In-Depth Notes on Indigenous Conservation and the Anthropocene

Understanding the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene is defined as the epoch during which human activities have notably impacted the Earth's geology and ecosystems. Some scholars argue that it began around 1610 due to the effects of colonialism, global trade, and coal usage. It is characterized by climate destabilization that threatens various ecosystems and species, driven primarily by human economic activities and consumerism reliant on fossil fuels and destructive land-use practices like deforestation. Advocacy within conservation circles differs; some argue for accepting changes as intrinsic to the Anthropocene while prioritizing certain ecosystems, while others adamantly oppose species extinction as morally indefensible.

Dystopian Perspectives in Anthropocene Discourse

The juxtaposition of conservation views presents a dystopian lens on possible futures, where countless species' stories may be irrevocably lost. Many conservationists advocate for a refrain from actions that would lead to extinction, positing that species hold unique historical and ecological value.

Indigenous Perspectives and Conservation Practices

Indigenous communities offer a distinct approach to conservation. They emphasize the interconnectedness of their ecological, cultural, and economic relationships with native species and ecosystems. This approach recognizes that many indigenous peoples have already experienced what can be defined as a form of dystopia due to environmental degradation and loss of traditional lands from settler colonial actions. The focus is on maintaining beneficial relationships with native species that hold significance within their cultural narratives rather than adhering strictly to global environmental trends.

These perspectives resonate with the understanding that while all societies modify their environments, industrial settler actions have profoundly altered ecosystems. This includes practices such as deforestation and pollution that not only transformed landscapes but also limited indigenous peoples' abilities to adapt to these changes through processes like removal and containment on reservations.

There is a focus on species that are ‘entangled within local life’, suggesting that conservation efforts should prioritize those species which are integral to the cultural identity and practices of indigenous communities.

The Influence of Settler Colonialism

Settler colonialism has historically decimated plant and animal populations and disrupted indigenous peoples' relationships with their environments. Campaigns for land settlement have resulted in over-exploitation of resources and cultural erasure of indigenous practices and ‘inscribing permanent roots’ in the indigenous land. As processes of industrialization progressed, the ecosystems with which indigenous peoples interacted drastically transformed, leading to what many regard as a dystopian scenario of lost connections to land.

industrial settler states will implement policies that protect and enable indigenous displacement by failing to recognize their ancestral stewardship of the land. This exclusion perpetuates a cycle of environmental degradation and reinforces the need for decolonizing conservation practices that not only include indigenous voices but also respect their profound understanding and historical connection to the ecosystems they inhabit. These states are also institutionalised erasing the systems of their indigenous nature and imposing military surveilance and legal enforcement that follow a ‘structure of oppression’

Environmental Degradation and Current Conservation Efforts

Today, many indigenous peoples witness climate-related changes such as rising sea levels and increased drought severity, often exacerbating previous environmental harms. Climate destabilization reflects a continuation of the industrial settler impact, further endangering the flora and fauna integral to indigenous cultures. This reality underscores the need for indigenous conservation efforts that adapt and restore relationships between communities and their native ecosystems.

indigenous people are legally confined by the industrial settler campaigns but also made immobile making it difficult for them adapt to changes.

Conservation Projects: Nmé, Manoomin, and Nibi

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians underscores the importance of nmé (Lake Sturgeon) as an ecological and cultural keystone species, leading conservation efforts to restore its population through culturally attuned practices. Community involvement in these restoration projects links cultural heritage with contemporary environmental stewardship building stronger relationships of responsibility and tradition between the sturgeon and indigenous people

• situating the project at the convergence of deep Anishinaabe history and industrial settler campaigns

Similarly, the significance of manoomin (wild rice) in Anishinaabe culture predicates strong conservation efforts against industrial impacts leading to its decline. Educational initiatives, through symposium, aim to reconnect deep indigenous histories and narratives around manoomin as well as restoration experiences with contemporary conservation practices, focusing on self-determination and ecological integrity.

Nibi, or water, plays a foundational role in Anishinaabe cosmology. Industrial pollution threatens water quality and availability, prompting collective action among indigenous women to revitalize connections to water through initiatives like the Mother Earth Water Walk, affirming water's sacredness within their culture and emphasising its recognition as a living entity.

Conclusion: Reconciliation, Responsibility, and Coexistence

Indigenous conservation strategies highlight a convergence between historical practices and contemporary challenges posed by anthropogenic changes. These projects seek to reconcile both indigenous and settler histories in pursuit of shared accountability in conservation efforts, emphasizing the critical value of fostering relationships among both human and nonhuman entities. it is important to reconcile differences in cultures and histories to build accountability in collaborative approaches to address urgent environmental concerns.

Moreover, they create dialogue regarding environmental justice, pollution, and the moral imperatives of preserving ecosystems amidst the challenges of the Anthropocene.