Indigenous Environmental Justice

 

    Environmental Justice and the Indigenous people of America have a long history of discourse and feud. Starting all the back to when European settlers came to the Americas 500 years ago, the Native American people have been struggling for their land and resources. Activism and protest didn't start until the late 1960's where people rallied against environmental racism and other environmental issues that negatively affected indigenous people. There are many different groups and organizations that have arise from the early protests due to the public getting the real accounts of this environmental injustice that has been going on for many years. Groups such as The American Indian Movement that emerged around this time period, and were often focused around land and environmental exploitation. Additionally, much of the American Indian Movement is significant for the  involvement in major events of civil disobedience and conflict. Other groups like the Indigenous Environmental Network work to connect people to the issues regarding environmental injustice an have active petitions on their website to help support various issues. 

Protesting the Dakota Access pipeline, Native Americans march on Washington, D.C.

However, despite the active protests and people coming together to fight, little has changed and been done by the federal and local governments. The Environmental Protection Agency is an executive agency of the federal government that  is tasked with environmental protection matters. This branch is suppose to enforce fair laws that prohibit illegal activity that affect the environment. They don't actually have a good reputation in promoting and helping environmental issues regarding Indigenous peoples. There are some ways that can help the other organizations that call for environmental justice for native people. One way that I thought of was to increase the EPA funding toward these groups. This will not only prolong the life of these organizations but also encourage more to be created. Funding is a big part of any organization especially when they are non-profit as most are. More can be done with more funding such as holding more rallies or growing their influence throughout the Country and possibly the world. Another way could to be allow for more presentation of indigenous people within the EPA and other governmental environmental groups. This representation can allow for better legislation to be passed in favor of them. I would support both of these ideas because they both can benefit Native Americans and provide more environmental justice to the most environmentally friendly people.