Hydrogeology, European colonialism, local communities and First Peoples: moving beyond business as usual

Abstract

European colonialism altered the connections between First Peoples, local communities, and groundwater systems across the world. In many countries, the practice of hydrogeology remains intertwined with the economic agendas of colonial settler communities, making colonialism a useful lens through which to consider our work. This paper briefly summarizes connections between First Peoples, local communities and groundwater, as well as the role of groundwater as a resource in the process of European colonization. The key contemporary legacies of colonization pertaining to groundwater resource utilization and management are outlined, and established human rights that relate to the practice of hydrogeology are highlighted. The paper concludes with a call for more meaningful relationships between hydrogeologists and local communities, a broader practice of hydrogeology that respects and integrates traditional knowledge and community perspectives so that we can walk together into a better future.

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