Indigenous Environmental Network

Description

The Indigenous Environmental Network is an alliance of grassroots Indigenous peoples working on environmental and economic justice issues.

It was established in 1990 in the United States by grassroots Indigenous peoples and individuals, growing out of annual Protecting Mother Earth Gatherings that began that year. It works mainly across North America and increasingly worldwide, building the capacity of Indigenous communities and tribal governments to protect sacred sites, land, water, air, natural resources and health. It maintains an informational clearinghouse and organizes campaigns, direct actions and public awareness efforts.

The Network convenes local, regional and national meetings on environmental and economic justice, and builds alliances among Indigenous communities, tribes, faith groups, labor and other environmental organizations. It supports tribal grassroots communities and governments with technical information and campaign strategy on issues such as toxic and nuclear waste, mining, deforestation and water rights. It has been a leading organizer in opposition to pipeline projects including the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, and represented Indigenous concerns at United Nations climate conferences.

Its goals include educating and empowering Indigenous Peoples to protect the environment, reaffirming traditional knowledge and natural law, and influencing policy that affects Indigenous Peoples at every level. It involves youth and elders throughout its work and is governed partly by an Elders Council alongside a Youth Council.