Document Type
Contribution to Book
Publication Date
3-2021
Publication Title
The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development
First Page
164
Keywords
sustainability, indigenous rights
Last Page
182
Abstract
The chapter argues that in order to contribute to a more comprehensive theoretical understanding of the many nuances of the social dimension of sustainable development, IEL scholars should engage more systematically with emerging national and international research on Indigenous alternative perspectives on environmental governance. The approach highlighted here is distinct from existing discussions related to environmental justice and Indigenous peoples, which highlights the disproportionate environmental impacts Indigenous peoples suffer as a racialized social group, because of their close cultural and existential interaction with the environment. The aim is to move from treating Indigenous peoples as victims of environmental racism, to appreciating their active role in shaping alternative forms of natural resources management and environmental stewardship that better integrate the social dimension of sustainable development.
We recognize that this is just a first exploration of the theme, which deserves more scrutiny and further empirical research. We intend this exploratory work to be an invitation to other environmental law scholars to engage in more systematic conversations with the scholarship on Indigenous Rights and Indigenous legal traditions, when carrying out research on the social dimension of sustainable development, particularly the cutting-edge work Indigenous law scholars in the Americas are undertaking.
DOI
10.1017/9781108555791
Recommended Citation
Galvao-Ferreira, Patricia and Mancilla, Mario. (2021). Indigenous Environmental Rights and Sustainable Development: Lessons from Totonicapán in Guatemala. The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development, 164-182.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/lawpub/139
Comments
This material has been published in The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Justice and Sustainable Development edited by Sumudu A. Atapattu, University of Wisconsin School of Law, Carmen G. Gonzalez, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Sara L. Seck, Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia) Schulich School of Law https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108555791. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution or re-use.