One Class Period Environmental Science Lesson Plan for High School with Additional Resources to Extend the Lesson
Each of the following films features indigenous people who came together as a community to protect their land and the environment using community resistance.
The three films below have an approximate total run time of 22 minutes.
Berta Cáceres rallied her indigenous Lenca people to wage a grassroots protest that successfully pressured the government of Honduras and the world's largest dam builder to withdraw from building the Agua Zarca Dam. (8:52 minutes run time)
A former tribal chief, Marilyn Baptiste led her native community in defeating proposed gold and copper mines that would have destroyed Fish Lake source of spiritual identity and livelihood for her people. (4:50 minutes run time)
In 2020 Nemonte received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize and was named to Time Magazine’s Top 100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. (8:20 minutes run time)
Discussion Questions
1. In the film Mother of All Rivers, Berta Cáceres rallied her indigenous Lenca people to resist the building of a dam on the Rio Blanco in Honduras due to the devastating effects it would have on the environment. What would be the impact on the environment and lives of the people who lived there if the dam was built on the Rio Blanco?
2. In the film One Woman Roadblock, Marilyn Baptiste led the first nation people Xeni Gwet’in in British Columbia in defeating a copper and gold mine proposed by Taseko, a large mining company. How was she able to block their proposed gold and copper mines?
3. In Rainforest Action, Nemonte Nenquimo, Ecuadorian Waorani Indigenous leader, led her people to fight against their land being sold for oil rights. How did she succeed in her mission and how has it impacted other indigenous people?
4. How did each of these women featured in the films demonstrate courage?
Extend the Lesson to Additional Class Periods
Have students research indigenous people in different areas of the world. How do they rely on the environment for their livelihood? How are they connected to the land spiritually?
Organizer created on 4/6/2022 9:27:22 AM by Laura Nietzer
Last edited 4/17/2024 12:47:38 PM by Laura Nietzer
