmental protection in the Amazon
• Indigenous women have played a crucial role in resistance movements, often leading the fight against extractive industries
  • The Manobo women of Mindanao, Philippines, have been defending their ancestral lands from mining and logging companies
• International solidarity and support from environmental and human rights organizations have been important in amplifying Indigenous voices and demands
  • The Amazon Watch and Rainforest Action Network have been supporting Indigenous-led campaigns against oil drilling and deforestation in the Amazon

Case Studies and Examples

• The Yanomami people of Brazil and Venezuela have been fighting against illegal gold mining on their lands for decades
  • Mining has brought disease, violence, and environmental destruction to Yanomami communities
• The Ogoni people of Nigeria have been resisting Shell's oil extraction in the Niger Delta since the 1990s
  • The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has been advocating for environmental justice and self-determination
• The Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina have been defending their lands against hydroelectric dams, logging, and mining projects
  • The conflict has been marked by violence, criminalization, and the suppression of Indigenous rights
• The Inuit people of the Arctic have been experiencing the impacts of climate change and resource extraction on their traditional way of life
  • Melting sea ice, oil and gas drilling, and shipping traffic have disrupted Inuit hunting and fishing practices
• The Adivasi people of India have been resisting the takeover of their lands by mining companies and the state
  • The Niyamgiri movement in Odisha successfully stopped Vedanta Resources from mining bauxite in their sacred hills

Current Challenges and Future Directions

• The ongoing demand for resources and the pursuit of economic growth continue to drive extractive industries into Indigenous territories
  • Governments and corporations often prioritize short-term profits over the long-term well-being of Indigenous communities and the environment
• Climate change is exacerbating the impacts of resource extraction on Indigenous lands and livelihoods
  • Rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, and extreme events are affecting Indigenous peoples' ability to practice their traditional ways of life
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of Indigenous communities to external threats and the importance of protecting their lands and resources
  • Extractive industries have continued to operate during the pandemic, putting Indigenous peoples at risk of infection and further marginalization
• There is a growing recognition of the need to transition to a more sustainable and equitable model of development
  • This requires a fundamental shift in values and priorities, away from the exploitation of nature and towards the respect for Indigenous rights and knowledge
• Indigenous peoples are leading the way in imagining and building alternative futures based on their traditional values and practices
  • This includes the revitalization of Indigenous languages, the strengthening of cultural identity, and the assertion of self-determination and sovereignty over their lands and resources