A relational theoretical framework and meanings of land, nature, and sustainability for research with Indigenous communities

Bibliographic Data

ID8097633
AuthorsR Datta (0000-0001-7511-6583, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume20
Issue1
Pages102-113
Publication date2013-07-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueLocal Environment (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-9839 • E-ISSN: 1469-6711
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13549839.2013.818957
OpenAlexW2201757715
LanguageEN
Citations received42
References cited26

What may be achieved through taking up the complex exploration of nature, land, and sustainability is a growing field of inquiry in both science and social science, particularly for those who are interested in the local environment. Meanings of nature, land, and sustainability have been either misunderstood or misrepresented within disciplinary boundaries in many Indigenous communities. To explore the meanings of things such as nature, land, and sustainability in Indigenous communities, we as researchers had better first acknowledge the spirituality and local experiences that connect one actor with other actors. A relational ontology is the conceptual framework within which I suggest meanings of traditional land, nature, and sustainability such as traditional experiences, culture, and customs, are important issues for Indigenous lives and environment. This framework may potentially guide the researcher through the critical concerns of identifying the problems of existing land, nature, and sustainability management in relation to the everyday land-based practices and traditional experiences in Indigenous regions

Conceptual framework · Environmental ethics · Environmental resource management · Indigenous · Social science · Social sustainability · Sociology · Spirituality · Sustainability · Sustainability science · Anthropological Studies and Insights · Geographies of human-animal interactions · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Ecology