“No One Can Say the Karonsi'e Dongi Were Not Here:” a Photovoice Study
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
“NO ONE CAN SAY THE KARONSI’E DONGI WERE NOT HERE:” A PHOTOVOICE STUDY OF GENDERED RESISTANCE TO MINING IN INDONESIA by Tracy Glynn B.Sc., Advanced Major in Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, 1999 M.Sc., Environmental Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2006 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of New Brunswick Supervisor(s): Carolyn Bassett, Ph.D., Dept. of Political Science, Leslie Jeffrey, Ph.D, Dept. of History and Politics Examining Board: Suzanne Dudziak, Ph.D., School of Social Work, St. Thomas University; Cathy Holtmann, Ph.D., Department of Sociology, University of New Brunswick; Daniel Tubb, Ph.D., Dept. of Anthrology, University of New Brunswick External Examiner: Catherine Nolin, Ph.D., Dept. of Geography, University of Northern British Columbia This dissertation is accepted by the Dean of Graduate Studies THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK July 27, 2020 © Tracy Glynn, 2020 Abstract Resistance to nickel mining in Sorowako, Indonesia has existed since farmers were forced to give up their land for the mine in the 1970s. However, little is known about the gendered nature of resistance to mining in Sorowako, especially women’s everyday resistance. Grounding my study in feminist political economy, intersectionality, and theories on everyday resistance, I conducted a photovoice study, in combination with interviews, participation observations and a conjunctural exercise that historically situated the struggles captured in the photo-stories, to gain insights on gendered forms of resistance to resource extraction. Fourteen Karonsi’e Dongi and Sorowako women, seven from each community, affected by Vale’s mine produced 75 photo-stories that revealed photovoice to be an effective method for unearthing intent and consciousness in everyday resistance, which some resistance scholars argue cannot be observed. The predominant theme found in the women’s photo-stories involved descriptions of how life is a struggle due to mining. The women reveal they are aware of how their oppression is mediated by structures designed to facilitate mining, namely dispossession and exploitation. They also show their knowledge of the intersectional nature of their oppression by telling stories of how different people are affected differently by mining. Another predominant theme uncovered in the photo-stories depicted home as special in terms of its natural and cultural assets. I relate these photo-stories to storied presencing that asserts Indigenous ways of being in the world (Simpson, 2011). In another predominant theme, the women revealed that they are consciously resisting through what Bayat (2000) described as quiet encroachments of the ordinary. The Karonsi’e Dongi women described how they defy authorities and grow crops and forage on land that they are steadily reclaiming. While the ii Sorowako women are not engaging in such acts of everyday resistance, their photo- stories reveal they do not fully consent to mining as they empathize with their neighbours who have been harmed due to mining. These photo-stories challenge colonial scripts that bolster extractivism, deny the agency and humanity of Indigenous women, and delay a transition to a post-extractivist future by stating clearly what the Indigenous women desire for their lives and communities. iii Dedication I dedicate this photovoice study to Pegy, who accompanied me as I did interviews in the Karonsi’e Dongi settlement of Bumper a year before her tragic death at the age of 14 years old in 2014. Pegy’s life was cut short because of structural violence, in this case, unsafe school transportation. I will remember Pegy as a beautiful teenager who came to say goodbye to me at the Sorowako bus station on an August evening in 2013. We talked about her cute turquoise jelly sandals. She asked me about going to Canada. We both dreamed about how to make that happen. Pegy at her home in the Karonsi’e Dongi settlement of Bumper in 2013. iv Acknowledgments This dissertation is a result of many insightful conversations with women in mining communities in Indonesia and across the world. I have come to better understand how coal mining in Minto, New Brunswick affected generations of women in my family as a result of these exchanges. I am grateful and humbled by the strength, courage and conviction of the women standing up to extractivism across the world. I want to thank one woman in particular: Siti Maimunah (Mai). I had the honour of working alongside Mai at the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) in Jakarta in the early 2000s. As she embarks on her PhD at the University of Passau in Germany, I can only imagine what further contributions she will have for mine-affected communities. Whether she is writing books or articles that are critical of the mining industry in Indonesia or placing her feet in cement with Javan farmers wanting to stop an unwanted development in their community, her commitment to social justice and equality inspires fellow activists in Indonesia and beyond. I could never keep up with her and I can’t imagine that I ever will. The journey to my PhD was not a conventional one and I will forever be grateful to Carolyn Bassett for taking a chance on me, a student with a background in natural sciences who became fascinated with political economy as a result of time spent with people resisting global capitalist forces in Indonesia. A dear friend said I found the perfect Ph.D. supervisor and he was right. Carolyn was not only a critical development scholar with extensive knowledge to share on social movements and the political economy of gender and globalization but she also had a history of working with v organizations that I hold in high esteem such as the Canadian Peace Alliance and the Latin America Working Group. I am so grateful to Carolyn for patiently walking me through theoretical concepts and for providing insightful feedback on numerous drafts of my work as I waded through my research ideas, courses, comprehensive exams and dissertation. Even though she died of cancer before I completed this dissertation, I feel that Carolyn was with me through to the end, encouraging my curiosity and pushing me to be more thoughtful with my analysis and more careful with my words. I wish to thank Leslie Jeffrey for taking over as my supervisor near the end of my degree, and for providing me with insightful feedback, and for also chairing my comprehensive exam defense. I learned a lot from Leslie on how to write an effective dissertation and best explain my arguments. She encouraged me to “carve that diamond.” I am especially grateful to my committee members, Suzanne Dudziak and Shannon Bell, for the knowledge they shared on theories of social movements and photovoice. I wish to thank Suzanne for reviewing drafts of my work and challenging me to dig deeper with my analysis. Shannon’s participatory action research with Appalachian women on coal mining inspires me to develop the photovoice method in ways that further social justice. I thank the heads of Interdisciplinary Studies during my studies, Linda Eyre and Mary McKenna, who answered my questions and encouraged me throughout my degree. Linda’s enthusiasm for my research ideas made me feel supported as I dove into the uncertain world of doctoral studies. vi A stellar team facilitated the photovoice project in Indonesia and the showcasing of the photo-stories outside the borders of Indonesia. I thank Siti Maimunah, the project’s co-facilitator; Abdallah Naem, photographer/trainer; and Hendrik Siregar, Ucup and others with the Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) in Jakarta. I appreciate the time that they took away from their important work in mine-affected communities across Indonesia to contribute their skills, resources and support to this study. I thank Alexandra Montgomery and Aurélie Maire for translating the photo-stories into Portuguese and French, and graphic designer Amélie Allain for designing the photo-story posters. I am especially grateful to Yusri Yusuf and his family, including Safriani Yusuf, for being my gracious hosts in Sorowako several times, specifically for housing, feeding and transporting me to numerous meetings, interviews and field visits. I am inspired by their knowledge of Sorowako’s history and commitment to justice for all people. I am indebted to numerous organizations and individuals for supporting the photovoice project’s exhibitions at various venues, especially the Steelworkers Humanity Fund and MiningWatch Canada, namely Catherine Coumans and Jennifer Moore. Members of the 2015 New Brunswick World March of Women Committee assisted me in organizing the first exhibition at the Wilmot United Church in Fredericton. Connie Sorio and Wolastoqey clan grandmother Alma Brooks brought the exhibition to the KAIROS Gender and Mining Symposium in Vancouver in 2015. Doug Olthuis at the Steelworkers Humanity Fund arranged for the exhibition to be at the Steelworkers Women’s Conference in Vancouver in 2015. Maíra Sertã Mansur and others supported the exhibition’s presence at the 2016 International Articulation of Vale Affected Peoples vii Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Alex Bailey and Loralie Boyle assisted me in setting up the exhibition at the Mayworks Fredericton Festival in 2016. I have been fortunate to find peers who have invited me into spaces where I could share my research and receive critical feedback. I thank Daniel Tubb and Tom Beckley for inviting me to present about my research at the Rural Issues Workshop Series at the University of New Brunswick. The feedback gathered from the workshop participants allowed me to think about my research in new ways. I am especially grateful to Matthew Hayes for inviting me to present my research during its infancy at the Occupy Speakers Series at St. Thomas University in 2011, for reviewing drafts of my work and for many conversations that deepened my knowledge of political economy and sociology.