Severe floods 'threaten food security', say farmers and environmental groups (2/8/14). Severe flooding in southern and western parts of the UK are expected to threaten food security. The issue is much broader than the UK and the issues raised in this article can be applied to other regions. Posted 2/10/14.

Track record mixed for GE crops (10/19/13).  Journalist contends that environmental impacts of genetically engineered crops vary depending on the types of genes added to each crop and the traits those genes confer. Posted 10/22/13.

Land & Sovereignty Brief No. 3 - The Great Soy Expansion: Brazilian Land Grabs in Eastern Bolivia. (9/10/13). "In the last two decades, the best agricultural lands in Bolivia have been put into commercial production by large-scale producers closely linked to foreign investors, particularly Brazilians. Posted 9/12/13.

U.S. Staple Crop System Failing from GM and Monoculture (7/10/13).  This article summarizes a new study that shows that the U.S. Midwest staple crop system - predominantly genetically modified - is falling behind other economically and technologically equivalent regions. Posted 7/12/13.

Urban Farming. PBS pilot episode of a show that highlights the benefits and challenges of urban gardening. Posted 7/12/13.

Seeds of Death. A movie that documents the dangers of genetically modified foods. Posted 7/3/13.

Study Shows Soil-Building Benefits of Organic Practices (6/25/13). Article cites a recent study that reports organic crops build healthy soil and sequester carbon, making organic agriculture a useful strategy for dealing with climate change. Posted 6/27/13.

The Economic Consequences of Cutting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (3/19/13). This site provides links to reports by the Center for American Progress that show the economic impact of cutting SNAP benefits.

Monsanto Is Currently Testing GMO Wheat In Two States (6/3/13). A strain of GMO wheat was discovered on an Oregon farm 8 years after Monsanto reported that it stopped field-testing its GM wheat. Posted 6/6/13.

Building a Racially Just Food Movement (4/7/13). Detroit Black Community Food Security Network's ED Malik Yakini writes that the effectiveness of movements for food sovereignty is rooted in engaging communities and more. Posted 6/6/13.

Monsanto and The Farm Bill: Big Ag Just Keeps Winning (5/24/13). A blog post by Praxis Project on the ways big ag continue to win while the rest of us have to subsist on what remains. The author provides several links to additional information. Posted 5/28/13.

New Analysis of Wikileaks Shows State Department's Promotion of Monsanto's GMOs Abroad (5/20/13). A blog post by Leslie Hatfield on Huff Post Green that discusses a report by Food & Water Watch that sheds light on the U.S. government's promotion of agricultural biotechnology abroad. Posted 5/23/13.

Online Planning Tool Aids in Developing Local Food Systems (8/15/12). Summary by Candace Pollock about a tool developed by researchers at Virginia Tech, North Carolina A&T and North Carolina State University. Posted 5/16/13.

The Problem with Walmart's Hunger Games (5/1/13). An Op-Ed by Anna Lappe that critiques Walmart's annual anti-hunger competition as being more about winning favor with the public than addressing hunger; on the contrary, it deepens poverty with its practices.

Doubts Surface about Safety of Common Food Additive, Carrageenan (3/18/13).  An article by Monica Eng in the Chicago Tribune about carrageenan, a commonly used food additive that has been linked to colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and higher rates of colon cancer. Posted 5/13/13.

As defined by EMEAC’s Media Director, Lottie Spady, “Youth are dangerously disconnected from an accurate narrative that unpacks our relationship with and impact on the environment. EMEAC’s environmental justice media work has centered around the development of a working knowledge of the role that the media plays in shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors about environment through media literacy, deconstruction, and reconstruction of media messages. Youth-produced environmental media provides a platform for their collective voice and opinions as well as educational opportunities for peers and the public through the creation of media campaigns, local documentaries, and multi-media presentations.”

While the topic range is very broad, there are guidelines every Green Screen entrant must follow:

1. Films may be up to 5 minutes in length.
2. Film must be about an environmental issue facing your community, city or county.
3. Topics may include but not limited to;
1. Environmental health
2. Alternative energy
3. School bus emissions
4. Urban sprawl
5. Brownfields
6. Recycling
7. Climate change
8. Stream and wetland protection
9. Trash/ recycling

4. Film must be suitable and appropriate for an audience of all ages. Films that promote violence will not be accepted.
5. There are no restrictions on the art form of your film. Films may be live action, animation, claymation, still photography or any combination.
6. Entry must be in Mini DV or Quick Time movie file on a DVD
7. Entry must be labeled with film, title, filmmaker's name, e-mail and phone number.
8. Participants must fill out and return an application form.

Selected films will be shown from 3:00pm-6:00pm, Saturday, November 9th in the D. Blair Theater of the Cass Corridor Commons at 4605 Cass Avenue, Detroit.

The films are judged for cinematic merit, relevance to Southeastern Michigan, and creative messaging.  A panel of judges consisting of independent directors, environmental activists, youth activists, and journalists will use a judging rubric to help guide their decisions.

Anyone interested entering a film for Green Screen 2013, sponsoring a film, volunteering or making a donation of support should call 313 354-4469 or stay tuned to www.emeac.org and twitter.com/emeac for continuing updates on the Green Screen 2013. You can also follow hashtag #GreenScreen2013.

This page is being constantly updated! Be sure to check back regularly for latest updates on general environmental justice news!




Guess Who's Playing In The Super Bowl: Renewable Energy (12/4/13) Short but interesting article about PSEG (Public Service Energy Group) partnering with the NFL Environmental Program to provide the green power for Super Bowl XLVIII, the first Super Bowl held in the New York-New Jersey metro region. Posted 12/18/13

Grand Rapids environmental advocates join fellow lobbyists against Kellogg's Corporation (11/22/13) Article about the efforts of local environmental advocates, businesses, community organizations, and universities, with other groups across Michigan to lobby against Kellogg's questionable partnership with palm oil giant Wilmar International. Posted 12/18/13.

Michigan town looks forward to cleaning up mess left behind by chemical company (10/17/13). This news article speaks to the struggles residents of St. Louis face because of lingering impacts of chemical dumping by a company that has since moved. Posted 10/18/13.

Dioxin Levels in Food - Where's the beef? A blog post about a report by the U.S. EPA on levels of the toxic substance, dioxin, in the food supply. Its presence in the food supply exceeds safe levels. Posted 6/20/13.

Why Environmental Justice is Everyone's Issue (6/24/13). This article seeks responses from several environmental justice leaders on the question: Why is environmental destruction of residential neighborhoods allowed to happen in low-income and communities of color? Posted 6/25/13.

Environmental Regulations are $500 billion Risk to Shipowners (6/4/13). This article raises the fundamental issue critics of capitalism have: it values profit (money/wealth) over the lives and health of humans, plants, animals, ecosystems and the environment as a whole. Posted 6/6/13.

The Rise of the Native Rights-Based Strategic Framework (5/22/13). An article by Clayton Thomas-Muller discusses a variety of concerns with the environmental groups often at the table with policy makers. He discusses how most of the mainstream climate groups are not movement building groups, but policy oriented, which means that they see power as residing in the hands of legislators and not the people themselves. Posted 6/3/13.

Environmental Justice: The invisible hand and the invisible man (6/3/13). Article authors Cheryl Little and Michael Hancox offer market-based solutions to benefit environmental justice communities. Posted 6/3/13.

Innovative Approaches to Improving Health Outcomes in Environmental Justice Communities. This white paper includes innovative strategies used around the country to tackle the challenges faced by environmental justice communities. Note: to download the white paper, you will need to input an email. Posted 6/3/13.

Toxic Chemicals: A new push to get a grip (5/30/13). An NPR radio broadcast in which guest presenters reveal the weaknesses in regulations on toxics. On this webpage are links to additional materials on toxics. Posted 6/3/13.

Why Aren't Environmental Groups Divesting from Fossil Fuels? (5/2/13). Naomi Klein raises concerns that some of big green's most powerful players still invest in energy companies. Posted 6/3/13.

UN: Accelerating Biodiversity Loss a 'Fundamental' Threat to the "Survival of Humankind' (5/28/13). Andrea Germanos from Common Dreams reports on concerns raised by Zakri Abdul Hamid, founding chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, during the 7th Trondheim conference in Norway. Posted 5/31/13.

A River Runs Through It (5/22/13). Paul Greenburg reports on how the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the result of decades-long U.S. agricultural practices and investigates some of the promising solutions to fix its future. Posted 5/28/13.

Talking Garbage (5/23/13). Despite efforts to eliminate and reduce the amount of garbage being dumped into the sea from ships, up to 10 tons of garbage are still being deposited per mile of coastline each year. Posted 5/28/13.

NY's Toxic Disposal of Mercury Thermostats (4/18/13). An article by Dan Telvock in Investigative Post on New York's contamination of the environment with mercury. Posted 5/23/13.

U.S. shouldn't be enabling a destructive industry (2/8/14). An Op-Ed in which the author critiques the State Department's report on the environmental impacts of the Keystone XL and the justification for its construction. Posted 2/10/14.

Oil and Water: Tar sands crude shipping meets Great Lakes? (11/20/13). A recently published report cites gaps in the region's oil spill prevention and response measures. A link to the full report is at the bottom of the page. Posted 12/2/13.

Environmentalists demand new climate analysis for Keystone XL (6/27/13). Six environmental advocacy groups are calling for the State Department to redo an earlier assessment of Keystone XL's climate analysis. Posted 6/27/13.

Toxic Tar Sands: Profiles from the Front Lines. A publication by the Sierra Club that highlights people impacted by tar sands extraction and processing. Posted 6/13/13.

TransCanada Whistle-blower Warns of Shoddy Pipeline Practices (6/11/13). A news article that reports on a former employee of TransCanada Corp., the Canadian company leading the proposal for the Keystone XL pipeline, who testified before the Canadian Senate committee last week about its culture of noncompliance and coercion with practices that ignored legally required regulations. Posted 6/11/13.

Beyond Protest: First Nations Community Seeks Alternatives to Tar Sands Destruction (6/6/13). Clayton Thomas-Muller writes on his experience participating in the sacred Healing Walk, organized by teh Athabasca Keepers of the Water in For McMurray, Alberta (Canada). Posted 6/6/13.

Tar Sands Healing Walk July 5-6, 2013. A video spotlighting a gathering of First Nations and Metis in a Healing Walk focused on healing the environment and the people suffering from tar sands expansion. Posted 6/6/13.

Alberta First Nations Band Wins Right to Trial Over Oil Sands' Effect On Treaty Rights (6/4/13). The Beaver Lake Cree Nation argues that the so-called cumulative effect of oil sands and other industries such as mining and forestry violated their treaty rights. Posted 6/6/13.

Keystone XL Decision Will Define Barak Obama's Legacy on Climate Change (2/22/13). An old article that provides useful information about the dangers of tarsands oil extraction and refining. Posted 6/6/13.

Map: Another Major Tar Sands Pipeline Seeking U.S. Permit (6/3/13). Enbridge, Inc. is quietly building a 5,000 mile network of new and expanded pipelines.  The plans have escaped scrutiny because expansion has proceeded in segments.  Posted 6/6/13.

Tar Sands Supporters Suffer Setback as British Columbia Rejects Pipeline (6/3/13). Canadian province rejects plan for Enbridge Northern Gateway, saying the company failed to demonstrate adequate clean-up plan. Posted 6/3/13.

Lobbyists for Canadian Pipeline have deep ties to White House (5/31/13).  Pratap Chatterjee writes in CorpWatch that TransCanada and the provincial government of Alberta are paying former advisors to the Obama administration to help them lobby for the Keystone XL pipeline. Posted 6/3/13.

The Sticky Problems with Tar Sands (9/2/11). Christen Conger provides some basic important facts about tarsands. Posted 6/3/13.

Keystone questions persistent in U.S. (5/31/13). Trent Wilkie of the Sherwood Park News writes that Dave Quest, member of the Legislative Assembly of Strathcona-Sherwood Park (Canada), expresses frustration in what he believes is the lack of knowledge about what is going on with the oilsands and the pipeline. Posted 5/31/13.

Day 1: Spotlighting Crystal Lameman, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Canada (11/12/12). An interview with Cree activist Crystal Lameman during a delegation the Nobel Women's Initiative led in October 2012 to the tar sands of Alberta, Canada. Video embedded in article. Posted 5/23/13.

Clean Energy - Extreme Energy (local/national)

Nuclear waste solution seen in desert salt beds (2/9/14).  The U.S. Department of Energy is now storing nuclear waste in underground rooms carved out beneath dried up salt beds. Posted 2/10/14.

Nusbaum: Dangers will come over time (1/15/14). Guest columnist and board certified neurologist E. Daniel Nusbaum writes about the dangers of pyrolosis, a form of trash burning that generates fuel for electricity. Posted 1/17/14.

Ripe for retirement: an economic analysis of the U.S. coal fleet - 2013 update. Updates to an earlier report demonstrates that as many as 329 coal-fire power generators in 38 states are no longer economically competitive when compared with more clean facilities. Posted 12/10/13.

Environmentalists press Detroit to stop incineration (11/20/13). Representatives of Zero Waste Detroit coalition contend that incineration is not a renewable source for energy, but one that is harmful. Posted 12/2/13.

Several articles on the dangers of hydraulic fracturing are shared here. Posted 11/13/13.
   Tiny Minnesota city draws a line in the frac sand boom
   Oklahomans claim fracking waste polluted their water
   North Dakota's salty fracked wells drink more water to keep oil flowing

Push for ethanol production carries cost to land (11/12/13). Clearing the land to grow corn for ethanol production has proven more harmful to the environment than politicians are willing to admit. Posted 11/13/13.

New research provides evidence of coal dust escaping from trains (11/4/13). Preliminary findings released indicate that coal dust remains in the air after passing through an area. Posted 11/5/13.

Coal industry's go-to law firm withheld evidence of black lung, at expense of sick miners (10/29/13). In this report, attorneys and law firms that have served and protected the coal industry at the expense of legitimate claims are exposed. Posted 11/4/13.

FACT SHEET: Trash Incineration ("Waste-to-Energy"). Mike Ewall from Energy Justice Network prepared a fact sheet about the burning of garbage for energy production. Posted 11/4/13.

Michigan, EPA rules for coal ash piles under debate (11/1/13). Apparently Michigan's handling of toxic coal ash is too loose for the feds standards. Posted 11/3/13.

As experts recognize new form of black lung, coal industry follows familiar pattern of denial (11/1/13). A new form of black lung disease that results from inhalation of coal dust is diminishing people's lives; however because it is new, the coal industry denies any culpability.

Coal industry, Hill allies target fine print of Obama climate plan (9/3/13). Article by the Center for Public Integrity provides an overview of coal supporters efforts to undermine any efforts by the EPA to regulate emissions.

Wisconsin waters threatened by tar sands crude oil expansion (7/4/13). An Op-Ed in the Journal Sentinal online. Posted 8/11/13.

Fervent foes devote their lives to fracking fight (7/4/13). Residents of southern New York have been fighting industry to tap into its rich Marcellus Shale deposits. Posted 7/30/13.

Cement industry is the most energy intensive (7/3/13). The cement industry is "the most energy intensive of all manufacturing industries, with a share of national use roughly 10 times its share of the nation's gross output of goods and services." Posted 7/30/13.
Here are two articles about individuals at the US EPA "giving advice" to Japan allowing HIGHER risks than for radioactive cleanup levels that the EPA allows in the US and the push by such folks to legalize weaker radioactive protection in the US via Protective Action Guides. Does the U.S. Advice on Disposing Fukushima Waste Apply Back Home? and EPA Documents Raise Doubts Over Intent of New Nuclear-Response Guide.

What is the best disposal option for the "Leftovers" on the way to Zero Waste? This is a summary of a study that explored methods for managing mixed-waste residuals to reduce the harm and risks to public health and the environment to identify the best one. Posted 7/3/13.

Burning Recycling (May 2013). A resource guide from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives on the problems incineration pose for the environment and human health. Posted 6/27/13.

Waste to Energy a Health Hazard? (6/21/13). An article in which attorney Mike Ewall, Co-Director of Energy Justice Network speaks on the toxics released by waste-to-incineration schemes. Posted 6/26/13.


Coal-Fired Power Plants: Understanding the Health Costs of a Dirty Energy Source. An article published by Physicians for Social Responsibility. Posted 5/29/13.

How much of your "clean, renewable" energy comes out of a smokestack? (10/4/11). An analysis of what is considered renewable energy, with a particular focus and critique of biomass incineration. Posted 6/20/13.

"Renewable" biomass power cuts forests, pollutes the air, drains rivers and worsens global warming. Posted 6/20/13. A fact sheet giving specific examples of the environmental impacts of biopower.

Clearcut Disster: Carbon Loophole Threatens U.S. Forests (6/10). A report by the Environmental Working Group on the role of biomass in the Waxman Market energy bill and how it would blow the carbon cap out of the water. Posted 6/20/13.

Coal-Fired Power Plants: Understanding the Health Costs of a Dirty Energy Source. An article published by Physicians for Social Responsibility. Posted 5/29/13.

An Anti-Biomass Movement Beyond Borders [The Biomass Monitor] (5/15/13). A blog post by Josh Schlossberg on Energy Justice Network's website. Josh discusses the growing anti-biomass movement among grassroots organizations. Posted 5/16/13.

News -- Job Creation in Muskegon and Michigan is the Goal of New Energy Center Partnership, members say (5/7/13). An announcement summarized by Dave Alexander in All Michigan about a budding partnership to develop the alternative energy industry in Muskegon that may lead to jobs. Posted 5/9/13.

Clean Energy - Extreme Energy (global)

Red Lake Direct Action to stop Illegal Enbridge Pipeline (3/12/13). A video that shows a group, led by the Red Lake Band of Chippewa, opposing the expansion of the Enbridge pipeline. Posted 6/20/13.

History of Gasification of Municipal Solid Waste through the Eyes of Mr. Hakan Rylander (4/19/12). An interview with the former President of International Solid Waste Association reveals that there are no environmental/climate benefits of gasification unless inputs are homogenous; this isn't the case, however, no matter how much pre-treatment happens. Posted 6/11/13.

No Public Hearings Possible on Coal Terminal Expansion, Says Port Authority (6/4/13). In this article we are able to see that pass-the-buck dance that corporations and their government agency-supporters do when the public raises tough questions about the policies and practices that impact the health of the environment, people, and more. People are calling for public meetings, but are being denied. Posted 6/6/13.

Summary of the second Research Program on Particulate Matter (5/29/13). This paper reports that a major source of particulate matter, which includes soot and heavy metals, is traffic. And concentrations of soot and heavy metals are 2-3 times higher along busy streets and roads in the Netherlands. Soot and heavy metal have higher negative effects on human health than other components of particulate matter. Posted 6/3/13.

News -- Atmospheric Carbon Levels Hit Record High (5/10/13). A statement by the Union of Concerned Scientists on the unprecedented amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Posted 5/13/13.

Air pollution as a heart threat (11/15/13). New studies suggest that air pollution not only worsens cardiovascular disease, but can also cause it. Posted 1/17/14.

Air pollution from incinerators and reproductive outcomes (11/2013). A journal article that draws a connection between air pollution and pre-term births. Posted 10/30/13.

Ongoing exposure to vehicle exhaust a health risk: researchers (10/21/13).  A Canadian study that draws the connection between the development of asthma and pollutants from vehicles' tailpipes. Posted 10/22/13.

MIT study: More people die from pollution than car crashes (10/18/13).  The Deseret News reports that a "recent study by MIT found that the pollution caused by driving causes more early deaths in the United States than the number of people who die each year in traffic crashes." Posted 10/21/13.

Diesel fumes deemed as cancerous as asbestos and passive smoking (9/3/13). The World Health Organization has said that diesel exhaust causes cancer. Posted 9/3/13.

Dr. Frank Bures: Particulates pose danger (9/1/13). Dr. Bures clearly indicates that particulate matter impacts human and environmental health and defines precisely what it is. Posted 9/3/13.

Air pollution causes 200,000 early fatalities/year in the US (9/2/13). MIT's Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment tracked ground-level emissions from a variety of sources, finding that the biggest culprit was road transportation. Posted 9/3/13.

Why is killer Diesel Still Poisoning Our Air? (7/19/13). News article highlighting the impacts of diesel on human health. The WHO designated diesel fumes as a cause of cancer alongside asbestos and plutonium. The article focuses on high pollution in Europe, with London as the epicenter. Posted 7/21/13.

Forest Decline Due to Particulate Matter (6/19/13). The Environmental News Network reports that the particulate matter in air pollution is correlated to forest decline. Posted 6/24/13.


Autism: Harvard study confirms pollution link (6/18/13). David Danelski reports on a recent Harvard University study that confirms a link between autism and air pollution.  Specifically, pregnant women living in high-pollution areas are more likely to have children who develop autism. Posted 6/20/13.


Environmental Justice Groups Sue EPA for Failure to Enforce Clean Air Act (6/14/13). Caroline Selle reports on a lawsuit by 5 environmental justice groups who are suing EPA for failure to comply with the Clean Air Act. Posted 6/20/13.

Microsampling Air Pollution (6/3/13). Article reports on low cost strategies some citizens have taken to measure air quality throughout various neighborhoods. Air quality often varies from neighborhood to neighborhood; measures not picked up by larger air quality monitoring agencies. Posted 6/6/13.

Air Quality Egg. A community-led air quality sensing network that gives people a way to participate in the conversation about air quality. Posted 5/16/13.

Exercise and Air Pollution (5/29/13). Huffington Post blogger Ben Greenfield summarizes findings from several reports that draw linkages between exercising in polluted areas (outdoors) and higher instances of health problems. Posted 5/30/13.

Traffic Air Pollution Turns Good Cholesterol Bad (5/29/13). Environmental and Occupational Health expert Elizabeth Sharpe reports on a study that finds exposure to diesel exhaust may render good cholesterol incapable of fighting the bad, artery-clogging cholesterol that promotes heart attack and stroke. Posted 5/30/13.


Asthma Plagues Peace Bridge Neighborhood (5/25/13). A newspaper article by Dan Telvock in Investigative Post about the cumulative impact of truck pollution on asthma and respiratory problems among people living near the Peace Bridge, which connects Buffalo, NY to Canada. Research and researchers cited in this article may have some value to researchers and activists in Detroit. Posted 5/28/13.

The Hidden Danger of Car Exhaust (5/26/13).  David Williamson reports on a recent study published by the American Heart Association journal links atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) to car exhaust. Posted 5/28/13.


Voluntary Clean Truck Programs Reduce Emissions at Ports, but Fall Short of Clean Air Goals (5/15/13). An a summary by Narcelo Norsworthy of a new peer reviewed study by Environmental Defense Fund called Emissions reduction analysis of voluntary clean truck programs at US ports. Posted 5/16/13.


Why Living Near a Busy Road Could Be Dangerous for Your Child's Health: Traffic pollution linked to diabetes risk (5/9/13). An article posted in Britain's Daily Mail Reporter. The author reports that living "near a busy road and increased levels of pollution from cars and lorries significantly raised the risk of insulin resistance in ten-year-olds, scientists found." Posted 5/14/13.

Residents Near U.S. Ports Say Expansions Taking Heavy Toll (5/5/13). An article that appears in the Washington Post.  The concerns raised in this article are similar to those shared by folks in SW and other parts of Detroit who are subjected to high levels of truck pollution. Posted 5/6/13.

Problems of Diesel. An informational page on the Clean Air Task Force's website. It provides a short overview on the health and climate-related problems that diesel causes. Posted 5/6/13.

Pollution Reporters: State of the air report from the American Lung Association (5/3/13). A summary of a recently released report from ALA. A link to the report can be found here.  Viewers can look up information by county. Posted 5/6/13.

Long-term Traffic Pollution Exposure Linked to Atherosclerosis (5/1/13). A summary of a recently published study by Hagen Kalsh, MD. Results showed that proximity to major roads and small particulate matter were associated with increasing atherosclerosis. Posted 5/6/13.

EMEAC decided that it was important to really educate ourselves on Native and Indigenous organizing as it pertains to the environmental justice movement.

While we can not possibly do justice to the entire history of Indigenous and Native organizing with just one little post, we hope that it provides enough of an introduction that readers are able to google terms or check out further reading material and begin their own process of education! 

Without a doubt, one of the most important terms to know related to Indigenous and Native organizing is "sovereignty." In the US, tribal peoples have a different relationship to the government than other communities of color. Because tribes were legally negotiated with by the US government during the Indian Wars era (signing treaties, recognized as conquered nations, etc), tribes in the US are generally understood as "domestic dependent nations." In general, this means that to a certain extent, tribes have the right to decide how their land/resources will be used, who the people of their tribe are, and how law enforcement will happen on their land.

Of course, sovereignty sounds like fairly straightforward common sense, but because the US has never officially stopped needing the resources that tribal peoples have on their lands, "sovereignty" and what it actually means has been subjected to painfully long court battles. Why do tribal courts have the right to enforce tribal laws? Why does the treaty from 100 years ago give a particular tribe ultimate say over what happens to the water on their land? The court system largely answers these questions, but generally has no authority to enforce the outcomes. This means that very often outcomes that are favorable to tribes very often aren't enforced or followed through on. 

At the same time, the legal relationship with the US that tribes have allowed for what many call "special privileges" (although it should be noted that genocide was the price tribal peoples paid for those so called "privileges"). But while many non-natives ask why tribal people get to hunt out of season, why they get casinos, or why they get to go to college for "free", sovereignty is something that also protects non-Natives as well, in ways that far far outweigh the supposed "special privileges" that only tribal peoples get. 

For example, in many treaties that tribes negotiated, they are ensured the right to hunt or graze on tribal land (whether or not they control/own the land itself). What this has meant is while tribes may not have express control over the land, they have the right to land that has game to hunt on it. That distinction may seem insignificant, but when mining companies were trying to take over much of the Ojibwe's ceded land during the "fishing wars" back in the 80s, the tribe was able to successfully argue against mines based on how harmful the mines would be to the land. If the lands are completely devastated by mining, there will be no game to hunt, and the US would be held liable. The argument proved so successful in a state that is traditionally pro-mining but ALSO pro-hunting, that the Ojibwe wound up gaining support from people who had started off protesting the Ojibwe's "special protections" AND winning the battle against the mining corporations.


You see a very similar situation going on with today's Idle No More movement. Although the original movement began in Canada with the First Nations peoples, the fight they were putting up was very similar to the fight of the Ojibwe. After a series of laws were passed that would've affected tribal peoples' right to water access (and horribly polluting and harming the water in the process), tribal peoples organized around "Indigenous Ways of Knowing rooted in Indigenous Sovereignty to protect water, air, land and all creation for future generations."


Idle No More has since expanded and become a world wide movement--but it's roots throughout the world remain grounded in the principles of sovereignty and as such, the principles of generational land protection. Another action involved First Nations from Manitoba serving eviction notices to mining corporations that were on their land. Idle No More groups have also been very vocal in their opposition to tar sands, fracking and oil pipe lines being built and they have used sovereignty as a way to fight these harmful practices. 


Tribal sovereignty is a hugely complex subject. There are many cases in court centering on tribal sovereignty that have been going on for decades. As stated at the beginning of this post, one single little blog post will not even begin to uncover the many layers around sovereignty. But it is an extremely important concept for non-Natives to understand. If we don't, we stand in danger of siding with the narratives around "special privileges," rather than with the reality of justice.


More reading:

Andrea Smith: Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide
Vine Deloria: The Nations Within: The Past and Future of American Indian Sovereignty
The Supreme Court Strikes a Hard Blow to Tribal Sovereignty in Adoption Case
Cherokee Nation's Baby Girl Goes on TrialWikipedia page on tribal sovereignty in the US

Siwatu on what climate justice has to do with gentrification

We at EMEAC were all thrilled when we found out that Young Educators Alliance team leader, Siwatu Salama-Ra had been chosen to represent not just EMEAC, but also Detroit and Michigan as a member of the Global Power Shift delegation that is headed to Istanbul, Turkey from June 24th to the 30th.

The meet up in Istanbul will included over 100 delegates from around the world and will focus on creating a global climate justice movement. From the GPS website:

The Rio+20 Earth Summit in June of 2012 was meant to be the starting point for a three year push to 2015, but the summit ended in a whimper rather than a bang. 2015 will come and go with only a whimper as well, unless the international climate movement can generate an unprecedented level of political pressure for climate action. 

We need a massive and sustained show of force that disrupts the status quo and captures the public imagination. This ambitious goal is within reach. With a loose collection of organizations, activists, and networks in nearly every country on earth, the climate movement has the necessary potential to facilitate this sort of global groundswell. Now it’s time for us to realize this potential. 

Global Power Shift (GPS) will begin with an international climate leaders summit of mostly young people in Istanbul, Turkey, June 24-30, 2013. The week-long summit will be a chance for us to refine skills, create personal bonds and community, share a global vision for change, and strategize how to organize different actions and similar summits back home. In the months that follow, in country after country we will organize national or regional summits.

Before Siwatu left for Istanbul, we took some time to sit with her and discuss her upcoming trip. The major question we had: What does climate change have to do with gentrification? As a leader of the Young Educators Alliance, Siwatu has done extensive work around gentrification. Her response demonstrated not only the importance of YEA's work around gentrification, but also why her presence in Instanbul is so essential!

From the Directors #2

Here is the latest clip From the Directors! In it, co-directors, Ife Kilimanjaro and Diana Copeland talk about why modeling shared leadership in EMEAC's organization model is so important.

From the Directors #1

 Welcome to From the Directors!

 In an effort to more consistently communicate with members, supporters and allies, my fellow EMEAC co-director, Diana Copeland and I, are creating a space in which to share our thoughts and analyses on a variety of issues that intersect our work, as well as provide updates on new initiatives, collaborations and other organization-wide efforts.

 The video you see here is a short clip from a longer conversation that Diana and I had about the transition to shared leadership. In it, I speak to what led me to EMEAC. Moving forward, we will be posting write ups and/or videos three times per month.

 Please stay tuned for the next From the Director vlog, where Diana and I will discuss the importance of the "shared leadership" model in Detroit organizing!

 Sincerely, Ife Kilimanjaro EMEAC Co-Director

Originally published at The Michigan Citizen


East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC) co-director Diana Copeland is the recipient of the University of Michigan’s Visiting Social Activist Fellowship.
Awarded each year by the University of Michigan’s Center for the Education of Women (CEW), the fellowship work focuses on building the capacity and effectiveness of social activists working on issues important to women.
This is accomplished by giving the activist two months in Ann Arbor with access to university resources and support to work on a project that would not be possible under the activist’s usual working circumstances.
For her project in September 2013, Copeland will develop popular education curricula for youth organizations, high school classrooms and other audiences interested in addressing urban environmental issues through a feminist lens.
“EMEAC is an organization that promotes and develops leadership of women and people of color so it seems appropriate to develop a curricula model and dialogue space,” says Copeland.
Since 2007, EMEAC has partnered with Detroit Public Schools and the University of Michigan to run the Greener Schools program, an interdisciplinary arts and environmental education program that uses participatory design activities to engage high school students in redesigning their school yards and elements inside the schools.
The program improves the school environment while giving students a sense of ownership and purpose in designing and developing the initiative.
Building on this educational model, Copeland’s new curricula will include video interviews of Detroit women and teens, reflecting on how place has shaped their view of self and why having a strong sense of womanism is important.
“I greatly appreciate having the time and space that this fellowship will allow me to think about how to link how we do our work with women in a leadership role to how it fits into our roots and education around the environmental justice movement,” she said.
Copeland received a Master of Science degree in environmental justice from the University of Michigan in 2004, where she was lead coordinator of the Environmental Justice and Global Climate Change International Conference. She became executive director of EMEAC in 2005.
With EMEAC as one of three local sponsoring organizations, Copeland was a lead organizer when Detroit hosted over 18,000 citizen activists attending the 2010 United States Social Forum.
EMEAC’s mission is to empower the Detroit community to protect, preserve and value the land, air and water. EMEAC builds community power through environmental justice education, youth development and collaborative relationship building.
For more information about EMEAC’s programs or Diana Copeland’s work, contact Lottie Spady at  lottie@emeac.org. or 313.556.1702 ext. 701.
For more information about the Visiting Social Activist Program, visit www.cew.umich.edu/action/tfvssa or contact Beth Sullivan, CEW senior associate for Advocacy and Policy, at bsullivan@umich.edu or 734.764.6343.