NCAI Convention

Rights of Nature and Tribal Governance

The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights (CDER) Tribal Rights of Nature Program Director, Frank Bibeau, and CDER partner, Menominee Organizer Guy Reiter, are leading a session at this year's National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Annual Conference.

Their breakout session is titled Rights of Nature and Tribal Governance. It will be on Thursday, October 22, at 10:30a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

In 2022, NCAI adopted Resolution #ANC-22-008, supporting Tribal efforts to recognize and enforce Rights of Nature within Tribal law and governance. Tribes, including the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, and Rappahannock Tribe have advanced these strategies through ordinances, resolutions, and constitutional protections.

This session will highlight Tribal Court cases involving the rights of manoomin (wild rice) and TsuladxW (salmon), demonstrating how Rights of Nature can strengthen Tribal sovereignty, cultural continuity, and nature. These examples also illustrate opportunities to assert Tribal jurisdiction when environmental threats directly affect the political integrity, security, health, or welfare of a Tribe.

This session will also highlight the Rights of Nature with community organizing. Through listening sessions, education, storytelling, leadership development, and collective action, Tribes can engage harvesters, elders, youth, cultural leaders, and citizens in protecting water, fish, plants, wildlife, and future generations.

The panel will share practical strategies for advancing Rights of Nature while strengthening solidarity and unity among Tribal Nations.

The conference registration is open - learn more here: https://www.ncai.org/event/83rd-annual-convention-and-marketplace