About the
Indigenous Environmental Network
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There are continued challenges in the 21st
century to build and maintain a network of local, national and
international partners to provide environmental and economic justice and
to support sustainable development within Indigenous Peoples'
communities.
Indigenous
Peoples are confronting many challenges. Changes in the environment,
globalization and rapid economic development threaten our communities on
both a local and global level. The survival of Indigenous culture,
language and community continues to be affected by a modern industrialized
world that lacks respect for the sacredness of Mother Earth. As
"caretakers" of Mother Earth, it is our historic repsonsibility
to protect the natural environment, to generate awarness of traditional
ecological knowledge and promote models for sustainable community
development.
Established in
1990, IEN was formed by community-based Indigenous Peoles,
including youth and elders, to address environmental and economic justice
issues in North America. IEN is an Indigenous-based, non-profit, and
non-governmental organization working on environmental protection,
environmental health, conservation of natural resources, protection of
sacred areas and promoting sustainable development within Indigenous
territories.
Our tools inlcude public education, conducting workshops, local
organizing partnerships, network building and policy development with the
following program and project focus.
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Toxics and Environmental Health
A program to educate and impact policy changes on environmental
health impacts of bioaccumulative toxics on Indigenous peoples and
ecosystems and strengthening the capacity of local communities to protect
their health.
Mining
A program to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous communities to
strategically address environmental justice and treaty rights issues as a
result of mining development.
Native
Energy
A program to educate and
to strengthen the capacity of local tribal communities to protect their
ecosystems from unsustainable energy policies and energy development (oil
and gas, coal bed methane, coal mining and coal-fired power plants,
nuclear power, large hydro dams, large geo-thermal). Through partnerships
this program will advocate for clean renewable energy and promote tribes
to be producers of clean renewable energy.
Climate Justice
An education and organizing campaign addressing the human rights
impact that global warming, climate change and weather changes have on
Indigenous Peoples, from the South to the North, including the Arctic
regions.
Water is Life
A program that networks with Indigenous peoples, non-Indigenous
water activists and non-governmental organizations to protect the
sacredness of water. Of major concern are the depletion of surface and
ground waters, large dams, and commodification and privatization of
water.
Globalization, Trade and
Environment
A program that allows IEN
and local Indigenous communities to participate in international, regional
and national meetings related to issues of globalization, trade,
environment and sustainable development. This includes regional, national
and international Social Forums, World Trade Organization Ministerial
meetings and meetings on Free and Fair Trade.
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Programs and
Projects - Continued
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Indigenous Sustainable Communities
Initiative
This program provides
opportunties for Indigenous peoples to have dialogue on issues of trade,
agriculture, food security, sustainable development, jobs, safe housing,
transportation, protection of endangered species, ethics surrounding
genetically modified organisms or non-Indigenous species, environmental
issues, ecological footprints and application of language and Indigenous
traditional knowledge.
Youth
Program and Native Youth Leadership Development Project
A program that provides a path to bring youth
and young adults into the work of environmental and economic justice. This
program involves youth organizationtional capacity building, leadership
training, curriculum development and communications
networking.
Just Transition
Working with the Just Tranistion Alliance, a
coalition of labor, economic and environmental justice groups and
Indigenous peoples working for the just transition of communites and
workers from unsafe workplaces and environments to healthy, viable
communities with a sustainable economy.
Honor the Earth
IEN and the Indigenous Women's Network are
sponsoring organizations of this national foundation and advocacy
organization that supports front line Native environmental justice work,
including a Native wind/solar campaign. Honor the Earth uses music, the
media and the arts to accoumplis this mission.
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Goals
- Educate and empower Indigenous People to address and develop
strategies for the protection of our environment, our health, and all life
forms - the Circle of Life.
- Re-affirm our traditional knowledgeand
respect of natural laws.
- Recognize, support, and promote
environmentally sound lifestyles, economic livelihoods, and build healthy
sustaining Indigenous communities.
- To influence policies that
affect Indigenous Peoples on a local, tribal, state, regional, national,
and international level.
- Include youth and elders in all levels of
our work.
- Protect our human rights to practice our cultural and
spiritual beliefs.
Watch Video:
Tom Goldtooth - First 100 Days as Sec.of
Interior
For
More Information:
Indigenous Environmental
Network
P.O. Box 485
Bemidju, MN 56619
Tel: +1
281.751.4967
Fax: +1 281.751.0561
Native Youth Program:
user@example.com
Native Energy Program:
user@example.com
Toxics and Environmental Health:
user@example.com
Mining Program:
user@example.com
Water Campaign:
user@example.com
Development and Grants:
user@example.com
Executive Director:
user@example.com
Honor the Earth:
user@example.com
Donations are welcomed and tax
deductible, and can be made online at www.ienearth.org or mailed to the
above address.
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