The summary of ”

00:00:00

In this part of the video, Katra Sakowsky, the chair of American Studies at Augsburg University, introduces the keynote speaker, Rebecca Susie, a Regents professor at the University of Arizona specializing in federal Indian law, property, constitutional law, and critical race theory. Despite her virtual attendance due to circumstances, her extensive background and interdisciplinary work on indigenous rights and environmental justice are highlighted. Rebecca’s keynote, titled “Rethinking Reconciliation: Land-Based Citizenship and Indigenous Futures,” addresses the complexities of environmental and climate crises, focusing on the critical role of indigenous sovereignty and justice. She discusses her past work on the sovereignty of federally recognized indigenous nations and their role in environmental justice, particularly in regulatory frameworks and their exclusion from certain legal constructs.

00:10:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker explores the intersection of justice, human rights, and civil rights, particularly as they relate to environmental issues within the context of the Anthropocene. They emphasize the role of environmental citizenship in collaboratively addressing and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis for future generations. The conversation touches on historical global frameworks established since colonization, highlighting how colonial perspectives shaped the understanding of environmental phenomena.

They reflect on the dual-edged nature of modern technology, which offers opportunities to reimagine the future while also posing significant threats, such as those associated with artificial intelligence. The speaker discusses the importance of framing justice issues—including Earth justice, inter-species justice, and social justice—intentionally.

Further, they delve into the concept of sustainability, referencing the global UN definition of sustainable development, which balances environmental sustainability and the right to develop, emphasizing the need to rehabilitate the global South. They contrast this with indigenous sustainability, which they plan to unpack, alongside discussing various legal domains—traditional indigenous law, Western Law, and international human rights law—and their intersections in the justice conversation.

Finally, the speaker invites the audience to imagine a better future, highlighting the significance of a land-based conception of citizenship, particularly from the perspective of the American Southwest. They note the conflicts between indigenous peoples and the national government, emphasizing the indigenous relationship to the land and the responsibilities it entails, which often contrast with a rights-based framework central to tribal governance.

00:20:00

In this part of the video, the speaker elaborates on the concept of environmental citizenship and its practical implications, particularly within the context of indigenous peoples’ political and cultural citizenship in the United States. The discussion is structured into four parts, emphasizing the differences between original instructions for land care at creation and contemporary tribal government choices in legal and political contexts. The speaker contrasts land-based citizenship with environmental citizenship, examining how these ideas apply to indigenous communities and ongoing legal complexities. Key issues include mobilizing global citizens to adopt sustainable practices, and the challenges posed by nation-state sovereignty and economic models dominated by corporations. Furthermore, the speaker underscores the necessity for collaboration between sovereign tribal governments and the U.S. government on land and water use decisions, and the broader implications of international human rights laws, particularly the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The discussion also touches on the potential impacts of climate change on nation-states and the need for new models of citizenship and governance in response to global environmental challenges.

00:30:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the framework for implementing indigenous rights as recommended by the United Nations, which involves a three-part process: recognition, reparative justice, and reconciliation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing indigenous territories, separate from modern national boundaries, and the concept of environmental self-determination for indigenous peoples. They highlight the ethic of Aloha Aina from Hawaii, which signifies a deep relationship between people and the land. The speaker also touches on the perspective of settlers as guests who should respect the indigenous ethic, and discusses the need for reconciliation and healing processes to address historical injustices towards indigenous peoples.

00:40:00

In this part of the video, the speaker addresses the concept of indigenous land rights, contrasting it with the “doctrine of discovery” repudiated by the Pope, which historically denied legal status to indigenous peoples. The speaker emphasizes that indigenous nations have long-standing laws and treaties that guarantee rights such as fishing and gathering wild rice, showcasing a sovereign-to-sovereign relationship. They discuss the complex layers of political citizenship imposed on indigenous peoples, from being wards of the U.S. without civil rights to becoming statutory citizens with ongoing civil rights issues.

The segment also highlights the idea of “land-based citizenship,” stressing the need to integrate cultural aspects into citizenship frameworks, moving beyond the unitary constitutional citizenship that ignores race, gender, and cultural diversity. An example provided is the Lummi Indian tribe’s development of a trans-border indigenous citizenship initiative, addressing environmental challenges and creating intercultural climate adaptation plans with their community and Canadian counterparts.

Finally, the speaker touches on the interface between traditional indigenous law and knowledge with environmental citizenship, noting the moral and conscious relationship indigenous peoples have with nature. This metaphysical view incorporates the animate and interconnected nature of the environment as integral to indigenous knowledge and frameworks for environmental stewardship.

00:50:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the concept of the rights of nature, highlighting efforts in the United States and beyond to recognize natural entities like rivers and wild rice as having legal personhood. They explain examples of indigenous nations using traditional laws to protect these natural resources. The speaker also addresses the historical and ongoing environmental impacts of mining, particularly uranium and coal, on indigenous lands such as the Navajo Nation. They stress the severe drought in the American Southwest, which has made water rights and access a pressing issue, significantly affecting indigenous communities and their agricultural practices.

01:00:00

In this part of the video, the speaker addresses the issue of indigenous sustainability and sacred places, particularly focusing on Oak Flat in Arizona. This site, sacred to the Apache tribe, was transferred to a mining company in 2014 for copper extraction, threatening to destroy the site and disrupt tribal ceremonies vital to Apache women’s traditions. The speaker criticizes the separation of land and water rights in current legal systems, especially in Arizona, where groundwater can be depleted without regard for neighboring lands. They propose a new land-based citizenship that integrates environmental wellness, drawing on indigenous principles that recognize the interdependence of land, water, and all species. The speaker calls for new values and justice systems that ensure sustainable living environments.

01:10:00

In this part of the video, the discussion revolves around land-based citizenship and the legal frameworks concerning land and water, particularly in the context of indigenous rights and the nation-state. A key concern raised is the valuation of land under the U.S. nation-state, including property rights and the implications for political efforts. The discourse then shifts to the significance of water, highlighting the Dakota water protectors’ movement against oil pipelines, emphasizing how water is as crucial as land in the indigenous cultural and legal imaginary. There is a focus on how legal ownership concepts enable environmental harm, illustrated by the example of oil pipelines potentially poisoning water sources like those at Standing Rock. The segment ends with an exploration of indigenous relationality with nature, suggesting that bodies of water and other natural features are viewed as relatives, integral to the collective and relational aspects of indigenous societies.

01:20:00

In this segment, the speaker discusses the concept of relationality in indigenous economics, contrasting it with traditional market-based economics that focus on resource extraction. They highlight Dr. Ron Trosper’s work on indigenous economics, which is rooted in sustainable and respectful engagement with nature. The discussion also touches on the potential complexities of granting rights to nature, as evidenced by a case in India where a river was held accountable for damage caused by flooding.

The conversation moves on to the need for an international legal framework to address climate-induced migration. The speaker expresses concern about the lack of a recognized definition for climate refugees and critiques the current system that often fails stateless individuals.

Further, the speaker emphasizes the value of indigenous law in addressing modern environmental issues, providing examples where indigenous communities have successfully integrated traditional practices into contemporary legal and environmental management frameworks, such as water conservation efforts by the Gila River Indian Community.

Lastly, the speaker reflects on the challenges posed by international economics and the competition for resources, which often leads to the exploitation of land and labor, adversely affecting indigenous populations and their sustainable practices.

01:30:00

In this segment of the video, the discussion centers on the disparities between different groups in terms of access to agricultural technology and resources, highlighting how African countries struggle to compete with the USA and European nations. The speaker addresses the complexities of balancing local and indigenous community needs against global economic pressures, suggesting a shift in focus towards local knowledge and place-based relationships for survival, especially considering climate changes and economic uncertainties. Additionally, the conversation touches on reparative justice for indigenous peoples, emphasizing the importance of addressing historical injustices like the missing and murdered indigenous women and boarding school abuses, and the connection between land healing and community healing.