NAIS3001 — Indigenous Environmentalism
Indigeneity is often defined by a deeply historical, intimate connection to a place. This course will examine that idea from a number of angles with an eye for thinking critically about what it means to be a human on this earth. From the historical in terms of the ecological Indian stereotype and the idea of fortress conservation, to modern day political movements such as DAPL and indigenous-led conservation movements. From the philosophical, exploring differing ontologies of the human/animal world comparing a western, scientific mindset to the relational, kinship model of Native America, to the scientific using examples of Indigenous ecological innovations (ex: Corn varietals and irrigation in the Southwest) and ecological management. Through our coursework, we will come to a fuller understanding not just of Indigenous ways of being, but also of our place in this world.