Environmental Communication and Conciliation: Exploring Arts-Based and Indigenous Approaches

This book explores methods of bringing environmentalist, art-based and Indigenous ways of knowing and being into dialogue to improve relationships with the Earth and Her First Peoples. Geo Takach argues that two of the greatest crimes committed by humanity – environmental devastation and the continued dishonour, dispossession and attempted eradication of Indigenous peoples – are entwined and need to be addressed together. Rooted in communication and cultural studies, this book explores ways to bring environmental, arts-based, and Indigenous ways of knowing and being into dialogue towards improving relationships with the Earth and Her First Peoples. Through this multimodal exploration, the book builds an analytical foundation for that alliance by considering causes and challenges common to ecological and human colonization. Joined by a generous array of Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge-keepers, artists, scholars and citizens, Takach then demonstrates how we can interweave environmental, arts-based and Indigenous perspectives and collaborative meaning-making in our communications to inspire what he calls environmental conciliation.