Indigenous Reconciliation through Conservation
October 17, 2022 By: Isabelle La Roche
Article #1
Conservation at its earliest stage was essentially a tool to justify the consumerism of nature and its use to humans. Preservation was not about preserving the “wildness” of nature but rather how to most efficiently benefit from its natural resources. This idea that nature is controllable by humans and exists only for the benefit of humans has infiltrated industries and the capitalist mindset of policymakers for over a century. Moreover, it has been the result of mass Indigenous displacement across the country. This article points to the importance of reconciliation through conservation. Indigenous people have always understood that Nature is a gift that provides as long as it is respected. It is more about reciprocity than profit and production. Although the Government of Canada has taken many steps towards conservation and preservation, it has not yet taken a decolonized approach and valued the groups of people who have a deep understanding of the land they’ve existed on longer than anyone else. As this article states, Studies show that Indigenous-managed lands are ecologically healthier and these natural areas play a key defensive role in the climate change response. I hope Indigenous leaders and TEK (Traditional Environmental Knowledge) experts are able to take charge of Canada’s conservation plan as a part of the long overdue reconciliation.
Article #2
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022ENV0035-000863
The removal of Indigenous people and their exclusion from decisions and policy-making regarding National Parks and conservation areas for the interest of game conservation, sport hunting, tourism, and Indigenous assimilation is something very ironic to me. In attempting to conserve game and nature while profiting from both in tourism, they’ve cast aside a traditional system of knowledge that has long cared for and understood the very same land without destruction or need for further preservation. This article discusses a pilot program in BC wherein Indigenous guardians will be appointed to have the same legal authority as BC Parks rangers to ensure the land and all of its natural and cultural values are protected. Indigenous people value long-term decision-making over short-sighted decisions that generate immediate gratification. I hope this type of pilot program extends to more than just a couple of parks or provinces. Indigenous people have invaluable knowledge that should be used in order to preserve and restore nature.