Indigenous Resistance to Mining in New Caledonia

Indigenous resistance in New Caledonia, particularly by the Kanak people, has emerged as a response to extensive nickel mining operations. Companies established large-scale refineries despite historical opposition, particularly in the southern region, where local leaders mobilized a protest movement. Women's roles within these movements were crucial, as they actively supported resistance efforts, maintained barricades, and managed logistical support despite cultural barriers limiting their leadership roles. However, women's exclusion from formal negotiations with mining companies highlighted ongoing gender inequalities, revealing that traditional customs were often misused to justify their marginalization.