The Environmental Crisis on Native American Lands

In August, after nearly 400 years, the Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia have reacquired 465 acres of sacred land at Fones Cliff.

Fones Cliff is the tribe's ancestral home and is located along the Rappahannock River in Virginia. The protected area will now be publicly accessible and there are plans to educate the public about the tribe's history with a 16th century replica village and a program for trival youth on traditional river practices. 

The reacquisition of Fones Cliff not only has a cultural and historical impact, but a crucial benefit to the wildlife along the Rappahannock River. The area is home to one of the largest nesting populations of bald eagles on the Atlantic coast. 

This acquisition follows the growing movement for protection and reclaimation of Indigenous land in America. At 3 Generations we are continuing to monitor and sound the alarm about Native American & Indigenous communities and the environmental issues they face. 

At 3 Generations we have been telling the stories of the injustices suffered by Native Americans, their lands, and communities for over 10 years. We work to bring attention to the continued degradation of Indigenous lands and the vulnerability of native peoples. 

In late April 2022, Steven Donziger, the environmental and human rights lawyer who famously fought against Chevron, was finally released from house arrest. Donziger fought against the multinational energy corporation for the contamination of land in the Lago Agrio region of Ecuador, home to many Indigenous communities. This action by Donziger led to an all out assault by Chevron, resulting in one of the most bitter court cases in the history of environmental law. 

Along with the news of Donziger’s release, the fight against crude oil pipelines across Northern Minnesota continues. Environmental advocates and Indigenous tribes have ramped up efforts to fight against the construction of Line 3. If approved, the tar sands crude oil pipeline would violate the treaty of Anishinaabeg, infringing on the rights of the Ojibwe people and endangering their fishing, hunting, and cultural lifestyle. Several Indigenous organizations have led protests along the construction route against the very real fear of an oil spill over any of the 200 bodies of water that the pipeline would cross. 

At 3 Generations we are continuing to monitor and sound the alarm about Native American & Indigenous communities and the environmental issues they face.