Clean Lakes 101

media release: lean Lakes Alliance is proud to host an educational presentation on The Rights of Nature, a groundbreaking concept that challenges traditional perspectives on natural resource protection. The Clean Lakes 101 Science Café will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2024 from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. at The Edgewater. Attendees will hear from Ho-Chunk member Samantha Skenandore, a federal Indian law and Tribal law attorney, who will share how Indigenous wisdom, legal frameworks, and grassroots activism come together to advocate for the rights of our natural world. 

“As a part of a formal partnership with the Ho-Chunk Nation through our Teejop (Four Lakes) Initiative, we are on a journey to center Indigenous wisdom and perspectives into our programs and events.” said Clean Lakes Alliance Founder & Executive Director James Tye.

The Rights of Nature proposes that ecosystems, natural entities, and even the Earth itself possess inherent rights, just like humans do. This First Nations-led movement is gaining momentum across the globe and aims to protect our natural resources in a new way.

Keynote Speaker: Samantha Skenandore is a Federal Indian and Tribal Law attorney and an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. She is currently an Equity Partner at Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP, a National Native American Law Firm, and previously served as an elected Associate Justice for the Ho-Chunk Nation Supreme Court. As a Rights of Nature proponent and activist, she supports advocating for laws that protect land and water.

The Teejop Initiative: A collaborative effort between Clean Lakes Alliance and the Ho-Chunk Nation aimed at fostering a cultural movement to care for the lakes, lands, and waters of the Greater Madison area, The Teejop initiative is rooted in the vision of creating a future where Greater Madison is widely renowned for its healthy lakes, lands, and waters, drawing inspiration from the rich history and reverence for the area held by its indigenous caretakers, the Ho-Chunk people.

Registration is free for current Friends and Lake Partners to Clean Lakes Alliance; this event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 upon registration. 

This event will be held at The Edgewater hotel – grand ballroom level 5 (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703). Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The program runs from 8 – 9 a.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on hotel capacity.

A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants via the confirmation email.

CLEAN LAKES 101 LECTURE SERIES

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP