| The First Nations Environmental
Network (FNEN) is a Canadian organization composed
of individuals,
Indigenous Nations, and nonprofit groups working
to protect the environment. FNEN seeks to balance
mind, body, and spirit in defense of Mother Earth
through education, activism, and spiritual practice.
Drawing from First Nations teachings about respect
and gratitude for Mother Earth and all Creation,
FNEN has articulated a list of guiding principles
that include the continuation of Mother Earth’s
life-giving forces; the sacredness of all life;
faith in the Creator; honesty, caring, sharing,
and respect. Representing various First Nations
in Canada, FNEN is a diverse network, held together
by a shared commitment to the healing and defense
of Mother Earth, Indigenous peoples, and all Creation.
In addition to connecting grassroots indigenous
groups in Canada, FNEN collaborates with the Indigenous
Environmental Network (IEN) of the United States
(US) to create a united “Voice
for Mother Earth” throughout Turtle Island
(North America). Based on traditional knowledge
and teachings about Creation and the “Spirit
that moves through all things,” FNEN works
to ensure the well-being and continued existence
of Mother Earth and All Our Relations by addressing
such problems as pollution, deforestation, and
species extinction. Since its founding, FNEN has
supported numerous efforts of First Nations peoples
across North America to protect their communities,
traditional lands, sacred sites, and nonhuman
relations from deforestation, dam construction,
industrial pollution, nuclear waste dumping, and
commercial development. It has issued resolutions
supporting the protection of species, ecosystems,
and Indigenous communities; organized conferences,
gatherings, ceremonies, and public awareness events;
and worked with a host of other groups and organizations
on environmental and health issues. |
| Indigenous Tradition |
| Canada |
| 1992–Present |
Although FNEN was
officially founded in 1992, its roots go back
to 1986, when representatives
of First Nations sought national recognition
in the Canadian Environmental Network (CEN).
Although
its appeal was initially denied by CEN, the group
continued to meet to address shared concerns
about threats to the Earth, their own communities,
and
future generations. In 1995, FNEN was officially
accepted as an affiliate of CEN. In 2002, after
many difficult years of trying to bridge cultural
differences and with consensus from its Steering
Committee, FNEN resigned from the CEN stating
the need to preserve its own First Nations principles
and not be forced to assimilate non-Indigenous
practices. Since its founding, FNEN has held
annual “Voices for Mother Earth” gatherings,
formed numerous alliances with other Indigenous
and environmental
groups, and worked on a variety of campaigns
to protect the environment, Indigenous peoples,
and endangered species. In addition to protecting
sacred lands and territories of First Nations
people, FNEN has worked against old-growth logging,
dam construction, industrial pollution, nuclear
waste
dumping, strip mining, species extinction, and
habitat encroachment.
|
| “The First Nations Environmental Network is
a circle of First Nations people committed to protecting,
defending, and restoring the balance of all life
by honoring traditional Indigenous values and the
path of our ancestors. We encourage the work of
protecting, defending, and healing Mother Earth.
We desire and need to link grassroots Indigenous
people nationally and internationally to support
each other on environmental struggles and concerns.
We are obligated to leave footprints for our children
to follow by striving to live our life with traditional
values.” |
Indigenous Environmental Network
Other First
Nations Groups and Organizations across Canada
and internationally |
| None Listed |
| None Listed |
| None Listed |
First Nations Environmental Network
P.O. Box 394
Tofino, British Columbia
Canada V0R 2Z0
Ph: 250.726.5265
Fax: 250.725.2527
Email: councilfire@hotmail.com |
