Rights of Nature Wisconsin is a movement that has grown from the work of Menikanaehkem (“Community Re-builders” – a grassroots organization on the Menominee Indian Reservation) and WISDOM (a Wisconsin network of mostly progressive faith-based groups working for social justice, which also serves as fiscal sponsor for Rights of Nature Wisconsin).
January 29 to February 26 2025 (every Wednesday) at 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom
Rights of Nature Series
Rights of Nature is an approach to environmental justice that WISDOM has embraced. It has a spiritual dimension, which is heavily influenced by Native American spirituality and the understanding that all of life is interrelated and has inherent worth. It also has a legal dimension, in which we believe the natural world should have the right to be protected from harm and have the right to have wrongs remedied. The Rights of Nature team will be hosting a 5-Week Zoom training about the Rights of Nature movement.
|
The training includes the following 5 sessions:
|
- Session 1: Setting the Stage – Understanding Rights of Nature
- Welcome and Icebreaker: Participants introduce themselves and share one word that describes their connection to nature.
- Presentation: Overview of the Rights of Nature concept, its origins, key principles, and significance in the context of environmental law and ethics.
- Interactive Q&A: Address participants' initial questions and thoughts about the concept.
Jan 29 2025 - Session 2: More in-depth into some of the Rights of Nature success stories
with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe people, and in the country of Ecuador.- What has interested you so far about rights of nature?
- Menomen - "Food that grows on water" - wild rice
- Creation stories
- First Rights of Salmon Case Goes to Tribal Court: Sauk-Suiattle Tribe v. City of Seattle
- Chippewa Triple Treaties
- Recent Rights of Nature Rulings
Feb 5 2025CDER: First Rights of Salmon Case Goes to Tribal Court,
Sauk-Suiattle Tribe v. City of SeattleFull Webinar (57:53) (Slide presentation starts at 22:12, ends at 37.29)Readings - Session 3: Philosophical and Ethical Dimensions
Participants were grouped to discuss the ethical implications of granting legal rights to nature.- What rights does Nature need to have in order to be healthy and robust?
- How do Rights of Nature differ from other Legal Rights we have?
- What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of implementing these rights?
- Who would stand to lose if Rights of Nature were recognized?
Each group discussed one of the above questions and chose a group member to summarize the discussion. After these four discussions, groups were shuffled to consider a second question.
Feb 12 2025 - Session 4: Practical Applications and Advocacy
- Workshop Activity: Participants brainstorm and design a campaign to advocate for the Rights of Nature in their community. Group will be divided up according to their respective geographical areas when designing their campaigns. This could include creating informational materials, social media strategies, or planning local events.
- Panel Discussion: Local activists and legal experts discuss practical steps for implementing Rights of Nature in various contexts.
- Q&A Session: Open floor for participants to ask questions and seek advice from panelists.
- Session 5: Personal and Collective Action Plans
- Reflection Exercise: Participants reflect on what they have learned and how it has influenced their view of nature.
- Action Planning: Each participant creates a personal action plan outlining steps they can take to support the Rights of Nature in their daily lives and communities.
- Group Sharing: Participants share their action plans and commit to supporting each other’s efforts. What we have done so far.