Listening to neglected voices: American Indian perspectives on natural resource management

Abstract

Forestry agencies must ensure that the views of all citizens in our increasingly diverse society are included in decisionmaking. But gaining clear insights into the perspectives of ethnic and minority communities is often difficult. This article summarizes an analysis of news articles about resource management issues written by American Indians and published in Indian newspapers and finds ways in which their attitudes differ from those of many other Americans-particularly in the importance of spiritual values and the validity of traditional knowledge. The news stories also indicate a deep lack of trust in land management agencies. This approach-analyzing perspectives on natural resource management as expressed in a community's own words-can be used to learn about the attitudes of other minority populations. Managers who know how all their constituents think about natural resources will better understand the social context in which decisions need to be made.