This month we highlight the work of

the Indigenous Environmental Network

We begin with the giant and expansive theme of ENVIRONMENT.  

In many ways, every other theme throughout the year relates or connects to the environment. Everyone and everything is part of it. It’s the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the ground beneath us. Which is why although Holes in the Wall Collective is not a traditional environmental organization, we still consider ourselves an environmental organization. Meaning we are interested in people and the places they are in, ideas and the ecosystems they thrive in, new innovations and old wisdom. And through it all, the balance for life to thrive. If we are going to have a future to pass off to future generations, we need to radically change our perceptions about the environment itself, and place ourselves back into it.

The Indigenous Environmental Network is an alliance of Indigenous Peoples whose shared mission is to protect the sacredness of Earth Mother from contamination & exploitation by respecting and adhering to Indigenous Knowledge and Natural Law.  Started in 1990 combining Environmental and economic Justice platforms, IEN has spent the last 30 years educating, mobilizing, strategizing and networking for shared knowledge and resources.

IEN's goals:

1. Educate and empower Indigenous Peoples to address and develop strategies for the protection of our environment, our health, and all life forms – the Circle of Life.
2. Re-affirm their traditional knowledge and respect of natural laws.
3. Recognize, support, and promote environmentally sound lifestyles, economic livelihoods, and to build healthy sustaining Indigenous communities.
4. A commitment to influence policies that affect Indigenous Peoples on a local, tribal, state, regional, national and international level.
5. Include youth and elders in all levels of their work.
6. Protect the human rights to practice their cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Why the Indigenous Environmental Network? 

Comprising just 5% of the world population, Indigenous populations protect almost 80% of the world’s biodiversity. Their science, wisdom & integrative cultural practices are as varied as biodiversity itself- but a common through-line is the belief and practice to steward the earth and live in balance. To not remove oneself from one’s environment, but take active responsibility as part of it.

Indigenous rights and the rights of the earth have always been intertwined. Modern “civilization” has progressed at the expense of both, often surviving or thriving directly off of or because of stolen lands and resources. As the vast wealth of natural resources quickly dwindles, however, most of humanity is coming to the understanding we will not sustain life at this rate. (It can of course be argued that this was never sustaining for most people and much of the ecosystem).

As we enter a new epoch of climate anxiety and environmental crisis, there is a renewed interest in Indigenous knowledge to help lead the discourse on climate change and action.  Yet there is also warranted wariness on this new movement coopting, extracting and running roughshod over the wisdom and practice of peoples who have been living in and with the earth the longest. That’s why indigenous leadership and representation is so important. We are honored to begin this program with IEN in support of their important and prescient work and in memory of all the indigenous peoples who have lost their land and lives in the struggle to live in balance with the earth. 

There are so many Environmental organizations worthy of your support and attention.  Especially noteworthy is the work being led by the Youth for a future that will be their present.  And It is paramount to support the work to protect and steward the environment by honoring and highlighting the work of indigenous peoples. The Indigenous Environmental Network is an extraordinary alliance in which to learn from and give resources to.  A perfect way to begin this program and series.