indigenous justice
Indigenous author Ailton Krenak advocates for a future rooted in Indigenous wisdom
Brazilian Indigenous author Ailton Krenak argues that society must reconnect with nature and ancestral knowledge to address today’s environmental crises.
In short:
- Krenak’s book, Ancestral Future, criticizes the over-reliance on technology and calls for a worldview centered on nature.
- He emphasizes that Indigenous ways of living, which prioritize the environment, offer crucial insights for addressing climate change.
- Krenak’s experiences, including the displacement of his family in rural Brazil, fuel his advocacy for strengthening humanity's connection to the natural world.
Key quote:
“He almost literally comes from a different world, and so provides an extraordinarily useful testimony. There are very few human beings in quite that same position, very few writers.”
— Bill McKibben, environmental author and activist.
Why this matters:
In a world obsessed with quick fixes and innovation, Krenak’s message is a reminder that the answers might just be simpler—and closer to home—than we think. His work challenges us to rethink our relationship with the Earth and to see environmental stewardship not as a new-age trend but as a return to a more balanced way of living. Read more: Colonialism, the climate crisis, and the need to center Indigenous voices.
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Nuns push Wall Street for environmental justice through shareholder advocacy
Faith-based advocates urge Citibank to respect Indigenous rights.
In short:
- Sister Susan Francois emphasized the Catholic Church's historical role in colonization while advocating for Indigenous rights at Citibank's shareholder meeting.
- Despite the failure of their resolution for the third year, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace plan to continue their advocacy against financing harmful fossil fuel projects.
- Citibank's recent report on Indigenous peoples' rights was criticized for not meeting international standards, highlighting ongoing concerns over corporate responsibility.
Key quote:
“This is a clear message to the bank that human rights violations are bad for business.”
— Sister Susan Francois, Treasurer of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace
Why this matters:
The nuns’ persistent advocacy reinforces the role of ethical investing in combating climate change and supporting Indigenous communities. Read more: What would a just energy transition look like for US tribes?
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A renewed push for the Recovering America's Wildlife Act faces competition
The outcome of these legislative efforts is crucial for ensuring the protection and recovery of thousands of at-risk species across the U.S.
In short:
- The Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA) aims to secure substantial annual funding for U.S. wildlife agencies and tribal nations, promoting extensive conservation efforts.
- A competing bill in the U.S Senate, America's Wildlife Habitat Conservation Act, has different funding strategies and amendments, affecting conservation approaches and federal budgets.
- Both bills highlight the complexity and urgency of funding conservation efforts, with RAWA gaining broad bipartisan support while facing challenges in securing a stable funding source.
Key quote:
"We got to the point where we just got more and more co-sponsors. Everybody came together and said, ‘This looks like a durable solution’."
— Glenn Olson, chair of bird conservation and public policy at the National Audubon Society.
Why this matters:
Legislation to enhance funding for wildlife conservation in the U.S. affects biodiversity and ecosystem stability across the country. Read more: The health of wildlife is inseparable from our own.
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Canada and the US tackle mine pollution with an international study
After years of advocacy by the Ktunaxa Nation, Canada and the U.S. have agreed to an International Joint Commission inquiry into pollution from southeast B.C.'s Elk Valley coal mines.
In short:
- The inquiry aims to address contamination affecting the Elk and Kootenay rivers, with a focus on selenium's risk to aquatic life.
- Efforts include forming a governance body and a two-year study to develop action plans and understand the pollution's impact.
- Teck, the mining company, has invested over $1.4 billion in pollution mitigation, but selenium levels remain a concern.
Key quote:
“I am glad to see that the U.S. and Canada are finally taking their commitments to Indigenous Peoples, the environment and the international Boundary Waters Treaty seriously.”
— Gary Aitken Jr., vice chairman of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
Why this matters:
The initiative represents an important step toward addressing a century-long pollution issue in southeast B.C., focusing on health outcomes and the environment. Coal extraction and coal burning pollutes the planet and threatens ecosystems in myriad insidious ways.
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British Columbia's handling of hazardous spills falls short, audit reveals
British Columbia's preparedness for hazardous spills is inadequate, with outdated response plans and insufficient compliance oversight, an audit finds.
Amanda Follett Hosgood and Andrew MacLeod report for The Tyee.
In short:
- The audit highlighted that B.C.'s spill response plans are not current, there's a lack of procedures for identifying non-compliance, and First Nations are not consistently informed of spills.
- Nearly $14 million in costs from spills remains unrecovered, mainly from the bankrupt Neucel pulp mill, with the government only recovering a fraction of non-Neucel related costs.
- The Ministry of Environment has accepted nine recommendations from the audit, aiming to improve the province's management of hazardous spills.
Key quote:
"The program is designed for there to be consequences, but those responsible for spills don’t comply with the law."
— Michael Pickup, B.C. auditor general
Why this matters:
This audit reveals significant gaps in British Columbia's preparedness and response to such incidents, underlining the need for urgent reforms to safeguard communities and ecosystems from potential disasters. Effective management of hazardous spills is crucial for protecting public health and the environment.
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