PhD Qualifying Examination: Graeme Reed

Graeme Reed, a PhD student in Rural Studies in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, will be presenting his Qualifying Exam on 

"Exploring the intersection:  Decolonizing environmental governance for a rapidly changing climate."

 Abstract:  Within the context of increasing human-induced environmental change, I introduce a heuristic conceptual framework to describe the role of Indigenous governance in a rapidly changing climate. Facing unique climate risks, Indigenous Peoples’ realities, governance, and knowledge are often overlooked in the development of climate solutions. In order to address this oversight, we must return to the source of problem: the land. To do this, I explore the intersection of environmental governance and Indigenous governance to explore how ontological differences are perceived and acted-on. Using an innovative analytical framework, I find that the majority of current literature on environmental governance does not: consider the history and contemporary legacy of settler colonialism; question the legitimacy for Canada’s claim to sovereignty; respect Indigenous rights; and involve Indigenous Peoples’ meaningfully in the implementation of environmental governance. Without addressing these foundational gaps, it is doubtful that environmental governance frameworks, including those collaborative environmental governance arrangements, can contribute to sustainable self-determination of Indigenous Peoples. Drawing on the insights from the literature, and the proposed conceptual framework for Indigenous environmental governance, future research should explore what amendments to existing environmental policy are needed to advance Indigenous governance, and their sustainable self-determination, at the local, subnational, national, and international level.   

Examination Committee:
Nic Brunet, Advisor, SEDRD
Sheri Longboat, Graduate Faculty, SEDRD
Silvia Sarapura, Graduate Faculty, SEDRD
Robin Roth, Geography, CSAHS Graduate Faculty