The independent nation of Sāmoa has a vibrant history from its precolonial era to colonial occupationand active missionization in the 19th century to independence in 1962. Today, the archipelago has amajority Samoan population at 92%, Samoan language is spoken by nearly 100% of the totalpopulation, and 80% of land is customarily owned giving a different kind of meaning the phrase“Land Back.” The Sāmoa context then is very different to the context of settler colonial context ofNative America.

Indigenous environmental justice describes an approach to addressing environmental issues that centers Indigenous rights and knowledge over lands, oceans and skies. In Sāmoa, global markets for overfishing and resource extraction as well as climate change and rising sea levels impacts the people, environment, and culture of Sāmoa and other Pacific nations. This program explores issues such as biodiversity loss, rising seas levels, increasing climate disaster and various environmental justice efforts at community and national levels in response.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Despite producing just 0.02% of global emissions, the Pacific is disproportionately impacted by climate change. In this course, you will learn about Indigenous and Sāmoan perspectives on climate change and artistic and activist responses. In addition, you will learn about the Sāmoan way (faʻa Sāmoa) and gain understanding on how indigeneity figures in the global context. This course is completed alongside ES 488/588 Climate Science and Policy in Sāmoa.