Indigenous Peoples of North America: Environmental Exposures and Reproductive Justice

Abstract

Background: Indigenous American communities face disproportionate health burdens and environmental health risks compared with the average North American population. These health impacts are issues of both environmental and reproductive justice.Objectives: In this commentary, we review five indigenous communities in various stages of environmental health research and discuss the intersection of environmental health and reproductive justice issues in these communities as well as the limitations of legal recourse.Discussion: The health disparities impacting life expectancy and reproductive capabilities in indigenous communities are due to a combination of social, economic, and environmental factors. The system of federal environmental and Indian law is insufficient to protect indigenous communities from environmental contamination. Many communities are interested in developing appropriate research partnerships in order to discern the full impact of environmental contamination and prevent further damage.Conclusions: Continued research involving collaborative partnerships among scientific researchers, community members, and health care providers is needed to determine the impacts of this contamination and to develop approaches for remediation and policy interventions.

The Legacy of Uranium Development on or Near Indian Reservations and Health Implications Rekindling Public Awareness

“…The Economic Research Service reports that Native American communities have fewer full-time employed individuals than any other high-poverty community. Mortality rates in AN populations are 60% higher than those of the U.S. white population [41,42], and mortality in AI populations are about twice that of the general U.S. population [43]. In addition, AI/AN have the lowest cancer survival rates among any racial group in the United States [44].…”

A Bridge to Challenging Environmental Inequality: Intersectionality, Environmental Justice, and Disaster Vulnerability

“…These historical arrangements and experiences of environmental injustices for Native communities continue to be woven into contemporary society. Yet it is only across the last two decades that we have seen them explored in a historical and contemporary context as accounts of environmental injustices (Hooks and Smith 2004;Hoover et al 2012;Leonard III 1997;Lynch and Stretesky 2011;Vickery and Hunter 2016), particularly as it relates to uranium milling and mining (Brugge and Goble 2002;Charley et al 2004;Dawson, Madsen, and Spykerman 1997;Johnston, Dawson, and Madsen 2010;Kuletz 1998;Pasternak 2011).…”

Decolonizing Engagement? Creating a Sense of Community through Collaborative Filmmaking

“…This situation affects the local atmosphere, water, and soil, as well as residents' health and wellness. It compromises both their physical and cultural survival, thus connecting issues of environmental and reproductive justice (Ecojustice, 2007;Hoover et al, 2012;Wiebe & Konsmo, 2014;Wiebe, forthcoming). The film follows the narratives of three Indigenous youth as they fight for physical and cultural survival, and confront mainstream Canadian society while living in an environmentally stressed setting.…”