Indigenous Environmental Network
About Indigenous Environmental Network
Born from a 1990 national gathering of tribal grassroots youth and Indigenous leadership in response to environmental assaults on Indigenous lands and waters, the Indigenous Environmental Network represents a powerful movement rooted in love for Mother Earth and commitment to protecting all living things. Located in Bemidji, Minnesota, IEN emerged from communities facing toxic waste dumps, nuclear waste storage facilities, and industrial contamination—challenges that sparked a vision for collective action and healing.
What sets IEN apart is its foundation in Indigenous traditional knowledge, spiritual practices, and original instructions that guide sustainable community development. The organization honors both youth and elders, recognizing their essential roles in creating environmental and economic justice. Since hiring its first staff in 1995, IEN has grown into the oldest Indigenous-based and grassroots environmental network in North America, serving as the eyes and ears of tribal grassroots communities, traditional leadership, and disenfranchised tribes and Alaska villages.
IEN's commitment extends beyond environmental protection to affirming cultural and spiritual rights, promoting healthy Indigenous lifestyles, and building economically sustainable communities. The organization's work encompasses education, empowerment, and strategy development that respects natural laws and the Circle of Life. Through decades of dedicated service from its Bemidji headquarters, IEN continues to inspire hope and courage among Indigenous peoples, demonstrating that meaningful environmental and economic justice is achievable when communities unite around a common vision of restoration and harmony with the natural world.