The Prairie Land Potawatomi Nation has regained 1,500 acres in Illinois—Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area—originally promised to Chief Shab-eh-nay in an 1829 treaty but later seized by the federal government. This land transfer, signed into law by Governor Pritzker, rectifies a historical injustice stemming from the tribe’s temporary absence and subsequent illegal sale of their land to settlers. While not the precise original acreage, the returned land remains open to the public as a park, continuing its recreational function. The tribe, led by Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, plans future development, potentially including a hotel, to enhance the park’s amenities and economic opportunities.
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In a message to the UN’s 7th Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, Pope Francis underscored indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, emphasizing their inherent connection to land, water, and food as essential for their cultural preservation and dignified existence. He decried the harmful land seizures by corporations and states that threaten this right and indigenous communities’ livelihoods. The Pope championed the valuable contributions of indigenous heritage and traditions to society, advocating for their protection as a matter of justice and sustainable global progress. He concluded with a prayer for successful efforts to safeguard indigenous rights and ensure a future where all humanity thrives.
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The Pit River Tribe and environmental groups seek national monument status for the half-million-year-old Sáttítla volcano in northern California, safeguarding it from extractive industries and preserving its unique geological features and biodiversity. This remarkable landscape, crucial to the tribe’s creation narrative, boasts abundant plant and animal life, including endangered species, and sits atop a massive aquifer. Designation as a national monument would provide resources for conservation and align with the Biden administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, while also allowing for tribal co-stewardship. The tribe emphasizes its inherent right to participate in the decision-making process concerning this sacred land.
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John Q. Hosedrinker