OTTAWA – Canada is facing criticism for its involvement in supporting the development of a contentious telescope on Hawai’i Island, amid allegations that the project violates Indigenous rights.
Last Friday, a coalition of academics and advocacy organizations called on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for early warning and urgent action regarding the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) development.
The proposed telescope is intended to be constructed on Mauna Kea, a site renowned for its optimal observation conditions due to its high elevation above a significant portion of Earth’s atmosphere and favorable climate for capturing clear images.
However, Mauna Kea holds significant cultural importance for the Kanaka Maoli, the Indigenous Peoples of Hawaii, who have vehemently opposed the project’s development.
Critics argue that Canadian astronomical organizations misrepresented obtaining consent from Indigenous Hawaiians, despite having policies in place that indicated they would not proceed without such consent.
The National Research Council, which contributed $30 million to the project’s construction costs, has acknowledged the petition and states that it is reviewing the matter. The federal government emphasizes that it upholds the “principles” outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
In 2015, the previous Conservative federal government pledged an additional $243 million over ten years to support the telescope project.
The controversy surrounding the TMT project highlights the ongoing tensions between scientific advancements and the protection of Indigenous rights, prompting international scrutiny and discussions regarding the appropriate balance between development and cultural preservation.