Threat to Cultural Conservation and Resolutions - Assignment Example

Introduction Cultural dynamics play vital role in human civilization and its development processes. Anthropologists through the ages have been studying the evolving cultural values that influence the human behavior through the times. The development of civilization and urbanization of land has brought in a plethora of new issues and problems. The rapid advancement of technology has ushered in a massive change in our lifestyle, disturbing ecological balance and leading to major climate change and natural disasters. At the same time, the identity of indigenous people and their community has come across major threats from the development and urbanization processes. The present conflict between Native Americans and urban development department is a prime example of conservation of cultural identity of the indigenous people through preservation of their ‘sacred’ land that holds spiritual importance for them. Brief case history In the 1950s and 60s, one million acre of impoundment was created to build a hydroelectric dam to produce electricity and flood control measures during snow melt from the nearby mountains. For decades, every spring, the water level in the dam is lowered to serve as reservoir for the upstream snow melt which is later released downstream in a controlled manner. The past spring, however, raised huge issue with the Native Americans whose territory borders the impoundment. A burial ground was discovered in the area when the water level was lowered and Native Americans claimed the ground as the burial ground of their ancestors. The indigenous tribes now want the water level to remain at low level so that bones of their ancestors remain intact and sanctity of their cultural dynamics can be maintained. Cultural identity and conflicts The cultural identity is an integral part of human race across the globe. The indigenous people can be broadly defined as ‘aboriginal ethnic societies of the Americas, which constitute a traditional unit of group conscience, identity and culture, with their own spiritual, social, economic, political, legal, self-government and self-determination systems’ (Santoyo, 2006). The genuine concern of the anthropologists for the fast disappearance of some of the indigenous communities due to urbanization and unprecedented advancement of technology is extremely serious issue and needs to be addressed. The decline of indigenous culture can be contributed to the fast deteriorating natural resources and destruction of environment. The conservation of cultural identity of indigenous people is vital to the modern society primarily because they are part of our heritage. The indigenous knowledge is correlated to their cultural identity and has greatly facilitated modern research at various areas of human interest. But their unique cultural identity is closely linked to the nature and unlike modern societal values nature is a means of survival for them and not a resource to be exploited for economic gain. In the present case, the anthropologists have confirmed the existence of an ancestral burial ground of indigenous people but have asserted that it might be from a much older group than of the presently claiming group. The major problems of case can be enumerated as below: 1. The Native culture does not allow the shifting of bones of the ancestors to a new burial ground. 2. Maintaining a low water level would mean that dam cannot be used as reservoir which could result in flood situation for local population. 3. The low level would also result in huge economic loss to local people who had set up recreational activities around the impoundment. Government’s agreement for conservation and preservation of cultural heritage The social scientists and governments across the world have recognized the need for conservation and preservation of indigenous people. The world bodies like UNESCO, WWF etc. have issued guidelines and recommendations for the same. The various nations have also made legal provisions for safeguarding the cultural heritage and territorial rights of indigenous people. The government of America has not only promulgated laws but drawn agreements with the Native Americans for protecting their indigenous culture, that includes protecting their holy places and recognizing their right to have their own socio-political and judicial system but working within the broader framework of democratic setup of American constitution. World Conservation Congress has recognized that indigenous people need support and has called upon its members to ‘fully acknowledge the conservation significance of Indigenous Conservation Territories and other Indigenous Peoples and Community Conserved Areas - comprising conserved sites, territories, landscapes/seascapes and sacred places - governed and managed by indigenous peoples and local communities, including mobile peoples’ (WCC, 2008). Major economic and political ramifications The current conflict has huge political and economic ramifications. With the confirmation of the facts by the anthropologists, the conflict has become a serious bureaucratic faux pas with wide ranging economic and political repercussions, including violation of human rights and breach of agreement and good faith of the Native Americans. The decision on the issue would have significant impact on the economic activities that had been going on for decades on the impoundment. As a result, the local economy, including that of the indigenous people would have serious consequences, endangering the livelihood of great many people. Charles Hale is of the opinion that indigenous people are increasing internationalizing their cultural identity to gain ‘distinct territorial, political, and economic goals’ (Hale, 1997). Hence, it is imperative that they are made aware of the wider implications of their actions and look at alternate solutions for their problems. At the same time, it is also important to acknowledge that it is only human to err and the blunder was not discovered till recently. Hence, amicable resolution is the only solution to the conflict and efforts must be made to resolve the conflict in a manner that would promote the interests of all the people involved. Tentative plan for conflict resolution The most important aspect of the conflict is acknowledging and keeping the sanctity of holy places and territorial land of the indigenous people. Since the ancestral burial ground was not discovered till recently, it is important that the Native Americans are made to understand the serious repercussion of maintaining low water level at the dam. In the contemporary times, education and awareness of modern amenities have increasingly become strong facilitating agencies for the Native Americans in integrating with the mainstream population. Social scientists have asserted that ‘conflicts weaken government’ especially when they ‘curtail fundamental democratic rights such as that of participation’ (Bobbio, 1997). Hence, it would be most appropriate if the indigenous people become proactive participant in the resolution of the conflict. The collective decision would promote amicable resolution of the conflict. The following steps, constituting tentative plan is envisaged to open alternatives for conflict resolution: A committee of the local leaders, community groups, Native American leaders, experts and scientist must be formed The experts and scientists can prepare alternate plans of flood control and device innovative means to continue the recreation activities around the impoundment within the specified time limit and seek approval from the local people and indigenous people. The local leaders, government agencies and social workers along with Native American leadership must look at the various alternatives and timeframe for implementation of the same. Using focus groups and mediators, the pros and cons of the situation would be analyzed and differences thrashed out on a wider platform of mutual interest and long term protection plans for the cultural heritage of the indigenous people. The shared learning and participation in the decision making greatly facilitates mutual trust and confidence building, paving way to amicable resolution of conflicts. The collective decision, thus reached would entail improved understanding of the wider ranging implications of the conflict and result in mutually satisfying solution of the conflict whereby status quo would continue for limited time period during which alternate flood control measures would be implemented alternate arrangements or improvisations would be made for people so that their livelihood is not threatened, compromised or finished due to new development vis-à-vis cultural conflict (1314) Reference Bobbio, Norberto. (1997). El futuro de la democracia, México. D. F., Fondo de Cultura Económica. Hale, Charles R. (1997). Cultural Politics of Identity in Latin America. Annual Review of Anthropology 26(1997): 567-590. Santoyo, Gladys Jimeno. (2006). Indigenous Governance and Territory. Available from: [Accessed 25 September, 2009]. World Conservation Congress. (October, 2008). Supporting Indigenous Conservation Territories and other Indigenous Peoples and Community Conserved Areas. Available from: [Accessed 25 September, 2009]. Read More