E&E News: ‘Rights of nature’ tribal case may upend pipeline law

11/18/2021

A recent White Earth wild rice case is a "first-of-its-kind" lawsuit. United States pipelines and fossil fuel projects are no stranger to controversy, but this novel case could very well drastically alter the power these industries have over our natural resources via “rights of nature” legal claim in tribal court to oppose a state approval of Enbridge Inc.’s Line 3 pipeline replacement.

CDER’s Executive Director, Mari Margil, and Frank Bibeau, a tribal attorney representing the White Earth Band are quoted in this article to frame the important work they have done in the work of this case and the rights of nature movement. As Frank Bibeau points out: "This law may be the tool of the future for Indian tribes. "We have an independent set of rights and ability to make laws, and we have a territory that we have a right to defend.” The rights of manoomin (wild rice) law will be key in the formation of future laws in tribal court, enshrining protection of lands and pivotal facets of their culture.

To learn more about this exciting development, please read the E & E News article ‘‘Rights of nature’ tribal case may upend pipeline law” located here.