Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the World: Suriname carbon credit program sidelines Indigenous communities, Indigenous wellbeing central in Indigenous Business Australia’s first Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy and in Canada, Indigenous sacred items still “manhandled” despite new security protocols.
SURINAME: Carbon credit program sidelines Indigenous communities.
Local and Indigenous communities in Suriname are raising concerns about a new carbon credit trading scheme, claiming the government implemented it without consulting them. They fear being excluded from forest conservation policies and revenue sharing connected to land with ancestral significance to them. Mongabay reported on Aug. 26.
Suriname’s government has launched the world’s first sovereign carbon credits under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement, allowing these credits to be traded globally. However, forest communities who have long preserved these lands claim they were sidelined in the process. “The people who’ve really been caring for the forest… are kind of a side note,” said John Goedschalk, head of Climate Change Advisory Services, criticizing the government for finalizing the program before consulting the communities, according to Mongabay. He described the approach as fundamentally flawed.
Carbon credits, often linked to preserving biodiverse rainforests like those in Suriname, allow entities to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Suriname, with 93 percent of its territory covered by the Amazon rainforest, is well-positioned to lead the carbon credit market due to its net-negative carbon emissions. The new credits, known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes, represent a pioneering step in global climate efforts.
Despite their crucial role in preserving these forests, Indigenous and Afro-descendent communities say they were excluded from developing the carbon credit program. They reported being approached only weeks before the announcement, violating their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, which should allow them to decide on matters concerning their lands.
Community leaders, including those from the Collaboration of Tribal Peoples in Suriname and the Association of Indigenous Village Leaders, expressed frustration in an August letter, stating, “We are rights holders, not just stakeholders.” Many communities were left confused, especially regarding the program’s grievance mechanism and revenue sharing. Although officials promised 95 percent of proceeds would benefit local communities, documents suggest Indigenous and Tribal groups would only receive 10 percent of the revenue, raising concerns about fairness and transparency.
The government, represented by Minister Marciano Dasai, discussed the carbon credit scheme at international forums before consulting local communities. As of now, the ministry has not responded to requests for comment. Communities are considering legal actions or appeals to international bodies like the U.N. or the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
AUSTRALIA: Indigenous wellbeing central in Indigenous Business Australia’s first ESG
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing is the focus of Indigenous Business Australia’s inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy, unveiled on Tuesday. National Indigenous Times reported on Aug. 27.
Focusing on the wellbeing of country, culture, and community, Indigenous Business Australia’s strategy aims to move beyond mere compliance and risk management by incorporating the lived experiences of Indigenous Australians. The federal body’s Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy highlights five priority areas: climate change and resilience, customer and data security, human rights and labor, integrity and business ethics, and responsible lending and investing.
Eddie Fry, IBA chairperson and a proud Dagoman man, emphasized IBA’s commitment to integrating ESG principles to support the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their businesses, co-investors, and the communities they serve. “Connection to Country, culture, and community are inherent to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, worldviews, and genealogy, providing a blueprint for sustainable development,” Fry said, according to National Indigenous Times.
He underscored IBA’s recognition of the inseparable links between Country and Indigenous peoples, asserting their responsibility to care for Country to ensure sustainability for future generations.
These priority areas align with IBA’s Strategy Towards 2028, which identifies significant risks and opportunities in the short and medium term. Mr. Fry acknowledged the urgent need for coordinated national and global efforts to enhance monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and rehabilitation across various ESG areas.
“IBA began a rapid transition because we have a very important role and responsibility to facilitate access to finance and capital, enabling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to meaningfully participate in the evolving economic and ESG landscape,” he said, according to National Indigenous Times. He also mentioned IBA’s exploration of new opportunities for responsible investment alongside Indigenous communities in sustainable ventures.
IBA highlights the unique rights and interests of Indigenous people over land and waters, emphasizing that their intrinsic understanding and cultural knowledge position First Nations peoples as the best protectors and restorers of Country, crucial for building resilience to climate change and addressing other systemic issues. “We must continue evolving our approach to incorporate environmental and intergenerational aspects into our overall impact,” Mr. Fry stated, according to National Indigenous Times.
IBA’s strategy offers a “structured, systematic, and strategic approach” to emerging ESG-related compliance and reporting requirements, including modern slavery and climate risk.
CANADA: Indigenous sacred items still ‘manhandled’ despite new security protocols
In 2022, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority introduced a new protocol for passengers traveling with sacred and spiritual items, but some Indigenous individuals report they continue to face challenges during airport screenings. CBC News reported on Aug. 30.
Kelly Lavallee, a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, often travels between Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto and Thunder Bay, carrying cultural items such as medicines and eagle feathers in her carry-on bag. During a trip in May, Lavallee experienced what she described as mishandling of her items by airport security in Thunder Bay. “My items were handled inappropriately. It felt like they were treated as mere curiosities,” she said, according to CBC, noting that the situation caused her flight to be delayed by over an hour. Video reviewed by CBC Indigenous showed three security officers examining her belongings with an X-ray machine.
Lavallee mentioned that she had informed the staff not to touch her sacred items, but they responded that they had received cultural training and could handle anything if they believed it posed a safety concern. She expressed her frustration, calling the way her sacred items were treated “disrespectful” and “dishonorable.”
Lavallee argued that the staff’s actions demonstrated that a few days of training are insufficient to fully understand the worldview of Indigenous peoples. Having faced similar issues before, Lavallee now feels increased anxiety every time she passes through airport security. She intends to escalate her concerns with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
Suzanne Perseo, an authority spokesperson, declined to comment on Lavallee’s specific experience but emphasized that screening officers are trained to offer passengers alternatives that reduce the likelihood of sacred and spiritual items being handled. “If an item triggers an alarm, including a spiritual or sacred item, the alarm must be addressed,” Perseo said, according to CBC. She added that officers are instructed to work with passengers to ensure items are screened with care and respect. Complaints are reviewed, and if issues are identified, corrective measures such as additional training may be implemented.
Heather Watts, president of First Peoples Group, an Indigenous consulting firm, said her organization has worked closely with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority to develop its screening processes. She pointed out that passengers have options when traveling with sacred items, such as requesting assistance from a facilitator to guide them through the screening process. Watts recommended asking for a facilitator when the boarding pass is scanned and disclosing the sacred items, though this request can also be made before the items are X-rayed.
Perseo mentioned that the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority is introducing a new facilitator role at Canada’s largest airports—a dedicated customer service professional with Indigenous cultural awareness training—to assist all passengers. Watts stressed the importance of Indigenous travelers knowing that these protocols are in place so they don’t feel intimidated about traveling with sacred items.
Greg Dreaver, from Mistawasis in Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan, shared that he has seen significant improvements in domestic airport screenings in recent years. He recalled that in the early 1990s, he was often asked to unbraid his hair, which he found invasive. Dreaver noted that the experience of Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak traveling with her headdress earlier this year highlighted the persistent challenges. On a recent trip through Halifax, Dreaver carried glass jars with medicines like sage and cedar in his carry-on. He praised the security staff for their respectful handling of his items, saying, “They made an effort to ask questions and engage in a respectful manner.”
Dreaver emphasized that he is aware of his rights and that the items he carries are an essential part of his identity. “They’re challenging the wrong person when they challenge me… They’re challenging all my ancestors,” he warned, suggesting that security staff should be prepared to learn if they violate these rights.”
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in Canada where the treatment of Kelly Lavallee’s sacred items at Thunder Bay airport is not just a failure of procedure; it is a profound disrespect of Indigenous cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. The mishandling of these items—treated as mere curiosities rather than sacred objects—highlights a glaring gap in the sensitivity and respect that should be afforded to all passengers, especially those carrying items of deep spiritual significance.
Airport security is, of course, a critical concern. The safety of all passengers must be ensured, but this does not give license to disregard the cultural and spiritual significance of the belongings people carry. It is essential that security protocols respect the dignity and beliefs of Indigenous travelers, whose sacred items are not just objects but integral parts of their identity and spiritual practice.
The inadequate response from airport staff, despite their supposed cultural training, underscores the need for a more comprehensive and genuine approach to cultural sensitivity. A few days of training cannot encompass the full depth of Indigenous worldviews and the reverence with which sacred items must be treated. This incident should serve as a wake-up call for all airports to review and improve their practices.
Every airport must ensure that its security staff are not only trained but also truly understand the importance of handling sacred and spiritual items with the utmost care and respect. This is not merely about compliance; it is about honoring the diverse cultures and beliefs of all travelers. Security measures can and must be balanced with respect for cultural practices.
We call upon airports across the country to take immediate action to prevent such incidents from happening again. This includes not only providing thorough training to all security personnel but also establishing clear protocols that allow for the respectful handling of sacred items without compromising safety. Indigenous passengers should never have to fear that their sacred belongings will be disrespected or desecrated during travel.
Respect for cultural and spiritual items is not a matter of choice but a matter of dignity and human rights. By taking these steps, airports can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and respect for all travelers, ensuring that security and cultural sensitivity coexist in harmony.
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