Tag: Peter Walker

Indigenous Perspectives on the Occupation of Malheur: Comparing Contemporary Responses from Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Sources

Presenter(s): Doug Sam − Environmental Studies, Geography

Faculty Mentor(s): Peter Walker

Oral Session 1M

Research Area: Social Science

On 2 January 2016, armed militants led by Ammon Bundy seized the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon and began a month-long occupation of the refuge as part of a revived movement to pressure the federal government into transferring public lands to state and local authorities. Narratives surrounding this event center on the interests of the occupying militants vs. those of the public. This occludes the perspectives of Indigenous Americans, particularly the Northern Paiute of the Burns Paiute Tribe whose ancestors have lived in the area since time immoral. Comparing responses contemporary to the occupation from Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, this study frames the Malheur Occupation outside of the settler-colonial context in which it is couched. Indigenous peoples responded in a distinct, independent manner from either the occupiers or the public at large. This has often been ignored or given reduced importance in the general discourse over public lands in the American West. However, recognition of the Indigenous perspective is imperative to a comprehensive and decolonized understanding of this significant event in Oregon, American West.

Biomagnification and Bioaccumulation of Pollutants and How They Disproportionately Impact the People of “Cancer Alley”

Presenter(s): Abigail Gyetvai—Environmental Studies, Political Science

Faculty Mentor(s): Peter Walker

Session 4: Preserving Mother Earth

This honors thesis examines the environmental, sociopolitical, and socio-economical aspects of Cancer Alley, Louisiana, United States of America . Cancer Alley is a name dubbed to an eighty- five-mile-long corridor in Louisiana that is dotted with petrochemical plants that continuously
poison its residents . The people living in this area are primarily lower-income, people of color who disproportionately face the full force of environmental ills that the petrochemical factories bring . The case of Cancer Alley is layered and delves into not only environmental issues—such as pollution and how various chemicals can move throughout the body, but it also deals with human rights issues and how the disempowered and disenfranchised residents in the area are being exploited due to their powerlessness . Various chemical pollutants have been emitted into the Cancer Alley air, land, and water, contributing to the worsening conditions of the area . The primary findings from this research have been that the more marginalized the group living within Cancer Alley, the more likely they are to be at risk for cancer and various other diseases . This honors thesis concludes with the application of my proposed solutions to alleviating environmental justice legislative issues surrounding Cancer Alley .