Canadian Astronomy on Maunakea: On Respecting Indigenous Rights. (arXiv:1910.03665v1 [astro-ph.IM])
<a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Neilson_H/0/1/0/all/0/1">Hilding R. Neilson</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Rousseau_Nepton_L/0/1/0/all/0/1">Laurie Rousseau-Nepton</a>, <a href="http://arxiv.org/find/astro-ph/1/au:+Lawler_S/0/1/0/all/0/1">Samantha Lawler</a>
(Abridged) Canadian astronomy has, for decades, benefited from access to
observatories and participating in international consortia on one of the best
astronomical sites in the world: Maunakea. However, Maunakea is part of the
unceded territory of the Native Hawaiian peoples and has always been of special
significance to Hawaiian culture. The use of the summit and its science reserve
has created tensions in the past decade, particularly with the development of
the Thirty Meter Telescope. A meaningful and respectful response from the
International astronomy community is still lacking. It is expected that the LRP
2020 will continue to support Canadian astronomy on Maunakea so a better
official statement on the position and involvement of CASCA should be prepared.
In this paper we present recommendations, based on the United Nation
Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, for the Canadian astronomical
community to better support Indigenous rights on Maunakea and Hawaii while
providing clear guidelines for the astronomical community to participate in
activities conducted on Indigenous land. This framework is designed to motivate
conversations with Indigenous communities regarding our place on Indigenous
lands and our roles, and responsibilities toward the communities we are working
with. Furthermore, we propose this framework as a basis for engaging with
communities around the world regarding consent for astronomical facilities.
(Abridged) Canadian astronomy has, for decades, benefited from access to
observatories and participating in international consortia on one of the best
astronomical sites in the world: Maunakea. However, Maunakea is part of the
unceded territory of the Native Hawaiian peoples and has always been of special
significance to Hawaiian culture. The use of the summit and its science reserve
has created tensions in the past decade, particularly with the development of
the Thirty Meter Telescope. A meaningful and respectful response from the
International astronomy community is still lacking. It is expected that the LRP
2020 will continue to support Canadian astronomy on Maunakea so a better
official statement on the position and involvement of CASCA should be prepared.
In this paper we present recommendations, based on the United Nation
Declaration for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, for the Canadian astronomical
community to better support Indigenous rights on Maunakea and Hawaii while
providing clear guidelines for the astronomical community to participate in
activities conducted on Indigenous land. This framework is designed to motivate
conversations with Indigenous communities regarding our place on Indigenous
lands and our roles, and responsibilities toward the communities we are working
with. Furthermore, we propose this framework as a basis for engaging with
communities around the world regarding consent for astronomical facilities.
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