Trapped in the net of circumstances. Nature use practices of the Sami people of Lovozero in the changing socio-economic, administrative and environmental settings

Thesis by: Shavrina, Olga

Abstract:

This thesis is a local community study, which examines the issues of nature use by the Sami people in the settlement of Lovozero – a community situated in circumpolar Russia, where nature use is mainly presented by reindeer herding, fishing, hunting, and gathering. Leaning on the extensive list of references and combining information from various information sources, this interdisciplinary research pursues descriptive and exploratory purpose. The research is based on fieldwork carried out in Lovozero in May 2013. Through the qualitative research methods, namely ten semi-structured interviews and short-term participant observation, the study explores local people’s experiences of the circumstances that impact nature use in Lovozero, and point out their responses to the challenges in this regard. In addition, this thesis attempts to identify the categories of meaning of nature use practices for the Sami residents of Lovozero. The findings of the study reflect that though nature use has a significant importance for the Sami residents of Lovozero as both material and cultural elements, nature use by the Sami in the Murmansk Region is associated with a number of problems related to the socio-economic, administrative and environmental circumstances. The present-day responses to the challenges in this regard are represented by short-term coping strategies, which do not prove to be efficient in the current situation of persistent stress. The thesis argues that developing resilience in Lovozero would require building long-term adaptive strategies, based on cooperation between the local Sami institutes and the regional authorities, and assuming involvement of the local people into the decision-making process. The study additionally highlights the presence of local Sami officials in the picture and gives voices to their suggestions of possible solutions to the existing challenges in regard to nature use. The thesis, thus, might have some relevance in the framework of the Sami political movement.

 

Thesis available

The silence in Sápmi – and the queer Sami breaking it

Thesis by: Løvold, Ane Hedvig Heidrundsdotter

Abstract:

This thesis is an investigation of the silence of queerness in Sápmi, and is empirically based on three fieldworks and eight interviews. The thesis will question the silence within a historical perspective, and explore different aspects of the silence in Sápmi today. The main focus will be on queer Sami in Norway, but will also voice queer Sami from Sweden and Finland. I will therefore include a discussion on the silence in the queer community in Norway, but the main focus will be on the silence in Sápmi. My research will also look into what was revealed when the queer Sami in this thesis break the silence. A central finding in my research is the impact of heteronormativity’s position in Sápmi, and I will discuss two of the ideals that this system of norms seems to uphold, the masculine ideal for Sami men and the Christian/læstadian ideal. The thesis will also look into the different strategies that queer Sami use in order to break the silence and gain more visibility and acceptance in Sápmi. One of the strategies is to mirror in, and identify with other indigenous people who don’t confirm the heteronormative Western gender binary, like the two- spirit movement in the US and Canada. I will also look into Stefan Mikaelssons’, the queer major of the Sami Parliament in Sweden, personal strategy to decolonize from the masculine ideal, and the coining of the term “bonju” in the north Sami language. Key Words: Queer Sami, Silence, Sápmi, Queer Theory, Heteronormativity, Intersectionality, Two-Spirit, Decolonization, Visibility, Strategies, Bonju.

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Education for Reconciliaction. A study of the draft curriculum for mainstream social studies in Alberta, Canada

Thesis by: Elizabeth Jean Solverson

Abstract:
In 2016, the Government of Alberta (Canada) commenced a curriculum development project with an explicit aim of facilitating reconciliation. The premise of this thesis is that reconciliation is the responsibility of all Canadians, and that this reconciliation needs to be action oriented. Through the method of content analysis, this study considers the proposed draft curriculum for mainstream kindergarten to grade 12 social studies in Alberta in terms of its capacity to stimulate commitment to reconciliaction among settler Canadians. Social studies curricula of the past have damaged the relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples in Canada by perpetuating dominant narratives that exclude, Other, and marginalize Indigenous peoples’ perspectives and experiences. As such, this study considers the ways the draft curriculum challenges dominant narrative versions of history through the inclusion of alternative narratives from Indigenous perspectives. The study considers reflective discomfort as a key process for settler engagement in reconciliaction, and therefore considers the extent to which the draft curriculum provides space for discomfort. The findings of this study reveal that through the widespread inclusion of content relating to Indigenous peoples, the proposed curriculum stands to facilitate reconciliaction in many ways. The study considers the promotion of an understanding of reconciliation as establishing and maintaining relationships based on the Treaty Handshake vision as a major strength of the curriculum. However, though articulated in the content, this reimagined relationship is not fully embodied within the structure of the curriculum.

Thesis available

 

The Journey of Nepal Bhasa. From Decline to Revitalization

Thesis by: Maharjan, Resha

Abstract:
Nepal Bhasa is a rich and highly developed language with a vast literature in both ancient and modern times. It is the language of Newar, mostly local inhabitant of Kathmandu. The once administrative language has been replaced by Nepali (Khas) language and has a limited area where it can be used. The language has faced almost 100 years of suppression and now is listed in the definitely endangered language list of UNESCO. Various revitalization programs have been brought up, but with limited success. This main goal of this thesis on Nepal Bhasa is to find the actual reason behind the fall of this language and hesitation of the people who know Nepal Bhasa to use it. Simultaneously, it tries to find the ways to revitalize the language. To find the main reason for the weakening of this language, I conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews to elicit the view of Newar people on this topic. A survey was conducted with the same purpose. With the help of my primary and secondary data I prove that due to the Linguistic hegemony of Nepali language, supported by Nepal’s government, the area of Nepal Bhasa is curtailed hence leading it to the verge of extinction. The study also reveals how the government maintains the hegemony of Nepali language through its biased policy. At the end I present ways to revitalization as per the view of informants.

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Gendered impacts of landlessness on indigenous peoples in Uganda: A case of Batwa from Southwestern Uganda

Thesis by Nsibambi, Michael

Abstract:
This thesis analyzes gendered impacts of landlessness on indigenous peoples in Uganda with a case study of Batwa in Southwestern Uganda. I further highlighted the causes of landlessness and challenges it creates for indigenous peoples in Uganda, and highlighted the gaps between the protection and the implementation of land rights of indigenous peoples. It gives a general overview of Land Rights in Uganda, historical Land Rights in Uganda (Pre- colonial period before 1894), Colonial Era (1894-1962) and the status of the Land Tenure System in Uganda. This chapter also consists of the theoretical framework upon which the study was built with a description of the theories of Intersectionality and Indigenous Feminism laying a background of the analysis of this study. Furthermore, indigenous Batwa women were placed at the center of the study because they have cultural gender challenges as women, and at the same time, as indigenous people. The challenges of landlessness are discussed in relation to indigenous theories used. Different research tools and indigenous research methodologies were employed to come up with the data which was analyzed in relation to the theories and the suggested recommendations are highlighted. Keywords: Landlessness, Indigenous peoples and Gender.

Thesis available

Visual Representation of Mithila Culture Through Mithila folk arts: A study based on the search for cultural significance

Thesis by: Mandal, Prameswar

Abstract:
Mithila paintings are at the center to signify the cultural importance not only in Nepal and India, but also in other countries. The artists of Mithila devote their much time to portray different cultural aspects and their importance, however, the artists have not got much recognition from the Nepal government. Yet, they keep on painting to promote Mithila culture globally. In this context, the present study seeks to explore the visual representation of Mithila culture through Mithila artifacts.
The current study is the result of the field visit conducted in Janakpur and its neighboring villages in Nepal in June 2016. This study includes the voices of the artists, amateur artists of villages, scholars, teachers, social activists, and together with the researcher’s observation notes. Based on the theories of representation, the study aims at finding out how different cultural practices of Mithila are understood through the folk arts and cultural representation is needed to spread the message around the world. This thesis can be used to develop the tradition of Mithila paintings and to preserve the indigenous culture. The findings show how cultural representation and its signifying practices are portrayed through Mithila artifacts.

Thesis available

Common Ground: Representation and Language of Place in Indigenous Literature. Sámi and Māori Articulations from a Comparative and Trans-Indigenous Perspective, in Trekways of the Wind by Nils-Aslak Valkeapää, and Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti

Thesis by: Jean Kavanagh

Abstract:
The topic of this thesis is the representation and articulation of the concept of place within Indigenous literature. A comparative analysis, exploring different Indigenous worldviews, can lend an insight into the relationship of Indigenous peoples to their land, while retaining specific and distinct aspects of the localized experience. The very definition of Indigenous peoples is tied to an association with place; this connection not merely a physical occupation of a territory, but an ongoing conversation that includes relationship to ancestors, flora, fauna, topographical features, and cosmology. Literature allows the expression of the intangible, through the medium of language, which can articulate a sense of place. This concept is examined through the novel approach of comparing two Indigenous literary works from different parts of the world: Where the Rēkohu Bone Sings, a novel by Māori author Tina Makereti; and Nils-Aslak Valkeapää’s book of Sámi poetry, Trekways of the Wind. The analysis examines how Indigenous concepts of place are represented within these works, with language as a platform to articulate place through naming, translation and story. Finally, the juxtaposition of selected passages from the chosen literature, through Chadwick Allen’s trans-Indigenous methodology, gives a deeper insight into how literature can create a sense of place, from an Indigenous-to-Indigenous perspective.

Thesis available

Impacts of Urbanization and Development Activities on Sustainable Development and Resource Management of the Majhi People of Nepal

Thesis by: Acharya, Jagadish

Abstract:
This study deals with how the Majhi people who are dependent on rivers for livelihood are affected by the rapid growth of urbanization and development activities. Due to the urbanization and development activities, they not only lost their traditional occupations like boating and fishing in the rivers but also are forced to displace from the native territory. Overall, it talks about their traditional occupation like boating and fishing, their way of resource management. Moreover, it presents the ecological, social and cultural impacts on Majhi community, their present livelihood strategies, the attitude of young generation towards traditional occupation and finally about the expectation and aspiration of Majhi people. The findings show that instead of being benefited by the so-called indicators of prosperity; urbanization and development activities, the Majhi peoples’ life is becoming economically harder day by day. Before the urbanization and development took place in their native area, they had subsistence livelihood strategies. They could easily survive utilizing the local natural resources. The Majhi people are still in the transitional stage of adopting new strategies for livelihood. They neither have a good education and economic background nor have some new skills. Keywords: Majhi people, traditional occupation, urbanization, development activities, sustainable development, traditional ecological knowledge, resource management.

Thesis available

Impacts of tertiary education on the social status of women, in relation to local social obligations and expectations: a case study from Mababe, Botswana

Thesis by: Segadimo, Golang

Abstract:
This project is about how exposure to different cultural values can impact the indigeneity of women. It focuses of how the culture of the majority, which is mostly imposed on these indigenous women through education and tertiary institutions, impacts the choices they make, as compared to the expectations and obligations of own community. I am using the case study on one indigenous group located in Mababe, Botswana. The Botswana education system syllabus promotes the culture of the majority, which is Tswana, despite the rich cultural diversity that the country has. The syllabus is also lined up to suit the western style of education. Learners are expected to learn all and practice some of the values learnt in the classroom. On contrary, learners are brought up in their communities being taught oral tradition, and own cultural values, and expected to practice them at home. Traditional values are completely different from values taught in the formal education system. This therefore causes a cultural mismatch. As much as education is important to the lives of many, and considered a way of personal development, to some indigenous communities the same can mean making sacrifices. This is because some indigenous communities still consider culture and oral tradition as a strong and important part of their lives. Retaining culture, at the same time pursuing formal education put these women on the cross-roads sometimes, causing cultural mismatch and making it hard to find a balance between the classroom culture and home culture. In finding themselves in the cross roads some learners react differently to this dilemma. Some choose to abandon own culture and assimilate in the culture of the majority, while others choose or are forced by circumstances to abandon education and keep own tradition. This thesis looks at the circumstances surrounding this issue, basing on the Khwee women of Mababe. Key word: Education, Indigeneity, Cultural values, Oral tradition, Women, Identity.

Thesis available

Seeds of Resistance: Civil Society Organisations, Land Rights and Food Sovereignty in Madagascar. A Participatory Research with VOIALA-Madagascar on Communities’ Resistance to Large Scale Land Acquisition Deals in Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar

Thesis by Castagnetti, Francesca

Abstract:
In Madagascar, as in a large number of other countries, vast areas of community land are being leased or sold to foreign investors, often with the support of the state at a regional level. Large-scale land acquisition deals (LLAD) constitute a multifaceted phenomenon severely impacting land tenure and food systems. These land deals represent a significant challenge for indigenous and local communities when it comes to securing local land sovereignty and sustaining local livelihoods over time. Justified by the international narratives of scarcity (of food and fuel sources), supported by the World Bank and neoliberal globalist policies, LLADs are typically undertaken by foreign investors and multinational corporations to secure control over means of capital accumulation and create development. Communities often lack bargaining power and means to demonstrate and secure land property. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can play a determining role in supporting communities’ claims and responses to LLADs in their territories. CSOs can facilitate topographic and legal support, training and media coverage. They can produce research and information on LLADs which is both relevant and accessible to the communities. They can mediate the communities’ relations with investors and state institutions. They can improve communication among the stakeholders. Lastly, they can fuel and support the emergence of local social movements for food sovereignty and counter-enclosure. This thesis sheds light on how local CSOs in the region of Haute Matsiatra, Madagascar, can support communities in facing and preventing LLADs. Through interviews and participant observation this research investigated what kind of CSOs’ support is already present and what is needed. This thesis is based on community-based research conducted with the local CSO VOIALA-Madagascar.

Thesis available