By Duke Oliver
Environmental Justice in the United States has many stake holders; none have been more involved than Native Americans. They and they alone have been here since the first Europeans set foot on this continent. Then and now theirs is a struggle which encompasses most, if not all issues dealing with both Environmental Justice, and Environmental health. They have done this through observation of their world, and by treating all parts of the equation with respect. Theirs is an understanding that they are no more or no less important than any other portion of the world. If we are to come to a place and time where a balance between the Natural world and the human world can become a reality then the value of respect must come first from mankind.
This will require a dramatic change in Western thinking. Though simple, there are three simple basic values must be set in motion in order for this to begin.
Humility; from the word Humus, (Meaning of the earth) making this the first priority, where everything that we consider is in line with what is best for all instead of what is best for our pocket.
Respect; everything whether it be air, water, land, man or animal, all must have the right to exist in a healthy environment
Release of EGO; this above all must be realized. Being right is a dead end street, when we are right we cease to listen, cease to have empathy, cease to learn, and most of we cease to be open to change
Link to tribal challenges
This class has been an exercise in human experience of communication. It tests each individual’s willingness to listen with empathy ear, and sympathetic heart to all side of an equation. The ability of each participant’s to set aside their opinions and beliefs for what is in the best interest of the many, rather than the few is the key for success. The challenges that environmental justice creates is clearly seen in the diverse stakeholders that were brought before us, their own diversity and cultural challenges clearly represent a micro cosmism of society as a whole. Each part of a community is an equal and important contributor to all decisions. This has not been the direction that man-kind has taken since before the discovery of the American Continent. Clearly there are living examples of how this process can work. Native culture has understood this from the beginning. Their philosophy and life style along with a respectful path working with all parts environment and is a clear indication of how successful we can be.