World Conservation Congress 2016

Addressing Historic Injustice in Conservation Efforts

The 2016 World Conservation Congress was epic -- not without its controversy and criticism, of course -- but still a generally amazing opportunity to engage with environmental protection efforts of every kind.  A bright spot at this year’s congress was the passage of resolution 29 to respect the rights of indigenous people living on land protected for conservation.  Introduced by new congress member, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo (kuahawaii.org), this resolution continues ongoing efforts to unwind the century of decisions that forcibly removed native people from their homeland in the name of environmental protection.As one of the most successful environmental groups in the U.S., the Sierra Club bares responsibility for its own role in this history.  Sierra Club’s founder, John Muir, was at best conflicted in his opinion of Native American communities.  He openly admitted that he did not know any Native Americans well -- despite countless opportunities to connect with them as he travelled through the Pacific Northwest -- and yet still felt empowered to pass judgement on their way of life.  On one page of his journals, he praised tribes indigenous to the Sierra Nevada mountains for their low-impact lifestyle.  And yet on other pages, he described Native Americans as “lazy,” “dirty,” and “deadly,” and admonished them as beggars.  While he expressed sympathy for Native Americans “being robbed of their lands,” he also celebrated the national parks as safe now that the Native Americans that once lived on these lands were “either dead or civilized into a useless innocence.”  The wounds of this history are deep and still raw.  The Sierra Club recognizes its obligation to do what it can to address these historical injustices.  We strive to foster the right atmosphere for reconciliation with indigenous communities and all communities that have suffered injustice in our unbalanced society.  That is one reason why we so strongly supported Resolution 29 at this year’s conservation congress.  That is also why we work hard to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of our work.Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune often highlights that “Sierra Club values are rooted in the principles of fairness, justice, and equality.  To apply those values selectively would be to negate them.  Both nature and people deserve justice and full protection under the law.  We harbor no illusions that we can end all of the injustice in the world, but if we can make a difference by doing our own part and through righteous support, we should.”To this end, the Sierra Club intentionally collaborates with fellow advocates across a broad range of issues towards a more just and equitable future for everyone -- including voting rights, marriage equality, protections for workers, and, yes, native rights. For our part, the Hawaiʻi Chapter is helping to build bridges -- and capacity -- with local advocates for social justice and environmental protection.  We organize activist trainings throughout the year with the goal of bringing allies together in common struggle.  As we continue to build a stronger environmental justice movement we need to acknowledge our organizational shortcomings while embracing the change needed to be effective in our community.  Working in solidarity with others towards a more just society is one of the best ways we can ensure that future society is truly sustainable. For those interested in participating in our activist training program, email us at hawaii.chapter@sierraclub.org.  For those interested in learning more about the Sierra Club’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please take a look at sites.google.com/site/sierraclubdei/ Photo by: Michael Ogasawara