Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change

Unit 1 – Indigenous Cultures & Environments Pre-1492

Unit 2 – European Contact: Early Colonial Impacts

Unit 3 – Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Unit 4 – Indigenous Land Management Practices

Unit 5 – Ecosystems & Biomes of Western North America

Unit 6 – Indigenous Lands and Climate Change Impacts

Unit 7 – Resource Extraction & Indigenous Rights

Unit 8 – Water Rights in Indigenous Communities

Unit 9 – Indigenous Conservation Leadership

Unit 10 – Tribal Sovereignty in Environmental Policy

Unit 11 – Indigenous Cultures & Environmental Stewardship

Unit 12 – Indigenous Environmental Activism Today

## What do you learn in Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West

You'll explore how Native American communities have interacted with and shaped their environments over time. The course covers traditional ecological knowledge, land management practices, and the impact of colonization on indigenous landscapes. You'll also learn about contemporary environmental issues facing Native communities and their efforts to protect natural resources.

## Is Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West hard?

It's not a walk in the park, but it's not impossibly tough either. The course involves a fair amount of reading and critical thinking, which can be challenging if you're not used to it. The concepts aren't super complex, but you'll need to keep up with the readings and engage in class discussions to do well. Most students find it manageable with consistent effort.

## Tips for taking Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Stay on top of the readings - they're crucial for understanding the topics
3. Engage in class discussions - it helps reinforce the material
4. Look into documentaries like "Gather" or "Inhabitants" for visual context
5. Create a timeline of key events in Native American environmental history
6. Try to connect historical events to contemporary issues (e.g., Standing Rock protests)
7. Form study groups to discuss complex topics like traditional ecological knowledge

## Common pre-requisites for Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West

1. Introduction to Native American Studies: Provides a foundation in Native American history, culture, and contemporary issues. This course sets the stage for more specialized Native American Studies courses.

2. Environmental Studies 101: Introduces basic concepts of environmental science and human-environment interactions. It gives you a solid background in ecological principles that'll be useful in this course.

## Classes similar to Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West

1. Native American Land Rights and Policy: Examines the legal and political aspects of Native American land ownership and use. You'll learn about treaties, federal Indian law, and contemporary land disputes.

2. Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Focuses on indigenous ways of understanding and interacting with the natural world. The course explores how this knowledge can be applied to modern environmental challenges.

3. Environmental Justice in Indigenous Communities: Looks at how environmental issues disproportionately affect Native American populations. You'll study case studies of environmental racism and community activism.

4. Cultural Resource Management: Teaches methods for preserving and protecting Native American cultural sites and artifacts. This course combines archaeology, law, and Native American studies.

## Majors related to Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West

1. Native American Studies: Focuses on the history, culture, and contemporary issues of indigenous peoples in North America. Students gain a deep understanding of Native American perspectives and experiences.

2. Environmental Studies: Examines the relationship between humans and the natural world. Students learn about environmental issues, sustainability, and conservation from both scientific and social perspectives.

3. Anthropology: Studies human cultures and societies, both past and present. Students learn about cultural diversity, human evolution, and archaeological methods.

4. Geography: Explores the relationship between people and places. Students study physical landscapes, human settlements, and how cultures interact with their environments.

## What can you do with a degree in Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West?

1. Tribal Environmental Manager: Works with Native American tribes to manage natural resources and address environmental issues. This role involves balancing traditional practices with modern conservation techniques.

2. Cultural Resource Specialist: Protects and preserves Native American cultural sites and artifacts. They work with government agencies, tribes, and developers to ensure compliance with cultural resource laws.

3. Environmental Policy Analyst: Researches and develops policies related to environmental issues affecting Native American communities. They may work for government agencies, non-profits, or advocacy groups.

4. Native American Studies Professor: Teaches courses on Native American history, culture, and environmental issues at colleges or universities. They also conduct research and publish in academic journals.

## Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change in the North American West FAQs

1. How much fieldwork is involved in this course? While it varies by instructor, many versions of this course include at least one field trip to a local Native American site or community.

2. Do I need to know a lot about Native American history before taking this class? A basic understanding is helpful, but the course will cover necessary historical context.

3. Is this course only relevant for Native American students? Not at all - the course is valuable for anyone interested in environmental issues, cultural studies, or American history.

4. How does this course relate to current environmental movements? The course often draws connections between traditional Native practices and modern sustainability efforts, showing how indigenous knowledge can inform current environmental solutions.

Native American Studies

1.1 Major Indigenous cultural groups of the North American West

1.2 Pre-colonial Indigenous social structures

1.3 Indigenous cosmologies and worldviews

1.4 Pre-colonial Indigenous economies

1.5 Indigenous languages of the North American West

1.6 Pre-colonial environmental conditions

2.1 First European explorations in the North American West

2.4 Early trade relationships

2.5 Missionary activities and cultural impacts

2.6 Land dispossession and forced relocation

2.2 Columbian Exchange

2.3 Disease and demographic changes

3.2 Oral traditions and environmental knowledge

3.3 Indigenous calendars and seasonal knowledge

3.1 Defining traditional ecological knowledge

3.5 Animal behavior and ecological relationships

3.6 Intergenerational knowledge transfer

3.4 Traditional medicine and plant knowledge

4.1 Controlled burning and fire ecology

4.2 Agroforestry and forest management

4.3 Sustainable hunting and fishing practices

4.4 Water management techniques

4.6 Seasonal migration and resource use

4.5 Soil conservation methods

5.2 Temperate rainforests

5.1 Coastal and marine ecosystems

5.3 Grasslands and prairies

5.4 Mountain ecosystems

5.6 Riparian and wetland ecosystems

5.5 Desert and semi-arid regions

6.1 Temperature and precipitation changes

6.3 Shifts in plant and animal distributions

6.4 Extreme weather events

6.5 Impacts on traditional food sources

6.6 Climate change and cultural practices

6.2 Sea level rise and coastal impacts

7.1 Mining and Indigenous lands

7.2 Oil and gas extraction

7.4 Hydroelectric projects

7.3 Logging and deforestation

7.5 Free, prior, and informed consent

7.6 Environmental justice and Indigenous rights

8.1 Indigenous water rights doctrines

8.3 Tribal water settlements

8.2 Riparian and prior appropriation systems

8.4 Transboundary water issues

8.5 Water quality and contamination

8.6 Indigenous perspectives on water management

9.1 Tribal parks and protected areas

9.2 Co-management of natural resources

9.3 Indigenous guardians programs

9.5 Wildlife conservation initiatives

9.4 Restoration of traditional landscapes

9.6 Indigenous-led climate change adaptation

10.1 Federal Indian law and environmental regulation

10.2 Tribal environmental codes and enforcement

10.3 Intergovernmental agreements on environmental issues

10.5 Tribal consultation in environmental decision-making

10.6 International Indigenous rights frameworks

10.4 Land into trust process

11.2 Revival of traditional harvesting practices

11.1 Language revitalization and ecological knowledge

11.3 Restoration of sacred sites

11.4 Indigenous food sovereignty movements

11.5 Intergenerational environmental education

11.6 Cultural tourism and environmental awareness

12.2 Indigenous climate action networks

12.3 Land Back movement

12.4 Indigenous environmental NGOs

12.5 Intertribal coalitions for environmental protection

12.6 Indigenous representation in global environmental forums

12.1 Standing Rock and pipeline protests

Browse all Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Change Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next