Submission ID 131937
| Issue/Objective | Supporting community engagement is part of the action on the social determinants of health equity (WHO, 2025). 'Save Deux Branches (SDB)' is a movement led by two young indigeneous ecological activists to stop mining activities in Dominica, a Caribbean small island developing state. This movement started around October 2025, a couple of months following the initial excavation works of the SDB site conducted by internationally contracted companies. These activities impact the Pagua River and surrounding communities including the indigenous Kalinago Territory. The objective of this communication is to make sense of the SDB movement based on an ecosocial framework, which allows discussion on the issues related to community actions and local leadership, power dynamics, and indigenous knowledge. |
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| Methodology/Approach | PC has conducted research activities from an interdisciplinary perspective since 2020 on climate and environmental change and health in Dominica. PC conducted participant observation in the SDB movement, including discussions with movement leaders, comments relating to the environmental/social impact report, observations of gatherings at the site, participation in field visits, and comments and suggestions based on various issues and laws with regard to environmental health. Research notes were taken throughout the process, consisting of describing and interpreting gatherings, discussions, interaction, SDB movement website and social media platforms, and Youtube discussions between national and regional journalists and the young leaders. |
| Results | The following interrelated themes were constructed in light of the eco-social paradigm: 1) ecological advocacy (the protection of the land); 2) the relationship with the environment (the belonging to the land); 3) the common good (community and environmental health) ; 4) community engagement (the capacity to build a collective project); and 5) participation and power dynamics (Kalinago rights on their land and their health). |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The discussion will focus on the relevance of the eco-social paradigm to make sense of community action that reclaims not only indigenous knowledge and rights, but also decision-making over the indigenous territory and all its components (communities, mountain, river, and forest) that shape community health. Several challenges arise, as movement discussions and interventions are caught in power dynamics and ongoing attempts at delegitimization. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Patrick Cloos Université de Montréal Patrick Cloos Université de Montréal Jeanelle Brisbane WildDominique Garry Auguiste WildDominique; Caribbean Youth Environment Network Dominica Patrick Cloos Université de Montréal |
