2-3 PARAGRAPH ASSIGNMENT

Discussion: Promoting Global Diversity and Sustainability

When indigenous groups feel pressure from outside forces—colonialism in the past, or the seeming juggernaut of a global economy now—historically, the outside forces tend to overcome the indigenous groups. However, indigenous peoples are working toward self-determination and exercising their own agency, or power, to shape their destinies in response to globalization. In this Discussion, you explore the alliances and partnerships that work toward indigenous sustainability.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, noting the ways in which indigenous groups ally themselves with others and adapt to change.


• Identify a threat to cultural and biological diversity and/or environmental justice and sustainability in an indigenous group.


• Investigate whether or not the indigenous group is partnering with an external activist to maintain cultural and biological diversity and/or promote environmental justice and sustainability.


• Detail the joint actions undertaken, or the opportunity for joint actions that could be undertaken, to work toward diversity, justice, or sustainability for indigenous peoples.

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 3

Post two paragraphs that describe the joint actions undertaken—or that could be initiated—toward maintaining cultural and biological diversity or promoting environmental justice and/or sustainability for the indigenous group you identified. Analyze to what extent diversity, justice, and sustainability are important for the future of indigenous peoples.

Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources, or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.