As we know, a large majority of the globe is made up of countries that have claimed and stolen land from Native communities. Colonization and imperialism have obliterated the lives of Indigenous peoples across the globe, and along with countless human rights atrocities, have caused heinous destruction of sacred lands, waters, and wildlife.
Indigenous communities have long been guardians of the planet, fighting for rightful land ownership, tending to the earth through ancient knowledge and spiritual practices, and working collaboratively to find a peaceful way forward. As we continue to experience a pivotal moment in the environmental justice movement, Indigenous knowledge and resistance are of utmost importance.
“For our people, protecting the environment surpasses the issue of preserving lands, livelihoods, wildlife, and water,” writer Kaitlin Grable shares in an essay…