Date of Graduation

5-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

International and Global Studies

Advisor/Mentor

Phillips, Jared

Committee Member

Zeng, Ka

Second Committee Member

Austin, Shawn

Third Committee Member

Marren, Susan

Abstract

Guyana’s Indigenous population, known as Amerindians, suffer greatly due to their lack of land rights and mining that infiltrates their remote territory in the country’s interior. Gold is the most lucrative export for Guyana, accounting for 10% of its GDP. However, the economic benefits and environmental and social costs associated with the industry have not been distributed evenly. Substantial environmental and social harms due to mining plague Amerindian communities. Mining activity fells vast stretches of forest, disrupts water channels and drives erosion through dredging. Mercury, used for gold amalgamation, seeps into river channels, poisoning fish and those who rely on them as a food source. Further complicating the issue, mining towns become hubs of trafficking, prostitution, STD proliferation, and violence. These environmental and social disruptions deprive local Indigenous populations of the vital connection to land, livelihood, and traditional knowledge. A similar phenomenon occurs to Indigenous populations around the world. Centering Indigenous people as leaders in management of their lands improves social and environmental outcomes. In order to achieve justice for Indigenous communities and steward a healthy environment, the global community must prioritize Indigenous sovereignty and adopt a manner of valuing the environment informed by Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.

Keywords

Guyana; Amerindians; Gold Mining; Indigenous People; Traditional Ecological Knowledge; Sustainability

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