What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Resource Wars: Native and Environmental Struggles Against Multinational Corporations
Gedicks paints a disturbing picture of the current environmental crisis, but points to hopeful signs of resistance and coalition that could successfully block multinational corporations' resources colonization of native lands.
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
61 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 1, 2015
Al Gedicks' The New Resource Wars is an insightful read on the new threats facing Native lands. Gedick delivers extensive research as well as first-hand accounts from the battles with multinational corporations to prevent them from plundering the homes and land where indigenous peoples have settled. The only criticism I would level on the book is the way it's organized.
What I valued the most from reading this book, is when these resource wars were analyzed in a broader light (putting on the old wide angle lens). The wide-angle views really struck a cord and provided the motive and reason why more and more of these resource wars are breaking out all over the world. In a nutshell, the lands indigenous people have settled or in the case of North America been given by treaty hold some of the largest remaining mineral deposits.
Using case studies such as the Chippewa's battle with Exxon, the book makes a strong argue that environmentalists and indigenous people want the same outcome. This outcome simply being the preservation of natural resources. An alliance, however, doesn't come without some baggage. With Gedicks' personal involvement in alliances between environmental and indigenous groups, he spells out the ups and downs of the relationship.
At the end of the day, its clear that combining the legal, political, and research activities of both groups is essential to gaining the high-ground over giant energy corporations that are fixed on exploiting our natural world in exchange for a one time monetary profit.
What I valued the most from reading this book, is when these resource wars were analyzed in a broader light (putting on the old wide angle lens). The wide-angle views really struck a cord and provided the motive and reason why more and more of these resource wars are breaking out all over the world. In a nutshell, the lands indigenous people have settled or in the case of North America been given by treaty hold some of the largest remaining mineral deposits.
Using case studies such as the Chippewa's battle with Exxon, the book makes a strong argue that environmentalists and indigenous people want the same outcome. This outcome simply being the preservation of natural resources. An alliance, however, doesn't come without some baggage. With Gedicks' personal involvement in alliances between environmental and indigenous groups, he spells out the ups and downs of the relationship.
At the end of the day, its clear that combining the legal, political, and research activities of both groups is essential to gaining the high-ground over giant energy corporations that are fixed on exploiting our natural world in exchange for a one time monetary profit.
January 31, 2021
A crucial book for understanding the history of environmental/Native struggles against ecological disasters and exploitation by big corporations that present their plans as impossible to oppose. This book explains how treaty rights are a path forward.
June 14, 2013
Very informative. This book has really helped me understand the historical context of mining in Wisconsin and the struggles against it. This has been especially helpful in understanding the political and legal structures behind mining and the use of racism by state and corporate powers in order to divide what should be natural allies (sport fishermen/natives).
One thing I didn't like however, was how it celebrated "non-violence" and pacifism throughout the book. I feel like it's effectiveness was over-exaggerated as evidenced by the full extraction of the Flambeau Mining project which wasn't effectively stopped by civil disobedience tactics.
Also, Prof. Gedicks characterized the Bad River Train Blockade (which stopped sulfuric acid shipments to a mining site in Michigan) in 1996 as a purely civil disobedience event. Speaking with several different folks that were actually there, I learned that there was an element of "theatrical violence". Firearms were definitely present and the National Guard was called to bust it up, but fortunately the state wasn't willing to kill people. Perhaps he wasn't there and was basing this assertion on what he read in liberal publications like "The Progressive", which is forgivable I suppose.
One thing I didn't like however, was how it celebrated "non-violence" and pacifism throughout the book. I feel like it's effectiveness was over-exaggerated as evidenced by the full extraction of the Flambeau Mining project which wasn't effectively stopped by civil disobedience tactics.
Also, Prof. Gedicks characterized the Bad River Train Blockade (which stopped sulfuric acid shipments to a mining site in Michigan) in 1996 as a purely civil disobedience event. Speaking with several different folks that were actually there, I learned that there was an element of "theatrical violence". Firearms were definitely present and the National Guard was called to bust it up, but fortunately the state wasn't willing to kill people. Perhaps he wasn't there and was basing this assertion on what he read in liberal publications like "The Progressive", which is forgivable I suppose.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews