Ecocolonialism and Indigenous-Controlled Rainforest Preserves in Samoa

Cox, Paul; Elmqvist, Thomas

Several village-based preserves have been established in Western Samoa that are owned, controlled and managed by the villagers. Although these preserves appear to be a robust approach to rainforest conservation, their establishment resulted in significant conflicts between the villagers and the Western Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) that assisted in raising funds for the preserves. The principles of indigenous control were unexpectedly difficult to accept by western conservation organizations who, ultimately, were unwilling to cede decision-marking authority to indigenous peoples. Conversely, ecocolonialism, the imposition of western conservation paradigms and power structures on indigenous peoples, proved to be incompatible with indigenous concepts of conservation and human dignity. Even well-intentioned conservation efforts by NGOs may fail if there is an unwitting disparagement of the traditional knowledge, culture, political systems, and integrity of indigenous peoples. Similar conflicts may occur in other areas with traditional land-tenure systems and strategies are needed to avoid such problems in the future.

Ecocolonialism and Indigenous-Controlled Rainforest Preserves in Samoa

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