NATIONAL TRIBAL RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM: DEFINING TRIBAL APPROACHES IN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PERSPECTIVES CONCERNING RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
Author:
Rico O. Cruz, David F. Conrad, Donna L. Powaukee, and Kristie L. Baptiste
Date Published:
Description:
Conventional risk assessments typically focus solely on reducing human exposure with minimal attention given to environmental and ecological goals and none given to values-based indigenous cultural goals. Thus, risk measurements for ecological and cultural impacts are almost totally ignored. The Nez Perce Tribe, and perhaps other tribes, identify at least three health impacts other than exposure. These include spiritual, emotional, and physical impacts. The tribal risk assessment approach usually incorporates indigenous cultural values and the holistic philosophy of the relationship between humans and the environment. The holistic approach defines human health in a broad way to mean health, environment, and culture. This holistic approach considers indirect health effects, the knowledge held by tribal elders about the significance of natural resources to the Nez Perce people, and tribal community-based knowledge on how contaminants impact cultural identity. Hence, a tribal risk model defines each living organism as connected to every other living organism. Harm caused to any living thing also harms the whole. Although the tribal risk assessment task if formidable, tribes must acknowledge and understand the concept of risk assessment in the broader context of policy and decision-making. Tribes must become technically and scientifically adept at using the risk assessment tool, and must be administratively proficient in managing
risks for tribal communities.
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