Protecting Mother Earth: A Year of Advocacy, Education, and Resistance

Indigenous Environmental Network’s 2024 Highlights and Achievements

As winter blankets the land, we are reminded of the teachings that this season brings: rest, renewal, and preparation for what lies ahead. For Indigenous Peoples, this is a time to honor our ancestors, who lived in harmony with Mother Earth and all living beings, and to carry their wisdom into an uncertain future.

This year, as the political tides shift and an incoming Trump presidency threatens the hard-won gains of Indigenous sovereignty, environmental protections, and human rights, we stand steadfast in our commitment to defend our people, lands, and ways of life.

Despite these challenges, the fire of Indigenous resilience burns brightly. In 2024, we celebrated monumental achievements that demonstrate the power of our collective leadership and advocacy. From the frontlines to UN negotiations, we continue to show that Indigenous leadership and solutions are essential to addressing the climate crisis and restoring balance to our Natural World. As we look to the future, we call on our allies and supporters to deepen their investment in Indigenous sovereignty. Join us in this shared fight to defend Mother Earth, protect the Sacred, resist false solutions, and renew our responsibility to ensure a healthy planet for the next seven generations.

This moment in time is one of both reckoning and opportunity. Though the challenges we face may feel overwhelming, we are bolstered by the strength of our accomplishments this year. Let us honor the spirit of the season by reflecting on what we’ve achieved, acknowledging the road ahead, and recommitting ourselves to the fight for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and environmental justice.

Climate Justice

In 2024, the Climate Justice Program (CJP) advanced Indigenous-led advocacy to combat climate and environmental injustices, exposing false solutions and empowering Indigenous communities to lead transformative change. Through policy interventions, front-line support, research, and education, the program defended the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Mother Earth while amplifying Indigenous leadership on national and global platforms

National and International Advocacy

Amplified Indigenous voices and raised critical concerns about Article 6 carbon markets and inadequate frameworks for just climate solutions, underscoring the ongoing need for resistance to harmful policies at UNFCCC COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Supported the Standing Rock Youth Council in impactful interventions against the Dakota Access Pipeline at UNPFII.
Advocated for moratoriums on harmful practices (carbon offsets, geoengineering, biodiversity credit schemes) and exposed flaws in Article 6 carbon markets.
Strengthened international solidarity through forums in Iceland, Colombia, and Germany, fostering resistance to extractive industries and deep-sea mining while promoting Indigenous-led climate action.
Addressed systemic inequities in U.S. climate policy frameworks to ensure Indigenous voices remained central.

Education, Research, and Capacity-Building

Delivered 25 carbon market training sessions via the Ring of Fire Cohort initiative across North America and globally, empowering communities to resist market-based false solutions.
Published and distributed resources like Hoodwinked in the Hothouse to expose the dangers of market-driven climate policies.
Partnered with global allies to host webinars, workshops, and in-person gatherings, equipping grassroots advocates with tools to promote equitable climate solutions.
Research efforts supported frontline tribal members by critiquing harmful projects like carbon capture and storage and synthetic biology, equipping them with resources for community-led resistance.

Future Plans

Plans to expand carbon market education, foster new alliances, and ensure strong representation at COP30 in Brazil.
Continued emphasis on Indigenous Just Transition initiatives to advance climate solutions rooted in Indigenous sovereignty.

The Climate Justice Program bolstered Indigenous resistance against harmful policies and false climate solutions by blending research, advocacy, and capacity-building while promoting an Indigenous Just Transition.

Images: Top: Left to Right: Mazley Yellow Hammer, Maya Runnels, Tamra Gilbertson, Morgan BringsPlenty, Tom BK Goldtooth, Claire Charlo, Panganga Pungowiyi, AnnaLee Yellow Hammer, Alberto Saldamando, Waniya Locke, Memphis Yellow Hammer. UNPFII, New York City. April 2024. Bottom: Action Against False Solutions. UNFCCC Bonn, Germany. June 2024

Keep It In The Ground

The Keep It In The Ground (KIITG) campaign energized communities in 2024 by building visibility and creating spaces for connection and advocacy. KIITG actively engaged with diverse movements, including racial, gender, labor, and immigrant rights organizations, highlighting the interconnected nature of Indigenous resistance.

Wellness and Leadership: Hosted the first-ever KIITG Wellness Retreat, bringing together 11 community leaders to focus on healing, resilience, and strategic planning. Organized eight panels at the Protecting Mother Earth Gathering, where leaders from across Indian Country shared their expertise on resisting fossil fuel projects and promoting Indigenous-led transitions.
Activism and Collaboration: KIITG participated in critical events, including the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City and the Western Mining Action Network Biennial Conference, building alliances and engaging communities on the frontlines of extraction. Monthly community calls fostered ongoing dialogue and solidarity, while youth engagement and teach-ins prepared future leaders to take on the fight against fossil fuels. Collaborative efforts included presenting at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Conference, where KIITG highlighted its fights against extractive industries as examples of Indigenous Just Transition principles in action.
Future Plans: Prepare for regional gatherings, and additional wellness retreats for leaders in the field, and bring a strong presence to UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil in 2025.

With a continued focus on uplifting Indigenous leadership and Traditional Knowledge systems, the KIITG campaign is building a foundation for long-term resistance and solidarity across movements.

Image – top: Protecting Mother Earth Youth Panel.

Indigenous Just Transition

Through strategic planning and community engagement, the Indigenous Just Transition (IJT) program advanced its efforts to center Indigenous values in sustainable economic systems throughout 2024.

Strategic Planning: Developed a comprehensive three-year work plan and advanced the IJT Curriculum during staff and advisory board meetings in Phoenix, AZ.
National Engagement: Participated in the Alaska Just Transition Summit, where they presented on equity and justice work, and the Energy Democracy Project Strategic Planning Meeting in Santa Fe, NM, which explored pathways toward community-powered energy solutions. IJT staff also participated in a retreat with the People’s Solar Energy Fund, focusing on funding and technical assistance for community-led solar projects.
Protecting Mother Earth Conference: Hosted workshops on seed rematriation, food sovereignty, and sustainable community development, serving as the conference’s overarching theme.
Milestone: The IJT program initiated a sustainable community demonstration project on the lands of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people, integrating language and cultural revitalization efforts.
Future Plans: Finalize the IJT curriculum, conduct outreach workshops, and organize a regional gathering in 2025 to deepen engagement with tribal communities.

IJT is committed to fostering Indigenous-led solutions rooted in justice and Indigenous sovereignty.

Indigenous Feminisms

The Indigenous Feminisms program integrated matriarchal and feminist frameworks in the environmental justice movement. By emphasizing the connections between violence on the land and violence on Indigenous bodies, the program uplifted the leadership and rights of Indigenous women, femmes, and Two-Spirit people as central to climate justice.

Global Advocacy: Represented Indigenous matriarchal and feminist frameworks at the UNPFII and SB60 and led thematic discussions on agriculture for the Women and Gender Constituency.

MMIWR Awareness: Expanded inter-generational engagement through workshops and storytelling events, participated in and led various actions and marches, and emphasized the connection between Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives and climate justice.
Educational Tools: Published our first booklet and launched youth-focused initiatives, such as Indigenous craft nights and workshops.
Future Plans: Develop toolkits and curricula focused on climate justice and health equity, deepen MMIWR advocacy, and foster collaboration at all levels.

Our Indigenous Feminisms program remains steadfast in protecting and honoring Indigenous lands, cultures, and communities through feminist frameworks.

Images top to bottom: May 5, 2024 MMIW Walk in Bemiji, MN with community members – Claire Charlo, Indigenous Feminisms Educator giving an intervention at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April of 2024

Indigenous Sovereignty

In 2024, the Indigenous Sovereignty Advocacy initiative made significant strides in advancing the recognition and protection of Indigenous legal systems and sovereignty. Key accomplishments include:

Inherent Relationships Jurisprudence (IRJ): Developed in partnership with the Earth Law Center, IRJ uplifts Indigenous legal systems as equitable to non-Indigenous frameworks. Notable engagements included multi-day work sessions across Indigenous territories and overseeing a Native law student internship. Collaborative efforts linked IRJ with public health and rights of nature initiatives.
Indigenous Just Transition (IJT): Provided advisory support for IJT curriculum development, emphasizing Tribal Sovereignty. Co-facilitated a workshop at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) conference to strengthen tribal advocacy.
UNFCCC Advocacy: Advanced key issues within the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), including ethical protocols for Traditional Indigenous Knowledge (TIK) and inter-Indigenous recognition.
Treaty Protections: Supported efforts to safeguard Treaty Reserved Rights, notably assisting Māori groups in countering attempts to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Cahuilla Protectors: Provided legal and advocacy support to Tribal members opposing a Hydrogen Hub threatening their lands and water resources.
Research and Analysis: Recruited and managed a team of volunteer researchers exploring interdisciplinary issues.

Our Indigenous Sovereignty Advocacy initiative continues its commitment to upholding and advancing the legal and inherent sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Water Ethics

The Indigenous Water Ethics Initiative (IWE) focused on protecting water rights and sacred responsibilities in 2024.

Platform Launch: Launched an online archive at indigenous-message.org to archive and share Indigenous-led water resources, including declarations, art, and storytelling in multiple languages.
Global Advocacy: Participated in UN discussions and began planning for an international Indigenous forum on water, following the successful model of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB).
Sacred Water Defense: Supported victories for the Hualapai Nation and San Carlos Apache Tribe in protecting sacred springs and lands, including drafting letters to federal agencies and providing legal support.
Future Plans: Host a 2025 IWE Summit, build stronger global networks, and continue advocating for Indigenous water governance within international frameworks.

IWE remains committed to safeguarding water as a sacred and life-sustaining resource through Indigenous knowledge and leadership.

IEN Teaching Garden

The IEN Teaching Garden nurtured community food sovereignty and cultural resilience throughout 2024.

Community Engagement: Held events like the Roots, Shoots, and Seeds Celebration, distributed over 100 seed packs and 60 plants to community members, and organized workshops on black ash basket weaving and yoga sessions promoting wellness and connection with nature.
Cultural Revitalization: Facilitated student volunteer days, fostering relationships between youth and Mother Earth, and participated in black ash pack basket workshops with local weavers.
Sustainable Practices: Built a new cattle panel hoop house for plant and mycelium propagation, focusing on edible and medicinal mushrooms for food and bioremediation work.
Future Plans: Shift toward bioremediation projects to heal land and water, develop guiding principles rooted in Indigenous worldviews, and continue seed-keeping and educational activities.

The Teaching Garden continues cultivating both the land and the community, promoting environmental stewardship and cultural revitalization.

Images – top to bottom: Finished black ash baskets from multiple workshops – Muriel Dudley inoculating mushroom logs

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for 2025, we are deeply grateful for the support of our community and allies. Your financial contributions have been vital to our success and will be even more critical as we face the challenges of the coming year. Together, we can build on the momentum of 2024 and continue to pave the way for an Indigenous Just Transition.

Thank you for standing with us in this fight for Mother Earth, Indigenous sovereignty, and the well-being of all our relations. We look forward to walking this path together in the year to come.

In solidarity,
Indigenous Environmental Network