A Study of Environmental History: Environmental Justice of Indigenous People and Minamata Disease in Canada

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870912
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental policy and social systems; Historical studies in general
• Research Institution: Wako University
• Principal Investigator: Morishita Naoki 和光大学, 経済経営学部, 講師 (40589644)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Watanabe Kozo 立命館大学, 先端総合学術研究科・環太平洋文明研究センター, 副総長 (70159242) ; Hanada Masanori 熊本学園大学, 社会福祉学部・水俣学研究センター, 教授 (30271456)
• Research Collaborator: Oshio Kazuto 上智大学, 外国語学部・アメリカ・カナダ研究所, 教授 ; Paishk John Wabaseemoong Independent Nations, Chief ; Fobister Simon Grassy Narrows First Nation, Chief ; Aitkinhead Thor Solidarity Group Free Grassy
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 水俣病 / カナダ / 先住民 / 環境正義 / 環境史 / オジブエ / 水俣学 / 水銀

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the historical background and analysis of each actor involved in the problem concerning indigenous people's health damage caused by mercury contamination of river fish discovered in the 1970's have been analyzed. As a result, it became clear that mercury pollution control measures functioned as a part of the policy to assimilate the Ojibway people into Canadian society. Furthermore, while resisting these policy, this study faced a situation that continues to explore new ways of indigenous society as it locates within the nation of Canada. In order to maintain and restore traditional ways of living, the indigenous society have continuously negotiate with the local and the federal government of Canada collaborating with experts in Canada and other overseas including Japan.

Free Research Field

環境史　科学技術社会論