Coalition Building between Native American and Environmental Organizations in Opposition to Development

Abstract

Coalitions between Native American and environmental organizations in opposition to ecologically destructive projects have been an important recent development in environmental actions. This article explores one such coalition, which was organized in resistance to a large dam project, the New Los Padres Dam, planned for the Carnel River; California. Social movement theorists have, in the past, emphasized the importance of material resources for the success of social movements (the resource mobilization perspective) and more recently, have placed attention on symbolic resources (ideas and beliefs) as key factors in mobilizing support for a movement. In the coalition studied here, the significance of traditional Native American philosophy (the indigenist vision) as a symbolic resource both for Native American and non-native activists is investigated, and the respective contributions of Native American and environmental organizations to the struggle against the New Los Padres Dam are outlined, exploring both collaborations and differing strategies.