Contamination Culture Research Paper
Courtney Lee
Professor Hernandez-Avila
NAS 010, SEC A06
1 December 2014
Contaminated Culture For decades, indigenous peoples in every part of the world were forced to endure oppression, discrimination, and many other forms of abuse. A major issue that comes up when discussing indigenous rights is their struggle with the preservation of their land and resources, and the effects that has on native culture. Although there are laws enacted supposedly to protect and preserve indigenous property, many times, these laws are overlooked or ignored, and justice is not upheld. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international instrument meant to protect native rights. This, along with other legal documents …show more content…
and the work of activists, are central to the protection of indigenous peoples and the resources that rightfully belong to them. The UNDRIP is a document that was presented to the United Nations and adopted in 2007. It was meant to clearly define specific rights and what the government was and was not allowed to do regarding native peoples. The goal of the document is to encourage countries to work alongside indigenous nations to solve global issues, such as environmental issues or cultural depreciation. Article 24, subsection 1 states that indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices. Their vital medicinal plants, animals, and minerals are to be conserved as well. Ingenious individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services. In Article 26, subsection 3, it is affirmed that how states are to give legal recognition and protection to indigenous lands, territories, and resources. Such recognition must be conducted with due respect to native customs, traditions, and land tenure systems. Finally, part 1 of Article 28 declares that indigenous peoples have the right to redress, such as restitution or fair and equitable compensation, for what was taken from them without prior consent. This may include, but is not limited to, lands, territories, and resources that were owned, occupied, or used by indigenous peoples and were confiscated, taken, occupied, used, or damaged without permission (UN General). The UNDRIP is a very important document because it applies to so many problems indigenous peoples face today. As long as it is respected and followed, no native peoples’ rights should be infringed on. The problem is that the UNDRIP is not always respected and obeyed. When this happens, not only do the indigenous peoples themselves suffer, but also their culture, along with its practices and beliefs. This horrendous situation is present even today. Although the UNDRIP was not accepted too long ago, modern-day society should respect all agreements and legal documents, no matter how new they are. This lack of respect for the well being of native peoples is the cause of a lot of issues. The Achuar people, along with many other native communities, face a very detrimental issue. The native communities in Peru’s southeastern Amazon are facing the life-threatening effects of illegal gold mining in their area. The illegal miners have made the mercury concentrations skyrocket to more than three times the level of their non-native counterparts. The mercury is used to extract the gold from river silt. Then, more than 30 tons of the toxic mercury is dumped into the rivers and lakes in the Amazon region. The native communities had levels of mercury “roughly five times [more than] that considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (ICTMN STAFF). The children in these communities face the greatest threat. They are much more vulnerable as a group when it comes to the mercury poisoning. Women of childbearing age were greatly affected as well. The mercury may result in severe, permanent brain damage to an unborn child. The mercury is also poisoning the fish in the rivers, which is a primary food source for native communities by the river. Their water is poisoned as well. There is no way for them to avoid being exposed to such harmful chemicals. A local city, Madre de Dios, is also facing major deforestation due to the miners. Their food and water is poisoned, their forests are being destroyed, and their people are dying. There are laws put in place by the UNDRIP, but it must be enforced by the government. The company Pluspetrol “had not compiled with a 2006 agreement to clean up pollution dating back four decades” (Collyns). The government of Peru has done nothing to stop the illegal gold miners so far. The Achuar people, as well as hundreds of other native communities and their cultures will soon die out if nothing is done to protect them. If the governing bodies of nations are not doing anything to help, the people of a nation must do what they can to help.
Charitable organizations are a great way for non-native people or native peoples from other areas to help out affected groups. They provide a middleman between the affected people and those who want to help. One organization that strives to help indigenous peoples is The Cultural Conservancy. Their mission is to “protect and restore indigenous cultures, empowering them in the direct application of their traditional knowledge and practices on their ancestral lands” (Nelson). They want to encourage the spread and practice of native practices and the people who carry on legacies. Having the support of such an organization helps empower native people to take action when they are mistreated. Having these types of organizations backing up may inspire various types of activism. Back to the issue with the mercury pollution, Achuar indigenous protesters decided to take matters into their own hands. A crowd of 500 Achuar people occupied Peru’s largest oil field, demanding a cleanup. They also took control of a thermoelectric plant, oil tanks, and important roads. Because of this uproar, the Peruvian government declared three environmental emergencies in areas affected by the mining. A government commission is being developed as well. Peru’s Environment Ministry stated, “the commission formed by the government and company representatives has been assigned to work with communities to tackle pollution problems and other concerns” (Collyns). The activism shown in these native communities was the driving factor behind getting the government to do its job. Although there is no way to fully make up for what has happened to them, getting the government to recognize the issue and begin to take action is a huge
step. The mistreatment of indigenous peoples has gone on for far too long. Although there are documents meant to protect indigenous peoples, proper action must be taken to enforce these laws. However, there are a number of organizations and activist movements working toward getting justice. The determination of native peoples, along with the support they receive from various organizations and others wanting justice, is what will lead to pushing indigenous rights in the right direction.
Word Count: 1,124
Works Cited
Nelson, Melissa, Nicola Wagenberg, and Phil Klasky. "Guiding Principles." The Cultural Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nativeland.org/mission.html>.
ICTMN STAFF. "As It Happened: Indigenous Peoples Leading off the People’s Climate March, in Photos Read More at Http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/gallery/photo/it-happened-indigenous-peoples-leading-peoples-climate-march-photos-157312." Indian Counrty. N.p., 12 Oct. 2014. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Findiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com%2Fgallery%2Fphoto%2Fit-happened-indigenous-peoples-leading-peoples-climate-march-photos-157312>.
Collyns, Dan. "Indigenous Protesters Occupy Peru 's Biggest Amazon Oil Field." The Guardian. N.p., 25 Apr. 2014. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2014%2Fapr%2F25%2Findigenous-protesters-occupy-perus-biggest-amazon-oilfield>.
Collyns, Dan. "Illegal Gold Mining Exposing Peru 's Indigenous Tribes to Mercury Poisoning." The Guardian. N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2013%2Fsep%2F09%2Fperu-amazon-indigenous-tribe-gold-mining>
Professor Hernandez-Avila
NAS 010, SEC A06
1 December 2014
Contaminated Culture For decades, indigenous peoples in every part of the world were forced to endure oppression, discrimination, and many other forms of abuse. A major issue that comes up when discussing indigenous rights is their struggle with the preservation of their land and resources, and the effects that has on native culture. Although there are laws enacted supposedly to protect and preserve indigenous property, many times, these laws are overlooked or ignored, and justice is not upheld. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is an international instrument meant to protect native rights. This, along with other legal documents …show more content…
and the work of activists, are central to the protection of indigenous peoples and the resources that rightfully belong to them. The UNDRIP is a document that was presented to the United Nations and adopted in 2007. It was meant to clearly define specific rights and what the government was and was not allowed to do regarding native peoples. The goal of the document is to encourage countries to work alongside indigenous nations to solve global issues, such as environmental issues or cultural depreciation. Article 24, subsection 1 states that indigenous peoples have the right to their traditional medicines and to maintain their health practices. Their vital medicinal plants, animals, and minerals are to be conserved as well. Ingenious individuals also have the right to access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services. In Article 26, subsection 3, it is affirmed that how states are to give legal recognition and protection to indigenous lands, territories, and resources. Such recognition must be conducted with due respect to native customs, traditions, and land tenure systems. Finally, part 1 of Article 28 declares that indigenous peoples have the right to redress, such as restitution or fair and equitable compensation, for what was taken from them without prior consent. This may include, but is not limited to, lands, territories, and resources that were owned, occupied, or used by indigenous peoples and were confiscated, taken, occupied, used, or damaged without permission (UN General). The UNDRIP is a very important document because it applies to so many problems indigenous peoples face today. As long as it is respected and followed, no native peoples’ rights should be infringed on. The problem is that the UNDRIP is not always respected and obeyed. When this happens, not only do the indigenous peoples themselves suffer, but also their culture, along with its practices and beliefs. This horrendous situation is present even today. Although the UNDRIP was not accepted too long ago, modern-day society should respect all agreements and legal documents, no matter how new they are. This lack of respect for the well being of native peoples is the cause of a lot of issues. The Achuar people, along with many other native communities, face a very detrimental issue. The native communities in Peru’s southeastern Amazon are facing the life-threatening effects of illegal gold mining in their area. The illegal miners have made the mercury concentrations skyrocket to more than three times the level of their non-native counterparts. The mercury is used to extract the gold from river silt. Then, more than 30 tons of the toxic mercury is dumped into the rivers and lakes in the Amazon region. The native communities had levels of mercury “roughly five times [more than] that considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (ICTMN STAFF). The children in these communities face the greatest threat. They are much more vulnerable as a group when it comes to the mercury poisoning. Women of childbearing age were greatly affected as well. The mercury may result in severe, permanent brain damage to an unborn child. The mercury is also poisoning the fish in the rivers, which is a primary food source for native communities by the river. Their water is poisoned as well. There is no way for them to avoid being exposed to such harmful chemicals. A local city, Madre de Dios, is also facing major deforestation due to the miners. Their food and water is poisoned, their forests are being destroyed, and their people are dying. There are laws put in place by the UNDRIP, but it must be enforced by the government. The company Pluspetrol “had not compiled with a 2006 agreement to clean up pollution dating back four decades” (Collyns). The government of Peru has done nothing to stop the illegal gold miners so far. The Achuar people, as well as hundreds of other native communities and their cultures will soon die out if nothing is done to protect them. If the governing bodies of nations are not doing anything to help, the people of a nation must do what they can to help.
Charitable organizations are a great way for non-native people or native peoples from other areas to help out affected groups. They provide a middleman between the affected people and those who want to help. One organization that strives to help indigenous peoples is The Cultural Conservancy. Their mission is to “protect and restore indigenous cultures, empowering them in the direct application of their traditional knowledge and practices on their ancestral lands” (Nelson). They want to encourage the spread and practice of native practices and the people who carry on legacies. Having the support of such an organization helps empower native people to take action when they are mistreated. Having these types of organizations backing up may inspire various types of activism. Back to the issue with the mercury pollution, Achuar indigenous protesters decided to take matters into their own hands. A crowd of 500 Achuar people occupied Peru’s largest oil field, demanding a cleanup. They also took control of a thermoelectric plant, oil tanks, and important roads. Because of this uproar, the Peruvian government declared three environmental emergencies in areas affected by the mining. A government commission is being developed as well. Peru’s Environment Ministry stated, “the commission formed by the government and company representatives has been assigned to work with communities to tackle pollution problems and other concerns” (Collyns). The activism shown in these native communities was the driving factor behind getting the government to do its job. Although there is no way to fully make up for what has happened to them, getting the government to recognize the issue and begin to take action is a huge
step. The mistreatment of indigenous peoples has gone on for far too long. Although there are documents meant to protect indigenous peoples, proper action must be taken to enforce these laws. However, there are a number of organizations and activist movements working toward getting justice. The determination of native peoples, along with the support they receive from various organizations and others wanting justice, is what will lead to pushing indigenous rights in the right direction.
Word Count: 1,124
Works Cited
Nelson, Melissa, Nicola Wagenberg, and Phil Klasky. "Guiding Principles." The Cultural Conservancy. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nativeland.org/mission.html>.
ICTMN STAFF. "As It Happened: Indigenous Peoples Leading off the People’s Climate March, in Photos Read More at Http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/gallery/photo/it-happened-indigenous-peoples-leading-peoples-climate-march-photos-157312." Indian Counrty. N.p., 12 Oct. 2014. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Findiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com%2Fgallery%2Fphoto%2Fit-happened-indigenous-peoples-leading-peoples-climate-march-photos-157312>.
Collyns, Dan. "Indigenous Protesters Occupy Peru 's Biggest Amazon Oil Field." The Guardian. N.p., 25 Apr. 2014. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2014%2Fapr%2F25%2Findigenous-protesters-occupy-perus-biggest-amazon-oilfield>.
Collyns, Dan. "Illegal Gold Mining Exposing Peru 's Indigenous Tribes to Mercury Poisoning." The Guardian. N.p., n.d. Web. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fenvironment%2F2013%2Fsep%2F09%2Fperu-amazon-indigenous-tribe-gold-mining>