Humans need the Earth to survive, but slowly the negative impacts of our actions are becoming apparent on the environment, and the dire consequences are being felt. I have engaged with research that puts into conversation Indigeneity and environmentalism, and have found that western based environmentalism ultimately supports a capitalist and consumer society, while Indigenous environmentalism stems from a more personal relationship with the Earth. Therefore, it more actively promotes positive action, which as Dauvergne argues, is the only solution to halting the intense environmental degradation the biosphere is facing. While Western environmentalism has been attempting to remedy this problem while still enabling humans to continue consuming and living as usual, Indigenous environmentalism embodies a more active, and holistic approach to environmental practices and sustainability. Thus, traditional Indigenous environmentalism promotes a better solution to saving the Earth than modern western environmentalism. The exploration of this topic is valuable because humans need a healthy environment to survive, and in recent years, the conversations surrounding environmental practices have becoming increasingly important. By understanding and teaching the root beliefs of Indigenous environmentalism, humanity would be motivated to take direct action in regards to sustainability and green practices.
First and foremost, both western environmentalism and Indigenous environmentalism will need to be thoroughly defined in order to have a clear argument. I will draw on Dauvergne and Bernstein to define western environmentalism, and Takeda, Tripp, and Kinch to help define Indigenous environmentalism. While these are just a few scholars in countless who have explored these concepts, they provide enough background to support the idea that western environmentalism enables capitalism, and traditional Indigenous environmentalism promotes a personal relationship with the Earth that encourages sustainability.
Next, I will detail real world examples of when both types of environmentalism have come into conversation with each other. These examples include exploration of the business practices in the Canadian salmon industry, the preservation of rainforests in Haida Gwaii, the success of a campaign to save 50,000 hectors of forest in Squamish, and a look at the international attention the Dakota access pipeline receive and the Indigenous efforts surrounding that awareness.
When examining this research, it is important to understand what motivates the practices associated with both types of environmentalism. Most people do not understand that western environmentalism enables consumption. Additionally, it is interesting to see how deeply Indigenous environmentalism focuses on the personal benefits the Earth awards each person, and the sense of gratefulness that surrounds their practices regarding the land.
Obviously, not all western people believe in western environmentalism, and not all Indigenous people hold the same core beliefs that traditional Indigenous environmentalism is rooted in. So it is important to also engage with scholars like Krech and Willow that have published articles that are in opposition to my argument. By exploring their viewpoints, a more well-rounded understanding of Indigenous environmentalism is achieved.