Environmental Justice as Decolonization: Political Contention, Innovation and Resistance Over Indigenous Fishing Rights in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States

This book emphasizes the role of Indigenous peoples as central activists in environmental justice struggles by examining and comparing the negotiation of fishing rights in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It reveals the agential dynamics and structural constraints that have resulted in varying degrees of success for Indigenous communities, highlighting the cultural, political, and ecological dimensions of colonization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 220 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book challenges the prevalent tendency in scholarly discourse to relegate Indigenous peoples to the periphery of discussions on environmental inequality by centering them as vital activists in the pursuit of environmental justice. Through a comprehensive examination of archival and interview data, the author delves into and compares the historical and contemporary processes through which Indigenous fishing rights have been negotiated in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. What emerges is a fascinating exploration of three distinct patterns that have emerged and persisted, shedding light on the agential dynamics and structural constraints that have shaped varying degrees of success for Indigenous communities in their quest to define the terms of their rights to access traditionally harvested fisheries and achieve economic stability through commercial fishing enterprises.

The book weaves rich narratives of conquest, resistance, dominance, resilience, and marginalization, providing a deep understanding of the fundamentally cultural, political, and ecological dimensions of colonization. By delving into the key mechanisms through which Indigenous assertions of rights to natural resources can systematically transform enduring political and cultural vestiges of colonization, the author offers a profound exploration of environmental justice as a fundamental ingredient in broader processes of decolonization.

Environmental Justice as Decolonization is a groundbreaking work that will appeal to scholars across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, environmental studies, law, and Indigenous studies. It provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex interplay between environmental inequality, colonialism, and Indigenous rights, and offers insightful perspectives on the path towards a more just and sustainable world.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367548698