TSI Seminar

Uahikea Maile (University of Toronto)

Apr 25, 2023 3:30 PM
Location: Bell Room (Rutherford Physics, room 103) & Zoom
TSI Seminar

Title: A Case for Canadian Divestment from the Thirty Meter Telescope at Mauna Kea

Abstract:

How can Canadian astronomy be compliant with new policy regarding Native Hawaiian consent and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) at Mauna Kea? In 2021, the CASCA/ACURA (Canadian Astronomical Society and Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy) TMT Advisory Committee (CATAC) announced a new policy: “Unless the TMT project has consent from the Native Hawaiians, Canada’s astronomical community cannot support its construction on Maunakea.” CATAC claims this policy is consistent with CASCA’s Long Range Plan (LRP), which recommended in 2020 that the Canadian astronomy community develop and adopt guiding principles centered on consent from the Indigenous peoples who would be affected by any participating astronomy project. In that recommendation, the LRP stipulated engagement and implementation should be consistent with the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Actions and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This presentation examines the genealogy of CATAC’s new policy, and demonstrates that Canadian astronomy is currently out of compliance, in particular because there is no Native Hawaiian consent for TMT at Mauna Kea. In that light, this presentation considers the implications of non-compliance under UNDRIP and Federal Law. It concludes with a recommendation that for Canadian astronomy to be compliant with its own law and policy concerning Indigenous rights and Native Hawaiian consent, it ought to immediately divest from TMT at Mauna Kea.




Upcoming Events

Reality Check: The Perils and Promise of Observations to Characterize Small Exoplanets

Johanna Teske (Carnegie Institute for Science)

Apr 2, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 3, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 3, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Eclipse Fair and Viewing Party

Apr 8, 2024 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Location: McGill Campus, Lower Field
Public Outreach
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Vikram Ravi (Caltech)

Apr 9, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 10, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 10, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Christine Chen (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Apr 16, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 17, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 17, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Miles Cranmer (Cambridge and Simons Foundation)

Apr 23, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

Apr 24, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

Apr 24, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Seminar

Sunshine Menezes (Executive Director at Metcalf Institute)

Apr 30, 2024 3:30 PM
Seminar Event
Read More ⇒

Public Observing Night

Apr 30, 2024 7:30 PM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

APIERY Discussion

May 1, 2024 2:00 PM
Location: TSI Lounge
Other Event
Read More ⇒

Astro-ph discussion

May 1, 2024 3:30 PM
Other Event
Read More ⇒

TSI Public Talk

May 1, 2024 7:00 PM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

24hrs of Science - From Planets to Particles: An Exploration Mini-Fair

May 4, 2024 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Rutherford Physics Building
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒

24 Hours of Science

May 4, 2024 11:00 AM
Outreach Event
Read More ⇒