Photo Credits to: Jire Carreon
Tracing the Roots: Examining the Problem and Its Background
→ Who are Indigenous Peoples (IPs)?
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups who are the earliest inhabitants of a region often referred to as their ancestral lands. They have distinct cultural, social, economic, and political systems that are shaped by their historical relationship with the land and natural resources.
Some examples of indigenous peoples from different regions are:
Native Americans: This includes various indigenous groups in North America, such as the Navajo, Cherokee, Apache, Lakota, and many others.
Aboriginal Australians: The Aboriginal peoples are the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, consisting of diverse groups with distinct languages and cultures.
Sami: The Sami people are indigenous to the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. They have a unique language and traditional livelihoods based on reindeer herding, fishing, and hunting.
Aeta: The Aeta people are indigenous groups who primarily inhabit the mountainous regions of Luzon, particularly in Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bataan. They are known for their knowledge of the forest and their skills in hunting and gathering.
There are numerous indigenous peoples around the world, each group has their own distinct identities, languages, and cultural practices. It is important to note that each indigenous group has its specific history, cultural practices, and relationship with the land, and they play a significant role in the cultural diversity and heritage of the world.
Unfortunately, indigenous peoples are displaced in various parts of the world, including both local and international contexts. Some global instances of indigenous displacement are the indigenous peoples in the Brazilian Amazon, such as the Yanomamo and Kayapo, have experienced displacement due to deforestation, land encroachment, illegal mining, and agribusiness activities and the Dakota Access Pipeline project in North Dakota, USA, has led to protests by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other indigenous groups. The pipeline threatened their water sources and sacred lands. An example of local instances of indigenous displacement is the conflict in Mindanao has resulted in the displacement of indigenous communities such as the Lumad. Armed conflicts, land grabbing, and resource extraction projects have forced many Lumad communities to leave their ancestral lands. These examples emphasize the challenges faced by indigenous peoples in protecting their lands, resources, and cultural heritage. It is vital to promote the recognition of their rights, including the right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding decisions that affect their communities.
→ Why are IPs being displaced?
The flourishing of global cities comes at a cost. For the sake of development, the existence of conflicts, and the higher cost of living as cities become globalized are some of the major reasons for the displacement of indigenous people.
According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center or IDMC (2021), displacement can be caused by economic developments, especially when these do not recognize the rights of IPs. The development of urban centers in Israel became the reason why Palestinian Bedouins were displaced from their lands. In some cases, the protection of wildlife becomes the reason why IPs are displaced. While this may be a valid reason, IPs are being displaced without being given proper places to relocate to.
Urban areas are likely to be targets of terrorist attacks (Beall, 2007). Urban terrorism or terrorism in general is also identified by IDMC as one of the reasons some IPs are being displaced. When there is a globalized city in a particular region, the region becomes prone to attacks. This does not only affect the city itself, but the surrounding areas where the IPs may be. To secure themselves, they relocate and leave their places of origin. Sometimes, they are even forced out of their lands.
As cities further globalize, the population continues to increase, and along with it, the demand for resources. As provided in the Malthusian prediction, the continuous growth of the population means that there will be competition for resources. Many IPs are situated in areas with natural resources of interest. To extract these resources, the IPs are displaced or forced out of their lands.
→ What projects or infrastructures are being built on the IPs’ ancestral lands?
According to the data from IDMC, the economic projects or infrastructures being built leading to the displacement of IPs are energy projects, mineral extractions, food for export, and the extraction of oil, water, or other valuable resources. In Peru, the desire of huge companies to extract minerals became the reason for the displacement of IPs.
In some areas, IPs are displaced to build dams. In the Philippines, the construction of the Pantabangan dam in Nueva Ecija displaced the community that used to occupy the area. The proposed Kaliwa dam is another project in the Philippines that will likely displace IPs in Quezon. The Dumagat-Remontados tribe reported that around 200 families will be displaced should the proposed dam push through (Otordoz, 2023). The building of national parks or of wildlife conservation centers also drives IP displacement. In Uganda, the Batwa tribe was displaced because a national park would be constructed on their ancestral land.
The construction of malls, urban areas, resorts, and other recreational facilities are also other developments that displace IPs from their ancestral land. In the name of development, these indigenous families lose their own ancestral lands.
The Problem that Stems: Why IPs Must not be Displaced or Properly Rehoused
The displacement of Indigenous People in the Philippines can be boiled down to two main reasons. First, displacement is due to the harassment of government and foreign investors' forces out of their interest in the raw resources available within those domains. Second, these indigenous groups have been under threat of crossfire between the government forces and the New People's Army (NPA). The traditions of the Indigenous people have roots in Nature, and the preservation of these lands, displacing them in their ancestral domains means losing acres of forests, languages, and practices to government, and business projects. For the side of the IPs, this also means losing potential and accustomed sources of food, environment, and livelihoods.
IPs, outside of land grabbing, also face other obstacles (Harassment, polluted environment, extreme poverty, etc..). On that note, displacement also disadvantages these already marginalized groups even further. At times, the effects of land grabbing incites rebellion adding further bloodshed to the huge pile of bodies that the government has already compiled.
If the displacement of these IPs truly cannot be stopped, then the next best solution has always been proper rehousing with the inclusion of the community's input. Although it is a case-to-case basis on what the proper environment or answer is, achieving such is a viable compromise that would negate the effects of land grabbing (given that the ancestral domains would also be taken care of). However, given that in the Philippines, much of the taken land is subjected to urbanization and foreign projects, acres of forest are lost, and IPs are angered even if they are relocated and compensated.
The Unearthing: What Can We Do to be Advocates for Change?
As students, we cannot really do much about this issue, besides, spreading awareness about the indigenous people and their situation. The government’s role in this issue is by far the most crucial factor that would put into action all these advocacies that the group would be presenting. Progress is welcomed, especially in countries that are struggling in terms of their economic growth, like in the case of the Philippines. But talks of progress most often fail to address the needs and the opinions of the selected minority groups (indigenous people). That being said, advocacies should put more emphasis on the involvement of the indigenous people in the decision-making process of the government when it comes to building infrastructures for the “sake” of the “country’s progress” and its “people”.
→ Make use of the B.R.E.A.F
1. Build public awareness
Help people understand that the IPs are just like any citizen of a country needing assistance and rights to own their land. Help people understand that these IPs need to have the freedom to choose and live their own lives.
2. Recognize their role in conservation (do not speak for indigenous people)
As Biology students, we are exposed to talks about the conservation of the environment, but the IPs are more connected to it because it is their land and, it is important that their inputs are considered. Thus, we should let the voices of the IPs be heard, and let their opinions be taken to heart. And others should not have the right to generalize what they need and decide for themselves what these IPs should be given or not.
3. Encourage the state to fulfill wider rights
Indigenous people are part of the countries/states and are also citizens, thus, they should be given equal rights to education, land security, and freedom to choose to live their lives just like any citizen.
4. Apply the law to ensure land rights are protected
As biology students, we often study the biodiversity of plants and trees. And there is no question that the lands owned by the IPs could be rich with it. Thus, we should take the initiative of applying these laws to heart. This is because the laws that were passed are intended for the protection of the IPs’ land rights. And ensuring that these land rights are protected, we are also protecting biodiversity.
5. Focus on priorities
The government should prioritize the land security of the IPs in order for them to properly live their lives and be able to choose how they want to live as citizens of the country.
→ Engage, support, and raise awareness
1. Engage in ethical tourism and sustainable development initiatives
If visiting places where indigenous communities are found or nearby, we can seek experiences that are initiated and managed by the communities themselves. During our interactions with them, we have to make sure that we are being respectful, culturally sensitive, and ethically responsible. We can also ask them if they have any ongoing sustainable development projects that align with their priorities and aspirations that we can either support or promote.
2. Support indigenous organizations, artisans, and businesses
Find and support organizations that focus on protecting the rights, land, and culture of indigenous people (e.g. TUKLAS Katutubo, Amazon Watch, United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues). These organizations often provide direct assistance to displaced communities, advocate for their rights, and promote sustainable development. We can also show support by purchasing their crafts, products, and services. This helps sustain their cultural traditions and provides economic opportunities that reduce their vulnerability to displacement.
3. Raise awareness by amplifying their voices
We can amplify the voices of indigenous peoples by giving them the platform to share their stories, experiences, and concerns. By listening to them, we educate ourselves about the issues they are facing, including the challenges of displacement. We can raise awareness about their struggles and the need for action through factual and informative social media posts, blogs, or public discussions.
For a summary of this blog post and our advocacy for this week, check out the infographic below:
Bibliography:
Anasarias, E.A., Africa, M.M. & Kok, F. (2013, August). Living in the Shadows. Internal displacement Org. Retrieved from https://www.internal-displacement.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/201308-ap-philippines-living-in-the-shadows-country-en.pdf
Badawi, J. K. (n.d.). The Human Security of Indigenous People in Mindanao: Challenges and Prospects – Ideas for Peace. Ideas for Peace. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.ideasforpeace.org/content/human-security-indigenous-people-in-mindanao-challenges/
Beall, J. (2007). 'Cities, Terrorism and Urban Wars of the 21st Century', Working Paper no. 9, Series 2, Crisis States Research Centre, LSE: London.
Ferrandez, P. & Fung, V. (2021, August). When land, knowledge, and roots are lost: Indigenous peoples and displacement. Internal displacement org. Retrieved from https://www.internal-displacement.org/sites/default/files/publications/documents/P-0073_Indigenouspeoples_BP.pdf
GARCÍA, L. (n.d.). Philippines. IWGIA.https://www.iwgia.org/en/philippines.html
IMDC. (2021, August 6). Briefing paper - when land, knowledge and roots are lost: Indigenous Peoples and displacement - world. ReliefWeb. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/briefing-paper-when-land-knowledge-and-roots-are-lost-indigenous-peoples-and
Lee, A. (n.d.). Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access Pipeline | Teacher Resource. National Museum of the American Indian. https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/plains-treaties/dapl
Otordoz, B. (2023, February 19). Kaliwa Dam to displace 200 families: Quezon IPS. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195568
“Ripped From Their Homes And Ancestral Lands” – Addressing The Plight Of The Philippines’ Largest Ethnic Group. (2013). Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. https://www.internal-displacement.org/expert-opinion/ripped-from-their-homes-and-ancestral-lands-addressing-the-plight-of-the-philippines
United Nations. (2022, August 9). In the Amazon rainforest, an indigenous tribe fights for survival. OHCHR. https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/08/amazon-rainforest-indigenous-tribe-fights-survival
Yong, H. (2016). Nine Ways to Support the Rights of Indigenous People. Support the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/apr/01/nine-ways-to-support-the-rights-of-indigenous-people
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