Colonialism, Policy, and Indigenous Governance in the Changing Anthropocene: Climate Change and Pollution

This seminar delves into colonialism's profound impact on Indigenous communities' strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change. Additionally, it explores the influence of Indigenous self-determination and resurgence on climate change, drawing insights from two distinct doctoral research studies.

Speakers

Fabienne Rioux-Gobeil

In Canada and Australia, energy transition systems have evolved towards more decentralised approaches, involving a wider range of actors and locations. This shift includes engaging Indigenous groups with traditional or treaty rights, which brings unique regulatory and coordination challenges and opportunities. While much research has focused on decentralising energy systems from technological and social perspectives, the current governance models may not fully address Indigenous territorial and political claims. To address this gap, I propose a governance model that respects Indigenous self-determination interests: the multi-territorial governance model (MTG), drawing from relational network theories such as international relations, Indigenous relationalism, and entangled territorialities. Finally, this presentation explores the potential impact of the MTG on energy transitions in Canada and Australia.

Brianna Gordon

For Indigenous Peoples, our connection to our land, which I call Country, is holistic, encompassing interconnected physical, cultural, historical, artistic, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. In many Indigenous communities, environmental pollution, exacerbated by climate change, can disproportionately affect physical health, cultural practices, traditional food sources, and sacred sites. Despite these impacts, contemporary government-led pollution management policies often fail to account for the deep interconnection between Indigenous Peoples and Country and, therefore, are insufficient for the needs of Indigenous Peoples and Country. This discussion, grounded in a Wiradjuri First Nations perspective, will explore how Indigenous-led approaches reshape global pollution management. By drawing on millennia of Indigenous knowledges, sciences, and practices, these approaches offer pathways to care for Country—ensuring that Country, in turn, continues to care for us.

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