Planetary Dysregulation & Indigenous Communities
June 2022
by Araceli Camargo
Introduction
Indigenous Peoples are from all over the world and cover various and distinct cultures, languages, practices and knowledges. It is not a race nor is it a monolith. Colonisation has affected Indigenous Peoples in varied and unique ways, ripping some of us from Ancestral Lands, Peoples, and culture whilst others are currently fighting to keep their territories as colonisation continues to evolve.
There is no one way “to be” Indigenous, we are all striving in our own ways to stay connected to our Ancestors, Knowledges, and Principles all whilst experiencing continual colonisation and/or occupation.
Finally, it must be acknowledged that Indigenous is a term that belongs to the white colonialist imagination and epistemology.
Before colonisation we were simply People, not Indigenous. We became Indigenous as an artificial “othering” created by the European settler. Therefore, Indigenous is a term that some Peoples may reject or are trying to re-appropriate.
Land Rights & Indigenous People’s Health
Considerations
We are asking for the following considerations to help support Indigenous health as we transition further into planetary dysregulation.
Include Indigenous Peoples in key decision making processes and strategies.
Give Indigenous Peoples autonomy to govern their Lands, health, and life.
Acknowledge and honour Land treaties.
Stop colonisation and the invasion of Indigenous territories
Invest in “re-connection” activities to bring Indigenous Peoples back to Ancestral Land.
Invest in Indigenous Languages, Knowledges, and Land practices.
Learn to equitably collaborate with Indigenous Peoples rather than appropriate or extract without permission.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This project was created to showcase the lived experience and expertise of the various marginalised communities being affected by the dysregulation of our planetary systems.
