#socialcontracts

The Resilience of a Nation

Prior to Friday I had not fully understood what the term Social Contract meant. Citizens of a nation do not sign any documents or vote via a poll. Rather they implicitly consent to the terms and conditions of the contract implicitly, by simply being, and holding their nations’ passport (personal communications, Johanna Wolf, July 30th, 2016). In theory, social contracts are mutually beneficial, like a symbiotic relationship of sorts; where citizens accept responsibilities, such as paying taxes and obeying rules, in exchange for protection by the state (eg. education, healthcare, etc.) (O’Brian, Hayward, Berkes, 2009, p. 2). These very contracts have been presented as both a cause of social and environmental problems as well as possible solutions (Milliband, 2006, as cited by O’Brian, Hayward, Berkes, 2009, p. 1).

Possible social issues arise from the contract’s legitimised unequal distribution of power and the fact that people who never consented (eg. marginalised people and future generations) cannot exclude themselves from negative effects (personal communications, Johanna Wolf, July 30th, 2016). For example, Terry from the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations powerfully recounted how his ancestors where put on reserves and forced into the “Canadian System” (personal communications, Terry, July 30th, 2016). Without consideration, their language, values and culture where striped from their being, causing multi-generational trauma and disconnect.

Years later the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (TFN) are reclaiming their rights, reclaiming their lands and reclaiming their voice. In 1984 the TFN declared Meares Island a Tribal Park, a designation on their Ha’huulthii (territories) that is managed by the nation to better harmonize human needs and environmental well-being (Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, 2013). According to Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee (2013), Tribal Parks are designed to keep economic benefits within First Nations and local communities, which is a critical step in achieving sustainability on the west coast (Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks). Further, the Tribal Park is in direct contrast to the multinational industries - destructive logging, fish farms and mining – that operate throughout the region.

The development of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park, positions the TFN in a unique situation and provides many opportunities to begin a new path – a healing path of decolonization. Joe Martin (2013) sees the Tribal Park as a way to use the land their way, to unite, and use the resources of the forest in ways similar to their ancestors (Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks). Recognizing the rights and responsibilities of future generations within social contract is critical (O’Brian, Hayward, Berkes, 2009, p. 4); thus sustainably managing natural resources and creating viable economic investments to establish a healthy community is of utmost importance for the TFN.

Economic investments from Lisaak Forest Products, a forestry company owned and operated by the TFN for local needs to the virtually limitless eco-tourism opportunities throughout the region, is proving that economic needs can be met while reducing the impact on the environment (Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, 2013).

Across the globe there is new urgency to find ways to navigate a safe operating space for humanity from the bottom up and embrace local action in multi-scale approaches (Leach et al. 2012, p. 3). Through their dedication, strength and resilience the TFN have shown how much influence a bottom-up approach can have – the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park is a testament to this nation’s spirit and a beacon of their bright future.

As the nation continues to gain momentum and the story of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park unfolds, I hope that other nations, organizations, neighbourhoods, and individuals seeking change will begin to create it. The current ‘invisible” social contract needs a rewrite, a rewrite to mend social issues, heal communities and protect the environment upon which we all depend.

 References:

Leach, M., Rockstrom, J., Raskin. P., Scoones. I., Striling. A., Smith. A., Thompson. J., Millstone. E., Ely. A., Around. E., Folke. C., Olsson. P. (2012). Transforming innovation for sustainability. Ecology and Society. 17(2)

O’Brian. K., Hayward. B., Berkes. F. (2009). Rethinking social contracts: Building resilience in a changing climate. Ecology and Society. 14(2).

Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks. (2013). Retrieved from: https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/sites/all/files/publications/2013_tla-o-qui-aht_Paper-Web-2.pdf