Heyy, welcome back! Exciting news: there is some good climate news sprinkled throughout this issue, so please enjoy. ;)
SCOTUS upholds the Indian Child Welfare Act
In an unexpected turn of events, Brackeen v. Haaland passed 7-2. According to The Nation,
The Indian Child Welfare Act was passed in 1978 to address the epidemic of white families’ adopting Native American children and taking them out of their tribal communities, over the objection of those communities. The ICWA mandates that the wishes of tribal nations take precedence when removing a Native child from their birth parents, and that preference should be given to placing children with Native families. Prior to the ICWA, over 25 percent of Native children were being removed from their birth parents, and 85 percent of those children were placed outside their families and communities.
Based on past SCOTUS judgments (aka overturning Roe v. Wade and ruining our lives), no one was expecting this result, but obviously it’s a good sign. Oddly enough, one Republican, Neil Gorsuch, is a staunch proponent of tribal rights…. but lacks empathy for any minority or progressive issue that affects everyone, like climate change.
The Nation writes,
Gorsuch says his colleagues are wrong, and the way he does it gives real insight into why Gorsuch is a defender of Native American rights. Gorsuch says that the bankruptcy code specifically pierces the sovereign immunity of “foreign” governments and “domestic” governments, but that tribal governments are neither. He writes: “Instead, the Constitution’s text—and two centuries of history and precedent—establish that Tribes enjoy a unique status in our law.”
Is there hope in D.C. and beyond? I think so, but mainly because what else can we do (besides constantly demanding change)?
Further reading:
A Fort Worth Couple Challenged the Indian Child Welfare Act. They Lost. (TexasMonthly)
The Seed Keeper - a powerful novel about an indigenous woman (as well as three others) who ends up in foster care as a child, gets married and lives a whole life before finding her way back home after 20+ years. One of my friends was reading it on Goodreads (thanks, Kate!) and it sounded interesting, so I’m reading it, too.
Also friend me on Goodreads so we can all read together! :D
Environmental movies to watch this summer!
Wild (2014) - Based on a memoir of the same name by Cheryl Strayed who hikes the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself after her divorce and mother’s passing. I have not yet read it or watched the movie, but it’s on my list!
Over the Hedge (2006) - I saw @emmajanegeisler (Instagram) mention this on her story, and it’s true!! It’s a Dreamwork movie that’s anti-urbanization and anti-HOAs, and despite it being for kids it’s pretty funny. :)
The Lorax (2012) - No explanation needed!
Wall-E (2008) - Offers a great perspective on our current direction if we don’t stop and appreciate our planet and greenery before it’s too late!
In-N-Out Burger, Meta fight California climate change bill (KTVU) - Obviously this isn’t good, but just a reminder that all companies profit off of our climate crisis (among other exploitations) and will do anything to keep making more money… so consider boycotting these companies (or just give them less money) if you’re able!
7 Clean And Sustainable Sunscreens Good For Your Skin (Sustainable Baddie)
The ECO CHIC Summer Reading List!
Rooftop Solar Grew Nearly 50 Percent Globally Last Year (YaleEnvironment)
on Substack - Weekly book recs!Wrap-up
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed!!
Thanks for the shout out!
I’ve read all the books on your list and have been meaning to watch Wild (I’m a huge Reese Witherspoon fan)... Reading a book by a German author right now about how the Berlin Wall affected families etc. - it’s in German and not sure if it’s been translated yet.