- Details
- By Jenna Kunze
Earlier this month, the National Congress of American Indians adopted a resolution supporting the rights of nature at its mid-year conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
The National Congress of American Indians, founded in 1944, is the oldest and largest group representing American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments and communities.
The resolution, developed by Menīkānaehkem and the Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, asserts that Indigenous Peoples “authority and ability…to protect the natural environment is essential to our inherent sovereignty and self-determination,” an ability at risk “from the many environmental crises that we face today,” and exacerbated by “environmental laws [that] treat nature and Mother Earth as a non-living entity existing for human use.”
Additionally, the resolution references tribal efforts already in effect to protect and enforce the rights of nature, including the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin’s resolution recognizing rights of the Menominee River; The White Earth Band of Ojibwe’s ‘Rights of Manoomin,’ (wild rice); The Yurok Tribe recognizing the rights of the Klamath River; and the Nez Perce recognized rights of the Snake River; and both The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and the Oneida Nation recognizing rights of nature laws and resolutions.
More Stories Like This
Judge Rules Against Tribes in Lawsuit with 'Largest Clean Energy Project U.S. History'Department of Justice Weighs In On Line 5, Tribal Leaders Say It’s Not Enough
Makah Indian Tribe Gets Nearly $300K for Ocean Mapping
New Rules Strengthen Endangered Species Act, Department of the Interior Announces
Poarch Band of Creek Indians Receives Grant from EPA for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling
Native Perspective. Native Voices. Native News.
We launched Native News Online because the mainstream media often overlooks news that is important is Native people. We believe that everyone in Indian Country deserves equal access to news and commentary pertaining to them, their relatives and their communities. That's why the story you’ve just finished was free — and we want to keep it that way, for all readers. We hope you'll consider making a donation to support our efforts so that we can continue publishing more stories that make a difference to Native people, whether they live on or off the reservation. Your donation will help us keep producing quality journalism and elevating Indigenous voices. Any contribution of any amount — big or small — gives us a better, stronger future and allows us to remain a force for change. Donate to Native News Online today and support independent Indigenous-centered journalism. Thank you.
