The Intersection of Environmental Protest and Indigenous Sovereignty

Throughout history, environmental protests have often intersected with the fight for indigenous sovereignty, leading to severe backlash against both movements. Efforts by indigenous communities, such as the Ochetty Chakwan people in the US and the Wet'suwet'en in Canada, to halt environmentally harmful projects have sparked wider movements for native people's rights. However, when the backlash comes, it targets not only environmental activism but also indigenous rights movements. This connection was seen in the Standing Rock protests, where thousands of people from around the world gathered to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline and support indigenous land and water rights. The intense police response and subsequent laws criminalizing protests were direct results of this resistance.