Under Pressure: Diamond Mining and Everyday Life in Northern Canada

In 2007, Canada became the third-largest producer of diamonds in the world, primarily mined on the edge of the Arctic. Lindsay A. Bell's book, Under Pressure, examines the effects of diamond mining on an increasingly diverse northern population, focusing on everyday life in Hay River, a multi-ethnic town in the Northwest Territories. It illustrates the different ways Indigenous, settler, and immigrant northerners navigate the opportunities and obstacles created by large-scale resource development, using diamonds as an anthropological prism to consider larger issues related to Arctic extraction, globalization, Indigenous rights, and ethical consumption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Canada's remarkable transformation into the world's third-largest diamond producer in 2007 has brought about significant economic development and opportunities for nearby Indigenous communities, primarily mined on the Arctic's edge. Anthropologist Lindsay A. Bell delves into the profound effects of diamond mining on a diverse northern population in her book, "Under Pressure." Through an ethnographic focus on everyday life in Hay River, a multiethnic town in the Northwest Territories, Bell showcases the diverse ways Indigenous, settler, and immigrant northerners navigate the opportunities and challenges created by large-scale resource development. By contextualizing contemporary diamond mines within the region's long history of extraction, Bell offers a nuanced understanding of the social, cultural, and economic pressures that shape the people in this Northern community.

Rather than offering a simplistic binary of mining as either good or bad, "Under Pressure" employs diamonds as an anthropological prism to examine broader issues related to Arctic extraction, globalization, Indigenous rights, and ethical consumption. Bell's insightful analysis sheds light on the complex interplay between these factors and their impact on individuals and communities in the Arctic.

One of the book's key themes is the impact of mining on Indigenous cultures and ways of life. Bell highlights the historical and ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples to maintain their cultural practices and land rights in the face of resource development. She explores the ways in which mining companies have attempted to engage with Indigenous communities, both positively and negatively, and the challenges that arise from these interactions.

Bell also examines the economic benefits and challenges associated with diamond mining. While the industry has brought job opportunities and economic growth to the region, it has also led to environmental degradation, social inequality, and conflict. She explores the ways in which these issues are being addressed by governments, mining companies, and Indigenous communities, and the role that international organizations and policy frameworks play in shaping the outcomes.

"Under Pressure" is a valuable contribution to the field of anthropology and Arctic studies. It offers a nuanced and empathetic perspective on the effects of diamond mining on a diverse northern population. Bell's ethnographic approach and attention to the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of resource development make this book accessible to a wide audience, including scholars, policymakers, and concerned citizens.

In conclusion, "Under Pressure" is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the complex dynamics of Arctic extraction, globalization, Indigenous rights, and ethical consumption. By examining the effects of diamond mining on a diverse northern population, Bell offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of these critical issues and highlights the need for sustainable and inclusive development in the Arctic.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 226 x 152 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487548216