Indigenous communities and the mental health impacts of land dispossession related to industrial resource development: a systematic review

The Lancet Planetary Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(6), P. e501 - e517

Published: June 1, 2023

Globally, many resource extraction projects such as mines and hydroelectric dams are developed on the territories of Indigenous Peoples. Recognising land a determinant Peoples' health, our objective is to synthesise evidence about mental health impacts communities who experience dispossession due industrial development (mining, hydroelectric, petroleum, agricultural). We systematically reviewed studies that focused in Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), North South America, Circumpolar North. searched Scopus, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Global Health OVID for peer-reviewed articles published English from database inception Dec 31, 2020. also books, research reports, scholarly journals specialising or research. included documents reported primary research, Peoples settler colonial states, development. Of 29 studies, 13 were related dams, 11 petroleum developments, nine mining, two agriculture. Land had predominantly negative communities. The consequences relations threatened identities, resources, languages, traditions, spirituality, ways life. impact assessment processes must expressly consider risks potential respect rights by making knowledge central component decisions free, prior, informed consent.

Language: Английский

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Oil pipelines and food sovereignty: threat to health equity for Indigenous communities

Journal of Public Health Policy, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 40(4), P. 504 - 517

Published: Sept. 23, 2019

Abstract Energy projects may profoundly impact Indigenous peoples. We consider effects of Canada’s proposed Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion on the health and food sovereignty Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) through contamination impeded access to uncontaminated traditional foods. Federal monitoring TWN documentation show elevated shellfish biotoxin levels in TWN’s territory near terminus where crude is piped. Although restoration work has re-opened some shellfish-harvesting sites, stands increase risk directly rising bioaccumulating chemical toxins as well increased hazardous biotoxins. Climate change from fossil fuel use, expected via expansion, also threatens algae blooms higher temperature nutrient loading. As environmental assessment process failed effectively these local concerns addition larger impacts climate change, new needed attending linked issues equity, sustainability sovereignty.

Language: Английский

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Weaving Indigenous and Western ways of knowing in ecotoxicology and wildlife health: a review of Canadian studies

Environmental Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 31(3), P. 452 - 470

Published: April 5, 2023

Western-trained, non-Indigenous researchers in Canada have an ethical responsibility to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and re-envision the scientific research process through lens of reconciliation. The health natural environment has long been a concern both Peoples, weaving different ways knowing could provide path forward address critical wildlife concerns. Here, we conducted review peer-reviewed grey literature that claims weave Western ecotoxicology Canada, coding for background information, stressors, methods, participation, outcomes. Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria, majority which were published since 2015 took place Canada’s North. Research collaborations often between First Nations or Inuit knowledge holders (most frequently, active harvesters Elders) academics. Most initiated by mutual agreement community partners researchers, but no study was “Indigenous-led” at any stage research. Studies investigated environmental contaminants health-related topics range wildlife, usually traditional subsistence species. most commonly studied disease avian cholera, class toxicants metals trace elements. primarily collected via interviews. used multiple methodologies braid knowledge, frequently methodology community-based participatory To more holistic understanding in-depth examination, applying decolonizing lens, two exemplar cases collaborative communities. This exploration led conclusion weaves must not be approached “one-size-fits-all” mindset, instead should emphasize relationship building, continuous engagement, practices. By adopting such practices, academics can better concerns while contributing meaningfully advancing healing reconciliation Peoples.

Language: Английский

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The Extent of Anthropogenic Disturbance on Wetland Area in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada Between 2000 and 2018

Land, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(2), P. 336 - 336

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Wetlands globally have and continue to undergo modification from anthropogenic natural environmental factors. To bridge this gap, study utilised a GIS-based approach quantify the areal extent of human footprint disturbances wetlands over time. This attributed wetland disturbance by class, type sector during two notable transitions, 2000 2010 2018, in oil sands region (OSR) northern Alberta, Canada. The area was calculated using physical dataset intersected with Alberta Merged Wetland Inventory. Results indicate that 3284 km2 (2616 between 2010, 668 2018) undergone OSR. Examination industrial 2018 indicates gas forestry sectors are greatest sources (402 179 km2, respectively). Monetary assessment ecosystem services per year results minimum yearly loss USD 30.05 million for peatlands 197.86 marshes swamps (2007). analysis is valuable quantifying impact on wetlands, which critical ensuring sustainable development wetland-rich areas.

Language: Английский

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Indigenous‐Led Analysis of Important Subsistence Species Response to Resource Extraction

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: March 28, 2025

ABSTRACT Subsistence hunting, or “country food,” on traditional territories is essential for numerous Indigenous Peoples who face food insecurity. For many First Nations of Canada, subsistence hunting also inextricably linked to conservation practices, as an important way engaging with nature. In Canada's boreal forest, large game such moose ( Alces alces ) a primary source protein. However, resource extraction—including forestry and oil gas—has shifted distributions affected the availability abundance resources. Here, authors designed study processed remote camera trap data, then sought out Western scientists generate generalized linear models evaluate habitat use spatial‐numerical responses possible stressors in north‐central Alberta, including fire, harvest, gas extraction, other disturbances. Together, through coproduction knowledge, we examined effects human‐caused by sex age class. The proportion various land cover types human extraction was use. Notably, male, female, young all used differently at different spatial scales. (with their mothers) strongly selected natural forest disturbances burned areas but avoided human‐created petroleum exploration “seismic” lines. Female attempts maximize forage opportunities do not human‐disturbed forests same ways they naturally disturbed areas. Our findings, context interpretation from cameras community insights, have disturbance declines densities displacement grounds. Evaluating predicting shifts critical supporting security sovereignty identifying where industries operating lands can better engage responsibly Nations.

Language: Английский

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Oxidative potential of ambient particulate matter from community sites in Alberta's oil sands region

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 378, P. 144374 - 144374

Published: April 14, 2025

Language: Английский

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Naphthenic Acid Fraction Components-Induced Metabolic and Mitochondrial Alterations in Rat Hepatoma Cells: Monitoring Metabolic Reprogramming with Tryptophan–Kynurenine Ratio

Journal of Xenobiotics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(3), P. 61 - 61

Published: April 24, 2025

Altered body condition and diminished growth in wildlife the Alberta Oil Sands Region (AOSR) are prompting investigations into impact of oil sands industrial activity on region. Chemical constituents from bitumen-influenced waters, including process-affected water (OSPW), can disrupt endocrine signaling, leading to aberrant lipid accumulation altered glycemic control mammals. This study aimed investigate effects naphthenic acid fraction components (NAFCs), derived OSPW, energy homeostasis using McA-RH7777 rat hepatocyte model. Cells were exposed NAFCs at nominal concentrations 0, 0.73, 14.7, 73.4 mg/L for 24 48 h. We assessed gene expression related glucose metabolism measured triglyceride accumulation, glucose, fatty uptake. NAFC exposure (14.7 mg/L) reduced levels uptake increased beta-oxidation genes, suggesting a metabolic switch oxidation. substrate availability signifies shift cellular dynamics, potentially linked mitochondrial function. To this, we conducted adenosine triphosphate (ATP), membrane potential, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assays measure ATP levels, apoptosis, respectively. At both time points, resulted induced hyperpolarization, apoptosis. These results suggest that efficiency is compromised, necessitating adaptations maintain homeostasis. Given cells exhibit flexibility allows them dynamically respond changes availability, further demonstrated kynurenine–tryptophan ratio (KTR) serves as marker under these stress conditions. work provides mechanistic framework understanding how bitumen-derived organic contaminants may function living AOSR. findings support use molecular markers like KTR evaluate sub-lethal environmental health monitoring.

Language: Английский

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Can indigenous community-based monitoring act as a tool for sustainable self-determination?

The Extractive Industries and Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 1283 - 1291

Published: June 2, 2020

This study seeks to gain a better understanding of the implications Indigenous community-based monitoring (ICBM) for governance in resource extractive regions. Using comprehensive review literature and author team's personal involvement, we an ICBM program oil sands region Alberta, Canada. We use sustainable self-determination, as sub-set governance, critical theoretical lens assess outcomes this its role broader environmental region. To conclude, propose some recommendations advance self-determination ICBM. As these programs continue proliferate across country, now is time incorporate such order simultaneously support meaningful environmental, economic, social change, while also advancing resurgence Nations.

Language: Английский

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When a pipe breaks: Monitoring an emergency spill in the oil sands and documenting its erasure of indigenous interests in land

The Extractive Industries and Society, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 7(4), P. 1301 - 1308

Published: July 16, 2020

This article is based on ethnographic fieldwork with Woodland Cree First Nation (WCFN), an Indigenous community in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. We examine a 2013 contaminated water spill within Nation's territory. use field notes, interviews, and summaries written on-site to describe differences between corporate media portrayals cleanup efforts. explore themes concerns emergent conversations interviews WCFN members, document negative aspects regional racial gender relations: micro-aggressions seen experienced by female environmental monitors. note difficulties created overlapping claims land or jurisdiction. argue that existing monitoring, reporting, consultation mechanisms are revealed as wanting this emergency, laid bare long-simmering tensions resentments. At times, these threatened efface WCFN's status interests site adjoining lands. Such erasure land, brought fore its aftermath, highlights psychological distress people feel due changes their landscape sometimes fraught historical relationships neighboring communities.

Language: Английский

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Tools for Indigenous-led impact assessment: insights from five case studies

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 42(1), P. 70 - 87

Published: Jan. 2, 2024

Indigenous-led impact assessment (ILIA) is a project review process designed and conducted with meaningful input an adequate degree of control by Indigenous peoples. Using case-based approach, this paper examines ILIAs in Canada. The research – tools for ILIA provides examples options the design implementation processes which have been utilized Nations while making their own determinations regarding if how development should occur according to unique locations, histories, natural resource issues, governance. We identified five tools: framework agreements; customized panels; land use consultation policy; benefit planning. Each tool described along case study example was applied within ILIA. Although our work focuses on Canada, can be valuable peoples EIA practitioners jurisdictions elsewhere who are looking understand might operationalized reflect settings, values, priorities. results helpful governments groups develop approaches assessment, understanding relative strengths experiences they may consider or adapt needs.

Language: Английский

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