As federal environmental priorities shift, sovereign Native American nations have their own plans

Tribal governance takes a long view based in Native peoples’ deep history with these lands.

By: Alyssa Kreikemeier, University of Idaho, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 11, 2026

Words: 1,411

Last Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago

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By Alyssa Kreikemeier, University of Idaho

Long before the large-scale Earth Day protests on April 22, 1970 – often credited with spurring significant environmental protection legislation – Native Americans stewarded the environment. As sovereign nations, Native Americans have been able to protect land, water and air, including well beyond their own boundaries.

Their actions laid the groundwork for modern federal law and policy, including national legislation aimed at reducing pollution. Now the Trump administration is …

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