IEN is an alliance of Indigenous Peoples whose Shared Mission is to Protect the Sacredness of Earth Mother from contamination & exploitation by Respecting and Adhering to Indigenous Knowledge and Natural Law
When the IEN Media van is not on location we broadcast a variety of Indigenous focused and progressive radio programming 24/7. Please tune in and share with your family, friends and social networks.
We will NOT TRADE Our Future!
Confused or not sure what carbon offsets/tax/markets are? Wondering what impact they are having on Indigenous and Front Line communities? Click the image to find a series of briefing papers that explain everything from where the money comes from to the destruction of forests in the name of saving them.
The Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) and Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN), along with other US-based members of the social, environmental and climate justice communities and global alliances have platforms calling for leaving 80% of the current totality of fossil fuel reserves under the ground and ocean in order to avoid global temperatures rising to no more than 1.5°C.
How will this transition away from fossil fuel extraction be organized within our respective communities?
What will the consequences be for people, our communities, humanity, ecosystems, habitat and all life?
Issues of climate and environmental injustice and equity cannot be avoided if such questions are to be addressed.
Click here to Read / Download this report.
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Grassroots Global Justice
It Takes Roots
“As sovereign Nations, treaty and title holders, I refuse to allow Canada to continue on with its genocidal laws and polices that are deliberately created to destroy our Nations and peoples.”
https://t.co/OKIFKzNf6B
Huge news!
“Western scientific evidence is now saying what our Indigenous peoples have been expressing for a long time: Life as we know it is in danger,” said Tom Goldtooth, ED of the Indigenous Environmental Network
via @truthout
https://t.co/7WJpYIzzEA
BREAKING: Oregon denies Clean Water act permit for Jordan Cove LNG project, which cannot be built without it.
Communities in Southern Otegon and beyond are celebrating the decision as a win for public safety, health, water quality, and the climate.
https://t.co/hi8w6N5FM7
IEN Campaign Websites – Click and Visit:
~HEADLINES~
~Campaign Updates~
~PRESS RELEASES~
Greater Chaco Region Wins Reprieve From Fracking
Denver—A federal appeals court today held that the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) illegally approved oil and gas drilling and fracking in the Greater Chaco region of New Mexico, a landscape sacred to Tribes throughout the American Southwest and home to the Navajo Nation.“We always knew BLM wasn’t doing their job – we watch their violations and non-compliance every day,” said Kendra Pinto of Counselor Chapter House, a member of Diné Citizens Against Ruining Our Environment. “To finally be vindicated by a higher court is the necessary step forward we need. Now we must continue to hold BLM accountable.”With iconic Chaco Canyon and Chaco Culture National Historical Park at its core, the Greater Chaco landscape is where the Ancestral Puebloan peoples thrived over a thousand years ago.Known for its ruins and other cultural sites, the region remains important and sacred to Tribes throughout the American Southwest, including the Hopi and Dine, or Navajo people who currently reside in the region, and 20 Pueblo nations of New Mexico and Texas, the modern-day descendants of the Ancestral Puebloan people.
The Latest Keystone XL Victory!
TC Energy (Formally TransCanada) announced at a shareholders meeting on May 3, 2019, that they will be unable to begin construction on the Keystone XL Pipeline in 2019. The company cited “ongoing legal challenges” as athe reason for losing the 2019 construction season.
The Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is one of the organizations that have an active lawsuit against the President of the United States for an illegal approval of the Keystone XL construction. IEN along with The North Coast Rivers Alliance (NCRA) had won a previous lawsuit for the federal approval of the tar sands project. On April 23, 2019, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Fort Belknap Indian Nations, represented by The Native American Rights Fund, filed an amended complaint against TransCanada and President Trump over the handling of the Keystone XL Pipeline citing the company did not follow tribal law among other concerns. Of Further note, TC Energy has stated that although they will not be doing construction in 2019, they will be pursuing pre-construction activities along the route.
Join Us for the Frontline Oil & Gas Conference May 16-18 2019
I know you care about the impacts of oil and gas pollution on our health and environment, so I wanted to make sure you knew about the upcoming conference in Ponca City, Oklahoma, May 16-18: the Frontline Oil and Gas conference.
The conference will bring together hundreds of activists and impacted community members leading the fight against destructive oil and gas operations. This conference is being hosted by the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma, and coordinated by a number of partner organizations. We hope to see you there! We are excited to learn about what other communities are doing and how we can work together to collectively say ‘no’ to new facilities and reduce the harm for those already living with oil and gas in their backyard. The conference has an emphasis on innovative strategies led by indigenous communities, people of color and grassroots activists. There will be four learning tracks: Indigenous, Rights of Nature, Skills, and Technical Trainings.
Global Indigenous Women’s Delegation Visits North Dakota
Fort Berthold, ND – April 17, 2019 – A delegation of Indigenous women climate defenders from Colombia, Guatemala, Israel, Kenya, Nepal and Nicaragua arrived today in North Dakota to visit the Fort Berthold Reservation where they will meet with local leaders who are confronting the devastating impact of oil and gas mega-projects on their communities, particularly on Indigenous women and girls.
The delegation, organized by MADRE and the Indigenous Environmental Network, is an opportunity for Indigenous women leaders challenging extractive industries and resource exploitation in their own communities around the world to learn from local leaders working on the Fort Berthold Reservation—home to the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations. Here, they will share stories and discuss strategies for opposing the devastation and displacement wrought by extractive industries worldwide.
IEN Responds to the Second Trump Approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline
“This is clearly an attack on environmental law procedure and violates the right to free, prior, and informed consent from the tribal nations that call the “Medicine line” (the US-Canadian border) traditional and ancestral home territory. Two federal courts have already agreed with us, that any action by the president to ram this dirty tar sands pipeline thru is premature and unlawful. In defense of the sacred and the protection of Indigenous peoples, we will continue to fight this pipeline, even if that means further legal action against the office of the President of the United States.”
BANKING ON CLIMATE CHANGE: FOSSIL FUEL REPORT CARD 2019
Statement by IEN Executive Director, Tom Goldtooth:
“These banks are funding a future that will cost the lives of the next seven generations of life and beyond. Indigenous knowledge and western science both clearly demand that we must rapidly divest from fossil fuels in order to avoid complete climate disaster. Any financial institution that cannot read the writing on the wall should be stripped of its social license to operate and be held accountable for their investments because those investments are threatening our very lives.”
Open letter by the Swift Foundation rejects REDD and carbon trading as false solutions to climate change
On 11 September 2018, shortly before the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, 17 foundations signed on to a “Joint Statement Supporting Forests, Rights, and Lands for Climate”.
The foundations promised that by the end of 2022, they would provide at least US$459 million in support of land-based solutions to climate change.
The Swift Foundation, one of the foundations that signed on to the statement, issued an open letter yesterday, clarifying its interpretation and commitment to the statement. In the open letter, the Swift Foundation explicitly rejects REDD, and carbon trading schemes of any kind, as false solutions.
Bayou Bridge Pipeline Construction Delayed Indefinitely: Energy Transfer Lied to Shareholders, According to Louisiana Residents
March 5, 2019 (RAYNE, LOUISIANA) – Energy Transfer Partners may have lied to its shareholders when it told investors the Bayou Bridge pipeline will be fully functional this month.
According to reports from Louisiana residents who frequent the Atchafalaya Basin, work on the project – which was first projected to be complete in 2017 – has been halted indefinitely due to high water levels.
Water protectors from L’eau Est La Vie Camp say Energy Transfer was aware of the delays prior to an investors’ earnings call held on Feb. 20.
“Now looking at Bayou Bridge, we are nearing completion of construction on the 24-inch segment from Lake Charles to St. James, and expect commercial operations to begin in March,” said Energy Transfer’s chief financial officer Tom Long.
With Heavy Hearts We Mourn the Loss of Beloved Grandmother Josephine Mandamin
It is with a sense of great loss that we share the loss of our beloved elder, grandmother, and teacher Josephine Mandamin. Please read some of her life of service to the people, watch and listen to her words in videos, and the many tributes shared by all who loved, respected and will clearly miss the absence of Grandmother Josephine by scrolling down this page. Her teachings and stellar example of what it is to truly care for Mother Earth and all her children -as she showed us, with her example, how to walk our talk and leave a better place for the Seven Generations to follow.
Grandmother Josephine above at the 16th Indigenous Environmental Network’s Protecting Mother Earth Gathering on Ft. Berthold, ND photo and article below: “Meet Josephine Mandamin…” below, by Ayse Gursoz
TALKING POINTS ON THE AOC-MARKEY GREEN NEW DEAL (GND) RESOLUTION
The Indigenous Environmental Network applauds the Green New Deal resolution for its vision, intention, and scope. With this resolution, Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey have begun a critical process to change the national conversation in regards to addressing the climate crisis at hand. From sea level rise to loss of land to food insecurities, Indigenous frontline communities and Tribal nations are already experiencing the direct impacts of climate change, and we are encouraged to see these congressional leaders take charge to help Indigenous communities and Tribal nations protect their homelands, rights, sacred sites, waters, air, and bodies from further destruction.
However, while we are grateful to see this support by the Representative and Senator, we remain concerned that unless some changes are made to the resolution, the Green New Deal will leave incentives by industries and governments to continue causing harm to Indigenous communities. Furthermore, as our communities who live on the frontline of the climate crisis have been saying for generations, the most impactful and direct way to address the problem is to keep fossil fuels in the ground. We can no longer leave any options for the fossil fuel industry to determine the economic and energy future of this country. And until the Green New Deal can be explicit in this demand as well as closing the loop on harmful incentives, we cannot fully endorsee the resolution. We remain supportive of Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey’s aspirations and hope to be constructive partners in actualizing the goal of generating radical change in the fight to protect the sacredness of Mother Earth.
IEN Job Openings: Comunications Coordinator & Philanthropic Relations Manager
IEN is now taking applications for two key staff positions within our organization; Communications Coordinator and a Philanthropic Relations Manager. You will find both job descriptions, requirements, deadlines, and email for submitting resumes at the link.
Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the Communications Coordinator will set and guide the strategy for all communications, website, and public relations messages to consistently articulate the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) mission. The Communications Coordinator will ensure that IEN is viewed as a source, disseminator, and conduit of accountable information within the climate justice and Indigenous Rights movements. They will work closely with a senior peer group within the organization as the communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives and campaigns. They will work with IEN base member groups as a communications partner to further their campaigns and strategic messages. They will also play key role in promoting IEN by creating informative content, press releases, and media opportunities to share the organization’s message, programs and campaigns.
Indigenous Veteran Harassed By High School Students Wearing ‘Trump’ Hats Following Indigenous Peoples March, IEN responds
Bemidji, MN – The Indigenous Environmental Network unequivocally condemns the actions of Covington Catholic High School students who harassed Umoⁿhoⁿ veteran Nathan Phillips following the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington DC.
Nathan Phillips is a Vietnam veteran, a Water Protector and a grassroots voice that has worked with the Indigenous Environmental Network for many years standing against the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines. He stood on the frontlines then and continues to stand up against hatred and ignorance now, preaching love, tolerance, and fortitude. In response to the disgusting behavior of the high school students, Mr. Phillip chose to demonstrate an incredible act of prayerful resistance and we commend him for this.
Drilling Towards Disaster: Why U.S. Oil and Gas Expansion Is Incompatible with Climate Limits
Drilling-Towards-Disaster-Web-v2 
A new study released by Oil Change International, in partnership with 14 organizations from around the world, scientifically grounds the growing movement to keep carbon in the ground by revealing the need to stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure and industry expansion. It focuses on the potential carbon emissions from developed reserves – where the wells are already drilled, the pits dug, and the pipelines, processing facilities, railways, and export terminals constructed.
350.org, Amazon Watch, BOLD Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthworks, Food & Water Watch, Friends of the Earth U.S., Greenpeace USA, Hip Hop Caucus, Indigenous Environmental Network, Labor Network for Sustainability, Oil Change USA, Our Revolution, People’s Action, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Working Families Party
The Shoshone Nation makes submission to the United Nations
The Western Shoshone Nation made a submission to the UN Human Rights Committee for the 2020 Periodic Review of the USA. The submission updates the UN body on the status of USA human rights and provides information of ongoing and current treatment of the Shoshone people under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
626 Groups Urge Congress to Phase Out Fossil Fuels, Build Green Economy
WASHINGTON— More than 600 environmental groups today called on the U.S. House of Representatives to pursue ambitious climate legislation that matches the scale and urgency of the climate crisis.
The groups’ letter calls for a thoughtful phaseout of fossil fuel production, a transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, complete decarbonization of the transportation system, use of the Clean Air Act to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, a just transition to a new green economy and the adherence to treaties upholding Indigenous rights when pursuing these actions.
“To effectively tackle climate change, policymakers need to commit to transforming the global economy to serve the interests of people and planet, and not the profits of the once percent,” said Angela Adrar, executive director of Climate Justice Alliance. “Such a new, green economy needs to be guided by the leadership and knowledge of those most burdened by pollution, poverty and other forms of institutional violence waged by the corporations causing this global ecological crisis.”
Remembering and Honoring Jackie Warledo
Family, Friends, the Seminole Nation, Oklahoma community members and the Indigenous Movement around the world are mourning the passing of Jacquelynn “Jackie” Warledo, Seminole Nation Tribal Citizen of the Wind Clan. Jackie was a loving and beloved Mother and Grandmother, a loyal friend and a tireless, fearless Warrior for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. She was born on January 29, 1956 and passed away in Oklahoma City after a sudden illness on January 5th, 2019.
At the time of her passing, Jackie was the Finance Coordinator for the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), an Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organization in Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. She served as a member of IITC’s Board of Directors and was Board Treasurer from 2001 to 2006. She served as an IITC delegate to many international gatherings, including the UN Commission on Human Rights.
Jackie was an Indigenous Environmental campaigner addressing toxic production for many years and, and worked with many Indigenous organizations, Tribal Nations and environmental organizations, as well as at the United Nations in negotiations for the Stockholm Convention, a global treaty addressing Persistent Organic Pollutants that went into force in 2004.
Indigenous Peoples in the International Fight to Halt Climate Change
Indigenous Peoples from around the world, including Tribal Nations and organizations whose traditional lands are within the current political boundaries of United States participated. Except for a few Indigenous representatives that were credentialed by States, most were designated as “observers” in this UN process which is led and controlled by the “State Parties”, the 195 countries that signed on to the Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015 at COP 21. Despite this power imbalance within the UNFCCC (and, by and large, the entire UN system), the over 100 Indigenous delegates representing all regions of the world stood united to insist on formal participation in this process that impacts us so directly and to ensure that our rights and traditional knowledge are respected in national and global efforts to combat climate change.
End of 2018 Message from Kandi White, IEN Native Climate and Energy Campaign Coordinator
It's been a busy and fulfilling year within the Native Energy and Climate Campaign and the Just Transition and Keep It In the Ground work within. Let's take a look back at 2018 to some of our highlights! In January 2018 members from the SEED Indigenous Youth Climate...
IEN Year In Review
End of the Year Greetings to all who are reading this! We’re sending this on the last day of 2018 to share with you an overview of highlights and perspective from the actions and events we experienced in these last 12 months. We attempted to make this short but there...
Promise to Protect – KXL Pledge
Join the Promise to Protect and commit to traveling to the pipeline route to engage in peaceful, creative resistance to Keystone XL when the call is put out by frontline communities to help stop this Black Snake. We will make a series of stands along the route – nonviolent but resolute displays of our continued opposition to a project that endangers us all. Join native and non-native communities in the Promise to Protect the land, water, and climate.
Green New Deal Must Be Rooted in a Just Transition
The GND is the first time in many years that a proposal of this type has been presented by a number of members of a major U.S. political party. It proposes to tackle climate change and inequality simultaneously, while revolutionizing conditions for workers. It is a much needed aggressive national pivot away from climate denialism to climate action with large scale federal legislative and budgetary implications.
Past Campaigns & Direct Actions
DIVEST – Pipelines ~~ PCM- 2017~~Crisis In Ecuador
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