A growing number of countries are recognizing through their constitutions, legislation, or judicial decisions that nature has rights of personhood. It may be the Earth itself, or aspects of nature, such as mountains, rivers, or sacred places. Worldwide, Indigenous communities have been in the forefront of advocating for such recognition and of safeguarding those rights once they have been established. They have become the stewards and caretakers, applying their ancient knowledge and practices. Indigenous peoples constitute only 5% of the global population but they protect 80% of the world’s biodiversity. We will discuss the role that Indigenous communities play in this vital endeavor, beginning with the groundbreaking Ecuadorian Constitution of 2008 and moving into the current experiences. We will also consider the contested participation of Indigenous peoples in the UN Conference of Parties on climate change. We will be watching short videos or interviews with people who are doing this work to enable us to hear people’s own voices and understand their own narratives.

Nancy Bonvillain is Professor Emerita in anthropology and linguistics at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Her research focuses on Native American languages, especially Mohawk, and their community work with language maintenance and reawakening programs. In particular, she has worked with language programs at the Akwesasne Mohawk First Nation in Canada. Her research also focuses on Indigenous rights movements globally. She has written four textbooks in anthropology, language and culture, gender studies, and Native American studies and is the author of 20 separate ethnographies of Indigenous societies.

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