Contamination Culture Research Paper
Courtney Lee
Professor Hernandez-Avila
NAS 010, SEC A06
1 December 2014
Contaminated Culture For decades, indigenous peoples in every part of the world were forced to endure oppression, discrimination, and many other forms of abuse. A major issue that comes up when discussing indigenous rights is their struggle with the preservation of their land and resources, and the effects that has on native culture. Although there are laws enacted supposedly to protect and preserve indigenous property, many times, these laws are overlooked or ignored, and justice is not upheld. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international instrument meant to protect native rights. This, along with other legal documents …show more content…
Charitable organizations are a great way for non-native people or native peoples from other areas to help out affected groups. They provide a middleman between the affected people and those who want to help. One organization that strives to help indigenous peoples is The Cultural Conservancy. Their mission is to “protect and restore indigenous cultures, empowering them in the direct application of their traditional knowledge and practices on their ancestral lands” (Nelson). They want to encourage the spread and practice of native practices and the people who carry on legacies. Having the support of such an organization helps empower native people to take action when they are mistreated. Having these types of organizations backing up may inspire various types of activism. Back to the issue with the mercury pollution, Achuar indigenous protesters decided to take matters into their own hands. A crowd of 500 Achuar people occupied Peru’s largest oil field, demanding a cleanup. They also took control of a thermoelectric plant, oil tanks, and important roads. Because of this uproar, the Peruvian government declared three environmental emergencies in areas affected by the mining. A government commission is being developed as well. Peru’s Environment Ministry stated, “the commission formed by the government and company representatives has been assigned to work with communities to tackle pollution problems and other concerns” (Collyns). The activism shown in these native communities was the driving factor behind getting the government to do its job. Although there is no way to fully make up for what has happened to them, getting the government to recognize the issue and begin to take action is a huge
Professor Hernandez-Avila
NAS 010, SEC A06
1 December 2014
Contaminated Culture For decades, indigenous peoples in every part of the world were forced to endure oppression, discrimination, and many other forms of abuse. A major issue that comes up when discussing indigenous rights is their struggle with the preservation of their land and resources, and the effects that has on native culture. Although there are laws enacted supposedly to protect and preserve indigenous property, many times, these laws are overlooked or ignored, and justice is not upheld. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international instrument meant to protect native rights. This, along with other legal documents …show more content…
Charitable organizations are a great way for non-native people or native peoples from other areas to help out affected groups. They provide a middleman between the affected people and those who want to help. One organization that strives to help indigenous peoples is The Cultural Conservancy. Their mission is to “protect and restore indigenous cultures, empowering them in the direct application of their traditional knowledge and practices on their ancestral lands” (Nelson). They want to encourage the spread and practice of native practices and the people who carry on legacies. Having the support of such an organization helps empower native people to take action when they are mistreated. Having these types of organizations backing up may inspire various types of activism. Back to the issue with the mercury pollution, Achuar indigenous protesters decided to take matters into their own hands. A crowd of 500 Achuar people occupied Peru’s largest oil field, demanding a cleanup. They also took control of a thermoelectric plant, oil tanks, and important roads. Because of this uproar, the Peruvian government declared three environmental emergencies in areas affected by the mining. A government commission is being developed as well. Peru’s Environment Ministry stated, “the commission formed by the government and company representatives has been assigned to work with communities to tackle pollution problems and other concerns” (Collyns). The activism shown in these native communities was the driving factor behind getting the government to do its job. Although there is no way to fully make up for what has happened to them, getting the government to recognize the issue and begin to take action is a huge