This study drew on critical place inquiry (CPI) to investigate biocultural place relationships in connection with the well-being and sustainability of the people of Isla Grande, Colombia. The term “biocultural place relationships” refers to the diverse connections between human culture and the natural environment. While CPI addresses critical questions and develops corresponding methodology that considers how the social life of a community is embedded in and with places, it also seeks to be a form of action that addresses such critical place issues as settler colonialism and environmental degradation.
Three main themes guided this investigation of place relationships: well-being, sustainability and biocultural relationships. “Well-being” in the context of this study, is based on “buen vivir,” a Latin American concept related to contemplation of “the good life” which, in some contexts, includes the idea of promoting well-being for both humans and non-humans. Because there are other interpretations of the concept, a challenge acknowledged in this research was to investigate how well-being is understood in different contexts and how collective actions may support or suppress diverse ways of becoming with place. The theme of sustainability aligns well with buen vivir, in that it contributes to well-being. The third theme, “biocultural relationships” was chosen because of the central role it plays in the community's social movement and for its connection with buen vivir and sustainability.
The Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) design used in this study allowed for the active involvement of six Afro-Columbian youth as co-researchers. YPAR is designed to ensure that research happens with instead of on participants. For this study, the youth participants investigated the biological, cultural, political, economic, technological and cosmic place relationships of significance to their lives by conducting related research activities in and with their ancestral territory places.
The youth-led investigation of place included photovoice and participatory mapping activities. With photovoice, the youth co-researchers used cameras to capture visual data relating to biocultural place relationships. These data served as prompts to support group dialogue and guide practical action to address shared concerns. For participatory mapping, the youth co-researchers used a tablet-based mapping application to take photographs, videos, audio recordings and notes to depict their choices of ancestral territory places important to them. They then participated in reflective group discussion to illuminate connections with buen vivir, sustainability, biocultural relationships and the research process. Follow-up action co-designed with the youth participants include a photography exhibition, a sustainability education field trip, and a community action initiative.
This research provides insights into how supporting youth involvement in research and related action can help a community re-imagine and transform place relationships in response to critical place issues, such as climate change, top-down resource management, privatization, commodification and environmental injustice.
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