Indigenous Peoples, the Environment and Law - Lawrence Watters

Indigenous Peoples, the Environment and Law Lawrence Watters ISBN 9780890891476

This book offers a nuanced and in-depth exploration of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the law, with particular emphasis on environmental law and international environmental law—areas of growing importance on the global agenda. The anthology brings together twenty-three interdisciplinary articles that examine critical conflicts at the intersection of Indigenous rights and environmental governance. Key issues explored include biodiversity protection, traditional knowledge, corporate responsibility of multinational enterprises, and restitution.

Sixteen of the selections adopt a comparative approach, examining conflicts involving Indigenous peoples within specific national and regional contexts. The book spans diverse settings, from the fragile ecosystems of the Arctic to sacred lands and water rights in the United States, highlighting how Indigenous communities engage with governance, natural resources, and conflict resolution. Case studies range from Native Hawaiians and the Sami of Scandinavia to Indigenous peoples in Bolivia, Guatemala, the Philippines, and Russia. While these contexts differ widely, common threads—such as the deep relationship between Indigenous peoples and nature and the ongoing struggle for cultural identity—run throughout the volume.

Drawing on law, anthropology, and history, the collection combines detailed case studies with more theoretical analyses to present a comprehensive international and comparative framework. The anthology also includes several contributions that address broader trends of convergence and globalization, underscoring their profound and often challenging implications for Indigenous peoples worldwide.

Indigenous Peoples, the Environment and Law Lawrence Watters ISBN 9780890891476, 978-0890891476 & 978-08908-91476

Author
Lawrence Watters