Rebuttal

Abstract

We appreciate the thoughtful commentary of Graham Baines on our essay on ecocolonialism and indigenous controlled reserves in Samoa. We largely agree with his points, and hope that our experiences in Samoa may prove informative to others. While our discussion of the historical and philosophical roots of ecocolonialism may prove tedious to some readers, such as Dr Baines, we felt it important to attempt to provide some explanatory framework for the course of recent events concerning the Samoan preserves. The supremacy of Western culture to all indigenous cultures is so deeply assumed by some, that there is conservation efforts, let along tender them control of conservation efforts as we have sought to do so in Samoa.