Indigenous Wisdom Fuels the Rights of Nature Movement
In a compelling blend of ancient wisdom and modern legal frameworks, the Rights of Nature movement is gaining traction, inspired by Indigenous principles. A recent article highlights how this movement is taking shape in North Carolina and beyond, with a focus on the Haw River.
The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights has collaborated with 7 Directions of Service to draft legislation aimed at recognizing the rights of the Haw River. This initiative is deeply rooted in the Occaneechi-Saponi homelands and reflects a profound respect for the interconnectedness of life.
Crystal Cavalier-Keck, executive director of 7 Directions of Service, has been instrumental in this process, working alongside N.C. State Rep. Pricey Harrison to establish The Rights of the Haw River Ecosystem River Act (HB795). This act is a testament to the “universal laws of nature” passed down through generations, now being channeled into a Western legal context.
The movement is a response to the global environmental crisis, viewing the biosphere as a living entity with inherent rights. It’s a shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism, where the right of the environment to exist and flourish is paramount.
This May, leaders of the Rights of Nature movement will convene at Haw River State Park to further explore this Indigenous-driven legal framework. Their goal is to protect natural spaces from destructive development projects, ensuring that human health and the planet’s well-being remain intertwined.
As the world grapples with environmental threats, the Rights of Nature movement, guided by Indigenous principles, offers a hopeful path forward.
Read more at Indigenous principles inspire Rights of Nature movement to combat environmental threats, by Will Atwater, North Carolina Health News, April 19, 2024.