Holistic risk-based environmental decision making: a Native perspective.

Abstract

Native American Nations have become increasingly concerned about the impacts of toxic substances. Although risk assessment and risk management processes have been used by government agencies to help estimate and manage risks associated with exposure to toxicants, these tools have many inadequacies and as a result have not served Native people well. In addition, resources have not always been adequate to address the concerns of Native Nations, and involvement of Native decision makers on a government-to-government basis in discussions regarding risk has only recently become common. Finally, because the definitions of health used by Native people are strikingly different from that of risk assessors, there is also a need to expand current definitions and incorporate traditional knowledge into decision making. Examples are discussed from the First Environment Restoration Initiative, a project that is working to address toxicant issues facing the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne. This project is developing a community-defined model in which health is protected at the same time that traditional cultural practices, which have long been the key to individual and community health, are maintained and restored.

Re-evaluating Sustainability Assessment: Aligning the vision and the practice

“…Steinemann (2000, p.640) defines a holistic approach as one which facilitates "moving away from analyses of isolated risks and toward a broader understanding". Most of the efforts made towards developing such approaches have come from the application of Health Impact Assessment or Social Impact Assessment, precisely because the reductionist approach requires existing knowledge and understanding amongst affected communities which is often lacking (see, for example, Arquette et al, 2002;Kemm, 2000;Mindell et al, 2001). Both Bell and Morse (2008) and Lawrence (1997) call for a more systems-based approach in order to implement holistic assessment, and this requires a process where communities are systematically involved in defining visions of sustainability and also the means to achieve the vision.…”

Santé territoriale, indicateurs de santé animale et vision holistique

“…Afin d'aborder le dilemme découlant de la contamination de la nourriture traditionnelle, il est nécessaire d'utiliser une approche globale visant les communautés concernées et ancrée dans une meilleure compréhension de leur définition de la santé et de leurs connaissances relativement aux bénéfices et aux risques reliés à l'alimentation traditionnelle (Arquette et al 2002). Le concept de sécurité alimentaire d'une communauté suppose que ses résidents bénéficient d'une alimentation nutritive, personnellement acceptable et sécuritaire via des systèmes alimen taires soutenables (Power 2008).…”

Expanding the mine, killing a lake: A case study of First Nations' environmental values, perceptions of risk and health.

“…Thus, when environmental hazards are distributed to First Nations their health is impacted by physical, social and cultural processes that they may not have the political power to alter. Arquette et al (2002) note that aboriginal environmental values are often left out of risk assessments and that these omissions can have negative implications for the health and well-being of First Nations. For example, these authors contend that exposure to contaminants can impact First Nations when traditional practices are limited by industrial pollution because for aboriginal peoples, the environment is inextricably linked to social, cultural, economic and spiritual aspects of life, and thus, to health outcomes.…”

“…For example, these authors contend that exposure to contaminants can impact First Nations when traditional practices are limited by industrial pollution because for aboriginal peoples, the environment is inextricably linked to social, cultural, economic and spiritual aspects of life, and thus, to health outcomes. Arquette et al (2002) discuss the various ways in which health is defined and problematize the risk assessment process, saying that risk is culturally variable and not possible to define in absolute terms by "experts." They call for risk assessment and management models that acknowledge First Nations' values and practices to be developed and utilized.…”

“…Fear of contaminants also affects the health of First Nations because it causes people to avoid wild game and fish, thus effectively removing a valuable source of nutrition which is often replaced with lower quality foods (Arquette et al 2002). In fact, it has been argued that fear of contaminants that causes a change from traditional to western diet poses the greater health risk (Kuhnlein & Chan, 2000).…”