Healthy rivers, lakes, oceans, air, forests and whenua are fundamental to the physical, social, cultural, economic and metaphysical well-being of Indigenous peoples. Capitalist colonial appropriation, control and exploitation of lands, waters, forests and other resources has resulted in ecological, social and economic disruption and distress for Māori and other Indigenous peoples.
This course will focus on contemporary issues related to Indigenous peoples and the environment. Particular focus will be on the interface between Indigenous peoples, governments and corporates. Topics will include Indigenous responses to environmental degradation; Indigenous peoples and extractive industries; sustainable development; Indigenous environmental protest movements; land and treaty rights; traditional knowledge and resource protection; and Indigenous peoples and climate change.