Article 29(1) of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples declares that “[i]indigenous peoples have the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources”.
Globally, indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by environmental burdens compared to their non-indigenous counterparts. Some of these environmental burdens are, or relate to, the following:
· Contaminated Drinking Water
· Extractive Projects
· Hydroelectric Projects
· Indoor Air Pollution
· Flight Testing
1. Briefly describe in your own words the environmental situation or burden affecting the aboriginal community.
2. Discuss the tension between First World and First Peoples environmental ideologies. Use examples from your chosen situation to demonstrate the First World view that commodifies land versus the First Peoples’ view that we are the caretakers of land.
3. Discuss solutions to balance the needs of industrialized nations, indigenous belief systems, and environmental sustainability.
You are free to use any of the resources available on the following pages, or conduct your own research. You are also free to focus on another type of environmental burden faced by aboriginal peoples that is not listed above.
This is an individual assignment. Academic Integrity will be strictly enforced. All submissions will be subject to Turnitin.