TakingITGlobal

I. Colonization in Relation to Carbonization Our entire study is based on colonization as a framework for understanding climate change in a way we think is not always recognized. To colonize is to settle among, and establish control over, a territory and its people. Colonization is the process by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. In short, colonizers enforce their culture and lifestyle onto original inhabitants of the land. "Colonization has been a force that divided the world; causing wars and centuries of social upheaval, damaging the economic position of nations and industrializing others through the exploitation of resources, destroying cultures, changing spiritual ties with the environment and creating social issues like white supremacy and racism." ~ Scarlett Parkes, New Zealand. In many colonized nations, European settlers formed a large majority of the population by taking over the land; New Zealand, the Americas, and Australia are examples. The colonized land was often considered to be "terra nullius," or "empty land," as the land was deemed as unaltered by humankind whether or not Indigenous communities were present. The tactics of colonization have changed over the years, from the rough and brutal use of guns and swords to the use of the ignorance of governments and organizations - though violence is still used. For example, in the case of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the US government ignored the protests and requests of the Sioux people at Standing Rock, who wanted to protect their ancient burial grounds and clean water sources. In this example, the Sioux were forced to accept this development at military force. Colonization has had drastic effects on Indigenous communities and other colonized peoples, the environment, and the colonists themselves, even today. Current Colonization Many youth around the world are taught to believe that colonization only occurred in the past. Although legacies of historical colonization have left a scaring impact on many communities around the planet, many new manifestations of colonization are currently impacting numerous communities around the world to this day. These aspects are shown in between and within countries and come in the form of political, social, and cultural control, where colonized people lose their decision making power. A case study we investigated which shows all three of these aspects involves the Lubicon Cree communities in northern Alberta, Canada. In a political sense, we can see that the basic human rights of these Indigenous communities are not being protected by Canada because of their land's connection with the oil industry. These oil companies set up oil extraction on Lubicon Cree lands, which were subsequently affected by oil spills, contamination, and forest fires. These communities have experienced increased respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, renal failure, lupus, diabetes and rare cancers as a result. Many Lubicon Cree people are now moving away from these reserves which impacts their culture and can lead to loss of traditions. In these communities, the Lubicon Cree people are not able to practice their traditions, such as fishing, hunting, and using plants that are important to maintaining their traditional ways of life. As this example shows, current colonization has many different kinds of effects. Oil Sands Production, Bea Nguyen, Canada 3

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