Indigenous Environmental Network

Indigenous Environmental Network is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by Tom Goldtooth, Dallas Goldtooth, and other indigenous leaders, with the goal of protecting the environment and promoting environmental justice, in collaboration with organizations such as the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The network is composed of indigenous peoples from North America, South America, Australia, and other regions, working together to address environmental issues affecting their communities, such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution, with support from United Nations Environment Programme, World Wildlife Fund, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The organization has worked with notable figures like Winona LaDuke, Vandana Shiva, and Naomi Klein to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable development, in line with the principles of the Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol. The network has also partnered with academic institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford to conduct research and develop solutions to environmental problems.

● Introduction

The Indigenous Environmental Network operates at the intersection of environmentalism and indigenous rights, recognizing the intricate relationship between the natural world and the cultures and traditions of indigenous peoples, as acknowledged by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The organization draws on the knowledge and experiences of its members, who come from diverse backgrounds, including the Navajo Nation, Lakota Nation, Inuit, and Maori, to inform its work and develop effective strategies for addressing environmental challenges, in collaboration with organizations like the Amazon Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Bank. By working together with other environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Friends of the Earth, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, the network aims to promote a more just and sustainable world, as envisioned by the Brundtland Commission and the Rio Declaration. The organization's work is also informed by the principles of ecological justice, environmental justice, and human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

● History

The Indigenous Environmental Network was founded in 1990, in response to the growing concern about environmental issues affecting indigenous communities, such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill and the Chernobyl disaster, which highlighted the need for collective action and international cooperation, as recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme and the International Atomic Energy Agency. The organization's early work focused on addressing the impacts of colonization, imperialism, and capitalism on indigenous environments and cultures, with support from organizations like the American Indian Movement, the National Congress of American Indians, and the International Indian Treaty Council. The network has since expanded its scope to address a wide range of environmental issues, including climate change, deforestation, and water pollution, in collaboration with organizations like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the World Health Organization. Throughout its history, the organization has worked with notable figures like Rigoberta Menchú, Wangari Maathai, and Al Gore to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable development, in line with the principles of the Earth Charter and the Millennium Development Goals.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Indigenous Environmental Network's mission is to protect the environment and promote environmental justice, with a focus on the rights and interests of indigenous peoples, as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organization. The organization's objectives include promoting sustainable development, protecting indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, and supporting the self-determination of indigenous peoples, in collaboration with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The network also seeks to address the root causes of environmental degradation, including colonization, imperialism, and capitalism, and to promote alternative models of development that prioritize social and environmental justice, as envisioned by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America and the Social Forum. The organization's work is guided by the principles of ecological justice, environmental justice, and human rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

● Activism_and_Campaigns

The Indigenous Environmental Network has been involved in a wide range of activism and campaigns, including efforts to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and other fossil fuel infrastructure projects, in collaboration with organizations like the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. The organization has also worked to promote renewable energy, protect indigenous lands and waters, and support the rights of indigenous peoples to free, prior, and informed consent, as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organization. The network has partnered with other environmental organizations, such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Friends of the Earth, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, to develop and implement effective strategies for addressing environmental challenges, in line with the principles of the Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol. The organization's activism and campaigns have been supported by notable figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Susan Sarandon, who have helped to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable development.

● Notable_Members_and_Partnerships

The Indigenous Environmental Network has a diverse membership, including indigenous peoples from North America, South America, Australia, and other regions, who work together to address environmental issues affecting their communities, with support from organizations like the Amazon Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, and the World Bank. The organization has partnered with other environmental organizations, such as the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, to develop and implement effective strategies for addressing environmental challenges, in line with the principles of the Earth Charter and the Millennium Development Goals. The network has also worked with academic institutions like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Oxford to conduct research and develop solutions to environmental problems, with support from organizations like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the European Union. Notable members and partners of the organization include Winona LaDuke, Vandana Shiva, and Naomi Klein, who have helped to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable development.

● Impact_and_Achievements

The Indigenous Environmental Network has had a significant impact on environmental policy and practice, both domestically and internationally, with its work recognized by organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Wildlife Fund, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The organization's efforts to promote environmental justice and protect indigenous rights have helped to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage, as recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the International Labor Organization. The network's work has also contributed to the development of alternative models of development that prioritize social and environmental justice, as envisioned by the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America and the Social Forum. The organization's impact and achievements have been recognized by notable figures like Rigoberta Menchú, Wangari Maathai, and Al Gore, who have helped to promote the organization's work and support its mission, in line with the principles of the Earth Summit and the Kyoto Protocol. The Indigenous Environmental Network continues to play a critical role in promoting environmental justice and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, with its work supported by organizations like the Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Category:Environmental organizations