> I am a student at St. Lawrence University. I'm taking a course in
> Native environmental issues. I am curious to whether there
> is any information regarding the effects of pollution on the
> psychological capabilites of native people.
> from Toby Myers
I've responded directly to Toby via email, but thought I'd also send a
general note to the list because this is such an important issue.
For those who are interested there is a model study of the effects of
PCBs on native health (including physical and psychological health)
and on native culture being conducted at the Akwesasne (St Regis)
Mohawk Reserve in a partnership between environmental and health
specialists from the reserve and public health researchers from the
School of Public Health at the University at Albany (State University
of New York). The study is a multi-million dollar study funded by the
National Institute of Environmental Health.
What makes this a model, in my opinion, is that it is truly a full
partnership between native scientists and health specialists from the
reserve and a university. Nothing is done that is not either
requested or fully considered and approved by nation representatives.
Much of the original design has been modified by the native members of
the research team to fit the culture of Akwesasne and the
Haudenosaunee Confederacy. And the non-native scientists on the team
are required to participate in regular training by native people on
Mohawk traditions and values and on native approaches to science.
The protocol that is used by the nation to determine what can be done
in this study is simple: Nothing can be done unless it can be shown
to directly benefit the people of Akwesasne. Nothing is done just to
advance research -- it must be needed and wanted by the people of the
reserve. This protocol, which is actually very specific, was
developed by a panel of young people at Akwesasne who have taken on
the responsibility of protecting the Reserve from non-native
scientists who would use the reserve for their own professional
purposes.
Ron Red Owl
r.red-owl@albany.edu