Indigenous Influence on the Rights of Nature Movement

Authors

Vanessa Racehorse, University of New Mexico - School of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 2023

Abstract

The growing recognition of the rights of nature is a blend of both modern conservation efforts and principles reflected in traditional Indigenous stewardship that should be an essential component of the discourse around environmental justice. This article provides an overview of the laws that invoke the rights of nature that Indigenous perspectives and practices regarding environmental preservation have influenced. This discussion pays particular attention to the White Earth Band of Ojibwe's "Rights of Manoomin" law and Manoomin v. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (White Earth Band of Ojibwe Tribal Ct. 2021), the first rights of nature case filed in a tribal court. This article explores this tribal law and tribal court case for the implications they may have for tribal and other governments, as well as individual citizens, to further explore the acknowledgment of environmental personhood as a means to promote environmental justice.

Publisher

ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources

Publication Title

Natural Resources & Environment

Volume

38

Issue

2

First Page

4

Last Page

8

Keywords

Rights of Nature, Environmental Justice, White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Manoomin, Tribal Law

Recommended Citation

Vanessa Racehorse, Indigenous Influence on the Rights of Nature Movement, 38 Natural Resources & Environment 4 (2023).
Available at: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/law_facultyscholarship/946