Indigenous Governance Database
tribal water rights
Water Back: A Review Centering Rematriation and Indigenous Water Research Sovereignty
The recent Land Back movement has catalysed global solidarity towards addressing the oppression and dispossession of Indigenous Peoples’ Lands and territories. Largely absent from the discourse, however, is a discussion of the alienation of Indigenous Peoples from Water by settler-colonial states.…
Breaching Barriers: The Fight for Indigenous Participation in Water Governance
Indigenous peoples worldwide face barriers to participation in water governance, which includes planning and permitting of infrastructure that may affect water in their territories. In the United States, the extent to which Indigenous voices are heard—let alone incorporated into decision-making—…
Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19: Issues of Law and Justice – USA
A co-production of New Zealand's Victoria University of Wellington and the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre for Indigenous Peoples and the Law, the "Indigenous Peoples and COVID-19: Issues of Law and Justice" is a series of conversations focused on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples with COVID-19,…
Water in the Native World: Change Rippling through Our Waters and Culture
“Water in the Native World,” a special issue on tribal water research was just released by the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education. This is the second time, Dr. Karletta Chief, the PI of the Community Engagement Core of the University of Arizona Superfund Research Center (UA SRC)…
Water in the Native World Webinar Series: A Confluence of Anticolonial Pathways for Indigenous Sacred Site Protection
“Water in the Native World,” a special issue on tribal water research was just released by the Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education. This is the second time, Dr. Karletta Chief, the PI of the Community Engagement Core of the University of Arizona Superfund Research Center (UA SRC…
Rebecca Tsosie: Indigenous Sustainability and Resilience to Climate Extremes
The School of Geography & Development presented the “My Arizona” Lecture of Prof. Rebecca Tsosie, Regents Professor of Law at Univeristy of Arizona on Friday, November 1, 2019. Her lecture, "Indigenous Sustainability and Resilience to Climate Extremes: Traditional Knowledge and the Systems of…
Vernon Masayesva: Self-Governance and Protecting Water
Former Tribal Chairman of the Hopi Nation and Executive Director of Black Mesa Trust, Vernon Masayesva relays his thoughts about advocating for self-governance and protection of water rights for Indigenous people. His pursuits in holding accountability of mining in Hopi territory has made Vernon…
Water is Life video series Part 3 Mni Wiconi
The Native Nations Institute produced a three-part educational video series called, “Water is Life." The video series brings a Native nation building perspective to the conflict over the Dakota Access Pipeline and features interviews with LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, former tribal historic…
Water is Life video series Part 2 Oceti Sakowin
The Native Nations Institute produced a three-part educational video series called, “Water is Life." The video series brings a Native nation building perspective to the conflict over the Dakota Access Pipeline and features interviews with LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, former tribal historic…
Water is Life video series Part 1 The Lakota and Dakota People
The Native Nations Institute produced a three-part educational video series called, “Water is Life." The video series brings a Native nation building perspective to the conflict over the Dakota Access Pipeline and features interviews with LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, former tribal historic…
Vernon Masayesva Keynote: Water Ethics Symposium
Vernon Masayesva (Hopi) is the Executive Director of Black Mesa Trust and leading advocate for protecting water resources for the Hopi Nation. He's a Hopi Leader of the Coyote Clan and former Chairman of the Hopi Tribal Council from the village of Hotevilla who has worked for decades on bringing…
Protecting the Fish and Eating Them, Too: Impacts of the Endangered Species Act on Tribal Water Use
The scarcity of water in the American West and the increased demands for the resource have created much tension of late between tribes, endangered species advocates, and the holders of water rights granted by the states for non-native consumptive uses. The over-allocation of water by state…
BIA Head Kevin Washburn Speaks to ICTMN About Bay Mills and the Need to Resolve Water Rights
Interior Secretary — Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn was in New York City in September as the historic Peoples’ Climate March and the United Nations General Assembly opened its 69th regular session with the first World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, where he added to our excitement here at…
Klamath Agreements Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty
From time immemorial, salmon, steelhead and other fish runs have sustained the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Paiute members of the Klamath Tribes. It has been more than 100 years, however, since our tribal members have seen salmon and steelhead migrate home to the Upper Klamath Basin, or had an…
Nicole Horseherder-Arizona Groundwater, A Precious Resource
Nicole Horseherder, Navajo Activist and To’ Nizhoni Ani’, presents an Indigenous perspective of water resources.
Robyn Interpreter-The Nature of Tribal Water Rights
Robyn Interpreter, Water Attorney (Yavapai-Apache Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe), discusses how tribal attorneys have to negotiate all perspectives of tribal water rights in a contemporary climate.
Janene Yazzie-The Next Generation of Tribal Water Use: Our Youth Represent the Future
Janene Yazzie, Little Colorado River Watershed Chapters Association, provides a detail account of how water use and water exploitation have impacted Indigenous peoples.
Margaret Vick-The Nature of Tribal Water Rights
Margaret Vick, Water Attorney (Havasupai and Colorado River Indian Tribes), discusses the nature of tribal water right by examining the long history of Arizona tribes protecting their rights.
Tony Skrelunas-Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future
Tony Skrelunas, Grand Canyon Trust, explains contemporary efforts of resources management using traditional knowledge and practices.
Norm DeWeaver-Tribal Water Successes and Challenges
Norm DeWeaver, Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., provides three individual Native nation stories focusing on successes and challenges around tribal water rights.