Scholarlink

In colonized North America, the destruction of swamps from the 1600s to the 1900s was labeled as “civilizing” the ecosystem, with wetlands seen as unproductive and disease-ridden. This mindset contributed to the displacement of Indigenous peoples and ecosystem degradation for profit. Today, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, primarily due to changes in agricultural land use. The Ramsar Convention of 1971 has seen over half of the Wetlands of International Importance damaged, and a 2009–2019 US report noted a 50% increase in wetland loss. To address this, it’s crucial to acknowledge the historical ecocide and genocide in the name of progress. Urban planners can aid in preservation by adopting decolonized approaches and incorporating Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Systems. This chapter seeks to educate planning students and the community about past decisions and the ongoing loss of wetlands due to neglect of Indigenous practices.

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Decolonizing the Research Narrative: From “Drain the Swamps” to “Water Back” Movement

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

查看全文
  • Sheila Mitra-Sarkar,
  • Robert Wallace

摘要

In colonized North America, the destruction of swamps from the 1600s to the 1900s was labeled as “civilizing” the ecosystem, with wetlands seen as unproductive and disease-ridden. This mindset contributed to the displacement of Indigenous peoples and ecosystem degradation for profit. Today, wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, primarily due to changes in agricultural land use. The Ramsar Convention of 1971 has seen over half of the Wetlands of International Importance damaged, and a 2009–2019 US report noted a 50% increase in wetland loss. To address this, it’s crucial to acknowledge the historical ecocide and genocide in the name of progress. Urban planners can aid in preservation by adopting decolonized approaches and incorporating Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Systems. This chapter seeks to educate planning students and the community about past decisions and the ongoing loss of wetlands due to neglect of Indigenous practices.