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Who's counting? Spatial politics, ecocolonisation and the politics of calculation in Boundary Bay.

Authors :
Norman, Emma S
Source :
Area. Jun2013, Vol. 45 Issue 2, p179-187. 9p. 2 Maps.
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Answering the simple question, 'who's counting', reveals much about the spatial and cultural politics of ecosystem management. In this paper, I unite the concept of 'ecocolonisation' with the body of work on the politics of calculation. I argue that political technologies - including calculative techniques such as the enumeration of contamination levels - are a form of ecocolonisation that have considerable political effects on Indigenous communities. I explore the ways that historically connected Indigenous communities are divergently impacted by shellfish regulations and water pollution through an investigation of Boundary Bay, which straddles the Canada- US border on the Pacific coast. In closing, I suggest the on-going need to decolonise our understanding of calculative techniques for ecosystem management, and offer a more nuanced interpretation of space that accounts for both traditional boundaries and connected ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00040894
Volume :
45
Issue :
2
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Area
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
87549874
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12000