Decolonial Conflict Transformation: Towards Indigenous Environmental Justice : Understanding Environmental Justice Conflict Dynamics from the Perspective of Ecuadorian Indigenous Social Movements

Abstract: This study examines the indigenous environmental justice conflict in settler-colonial Ecuador, aiming to contribute to a nuanced understanding of how environmental justice can be achieved regarding ways in which the conflict is expressed by indigenous peoples. The analysis departs from political articulations, worldviews, and deployed action repertoires to confront hegemonic power. The focus is on the following indigenous social movements: CONAIE, Mujeres Amazónicas, and Alianza Ceibo. The theoretical framework expands on conflict transformation theory, utilizing decolonial theory to provide greater contextualization. Based on a qualitative content analysis of indigenous communications, this thesis aims at highlighting an alternative understanding of environmental justice with transformative, decolonial abilities. The subsequent comparative analysis of action repertoires outlines how these manifest the movements’ strategical aims during EJ conflicts. The thesis concludes with outlining an alternative environmental justice formulation and a set of action repertoires deliberately deployed to achieve conflict transformation and environmental justice.