[IPSM] this thursday: Aboriginal Student's Network Reading Series Discussion

[Devin Butler Burke]

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Aboriginal Student's Network Reading Series Discussion-moderator
by Shalan Joudry and Alex Thomson

*****Aboriginal Student's Network Reading Series******

The Aboriginal Students' Network will be hosting a Reading Series on the
topic of Traditional Ecological Knowledge.  Participants will read an
article before attending the discussions, which can be picked up at Rowles
house, at Mac campus, and in the MESS lounge, in the MSE
downtown.  The goal of the discussion is not to pass judgement about the
issue but to examine all sides and come up with strategies for examining
power dynamics between Aboriginal communities and
environmental groups working with TEK.

The discussion will be held in the MESS Lounge, MSE Building, 3535
University St., Downtown Campus at 6:00 this Thursday, February 17th at
6:00pm. We hope to see you there!



How Environmental Discourse sometimes excludes Aboriginal People

There is a tenuousness to the link between environmental groups and
Aboriginal communities.  Both have interest in maintaining the
integrity of ecosystems. There have been many cases of positive
collaboration between Aboriginal people, communities and Nations and
non-Aboriginal environmentalists.  The pressure put on Hydro-Quebec,
(especially through a lost contract in New York State) by the Cree Council
of Northern Quebec was a collaborative effort with
environmental groups.  The successful expulsion of an Exxon mine from
Wisconsin involved using the political experience of non-Native
groups, and the assertion of treaty rights by the Sokaogon Ojibwe. 
Environmental groups have allied with Aboriginal people, communities and
Nations in anti-nuclear efforts, in creating Co-Management park scenes,
and in anti-deforestation programs.

However, the interests of both parties do not always coincide.
Environmental groups did not adequately consult the Nuu-chah-nulth w hen
fighting for the 'protection' of Clayoquot Sounds on Vancouver Island,
interests collide when Aboriginal communities like the Cree want to use
mosaic logging techniques to develop their economy, animal rights
activists have caused a decline in living standards by
decimating the fur-based economies of many Northern communities.  As well,
researchers searching for TEK (traditional ecological knowledge) have
inundated some communities with requests, causing a backlash in which
communities asserted control over research, or banned it
completely.  In most of these interactions, non-Aboriginal
environmental groups have failed to adequately consider the interests of
the Aboriginal people, communities or Nations they seek to work with. As
Aboriginal communities work towards decolonization or
self-determination,  non-Aboriginal environmental groups, need to
respect this evolution and change their perspectives.

The Aboriginal Students' Network will be hosting a Reading Series on the
topic of Traditional Ecological Knowledge.  Participants will read an
article before attending the discussions, which can be picked up at Rowles
house, at Mac campus, and in the MESS lounge, in the MSE
downtown.  The goal of the discussion is not to pass judgement about the
issue but to examine all sides and come up with strategies for examining
power dynamics between Aboriginal communities and
environmental groups working with TEK.

The discussion will be held in the MESS Lounge, MSE Building, 3535
University St., Downtown Campus at 6:00 this Thursday, February 17th at
6:00pm. We hope to see you there!