The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline through their traditional territory led to a movement that emphasized tribal sovereignty. In Utah, the Bear’s Ears Inter-tribal Coalition led an historic collaborative movement, harnessed by the sovereignty of tribes, that established the Bear’s Ears National Monument.
Tribal sovereignty has often had to compete with a social justice and civil rights project framing in both of these movements. The role of tribal sovereignty is often not fully understood in federal and state policy circles.
This workshop will provide an overview of the Roots of tribal sovereignty and its role in the federal government. Additionally, it will provide a short survey of the meaning of political, economic, and cultural sovereignty from Tribal perspectives. Lastly, it will focus on the differences between civil rights, social justice and tribal sovereignty. This will be explained through the case study of Bears Ears and the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Presenters include:
Dr. Colleen O'Neill
James Singer, Ph.C.
Moroni Benally, Ph.C.
and other invited guest.