ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by defining "techno-oppression" and two specific kinds of environmental racism inflicted under the tribal context. It refers to as "explicit" and "subtle" environmental racism. What remains unclear are viable political approaches today for eliminating techno-oppression. The chapter gives a case overview of one political approach—"treatment as state status" (TAS status). The chapter argues that TAS status commits an error that should be avoided at all costs in the tribal context. TAS status is a theory of tribal sovereignty that does not eliminate environmental racism, despite its relevance to breaking often oppressive decision scenarios. The chapter fails to eliminate environmental racism because it does not respect the tribal perspectives on environmental risk and its management. It describes two kinds of environmental racism in order to more completely contextualize the impacts of techno-oppression on tribes. The issue that the chapter explores is whether TAS status is an adequate solution for techno-oppression in the tribal context.
