Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence: An Indigenous Environmental Network and Earth Law Center Collaboration

Authors: Kelsey Leonard, Michael Lane, Tom Goldtooth, and Grant Wilson

Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and Earth Law Center (ELC), two organizations deeply committed to protecting the planet and upholding the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples, are collaboratively developing a long-term project on Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence. The collaboration seeks to explore the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge-based legal frameworks and the Rights of Mother Earth (or “Rights of Nature”), with a focus on legal applications by Indigenous Peoples and Nations.

At the core of this collaboration is a shared commitment to Earth-centered legal and cultural frameworks. Its focus is on jurisprudence based on the Inherent Relationships between Indigenous Peoples and their connected lands and waters, as well as other non-rights-based inherent responsibility pathways found in customary law and Traditional Indigenous Knowledge. This collaboration is rooted in Indigenous engagement and outreach, with the goal of strengthening and maintaining Indigenous teachings and natural laws, as well as enhancing their status in non-Indigenous legal systems.

Through this collaboration, IEN and ELC analyze and apply these concepts, with an orientation toward legal applications by Indigenous Nations, communities and organizations. Our joint efforts will create an opportunity to deepen the concept of Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence and develop research and scholarship regarding its implementation. In addition to regular ongoing meetings between leadership and staff members of our organizations, this work has involved hosting Work Sessions on Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence from 2023 to the present.  These have taken place in Durango CO, Bemidji MN, Toronto ON, Seattle WA, Honolulu HI, Redding CA, Oakland CA, Okemah OK, and Big Mountain, Diné Nation. 

Our collaboration focuses on several areas that are critical to achieving our shared goals. First, we are working together to protect the land, water, air, biological diversity, and ecosystems that sustain life on this planet. This includes developing resources and legal models to expand legal theory on Earth-based Jurisprudence and Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence, as a bundle.  A key aspect of this work is engaging in outreach and offering legal drafting support to interested Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations in order to inform them about the strengths, shortcomings, and nuances of different legal strategies. Finally, we are examining wise practices for how Indigenous rights and responsibility-based frameworks can co-exist with non-Indigenous legal systems, and how non-Indigenous governments can equitably support these pathways. By working together on these critical issues, we believe that we can create a more just and sustainable world for all.

About Indigenous Environmental Network, Earth Law Center, and Our Collaboration

Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) is an alliance of Indigenous Peoples who are committed to protecting the sacredness of Mother Earth and Father Sky from contamination and exploitation by strengthening, maintaining, and respecting Indigenous Original Instructions, teachings, and natural laws. The Indigenous-based organization seeks to promote environmental justice, climate justice, and the inherent rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples.

IEN has played a pivotal role in advocating for the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights and responsibilities, particularly in relation to lands, water, and air. The organization has achieved numerous accomplishments, including advocating for Indigenous-led renewable energy projects, fighting against the Keystone XL pipeline, and supporting the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. IEN’s work is critical in a world where Indigenous Peoples’ rights and responsibilities are often ignored or violated, and Mother Earth faces environmental challenges such as climate change and pollution. 

Earth Law Center (ELC) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to transform the law to recognize, honor, and protect Nature’s inherent rights to exist, thrive, and evolve. ELC seeks to create a world where the law supports the flourishing of all beings, human and non-human alike. ELC has been at the forefront of the Rights of Nature movement, advocating for legal recognition of the rights of ecosystems and the natural world. The organization has achieved many notable accomplishments, including working with Indigenous communities and organizations to develop and implement Earth-centered legal frameworks. ELC’s work is invaluable in a world where the health of our planet and its ecosystems is under threat from climate change, pollution, and other environmental challenges. 

Our collaboration is imperative for several reasons. Firstly, our organizations share the common goal of protecting the environment and advancing the inherent rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples. Working together, we can leverage our shared values to create real and lasting change.

Secondly, our organizations bring complementary strengths and expertise to the table. While Earth Law Center has expertise in Earth-centered legal frameworks, Indigenous Environmental Network has an in-depth understanding of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge-based legal frameworks and advocacy. By working together, we can enhance each other’s work and promote greater understanding of legal frameworks that promote Earth-based legal paradigms. Finally, this collaboration has the potential to increase our impact and reach by fostering dialogue and alliances among different responsibility-based and rights-based movements. This will create opportunities to advance common goals and promote greater understanding and respect for the rights of Nature and Indigenous Peoples.

We are looking for other bold thinkers to join the Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence (IRJ) Collective. To learn more and sign-up please visit: https://forms.gle/UrMbP83dsuTiVJJh6