A Tribal Lawyer Who Champions the Rights of Nature

Frank Bibeau’s life as a member of the Anishinaabe or Ojibwe people in northern Minnesota has largely been governed by his reservation’s tribal laws and customs. And manoomin—or wild rice—plays a central role in his culture as a primary food that requires protection. But what happens when the tribe’s right to manoomin is threatened by state and federal laws or industry? Another sticky lawyer is born.

After years as a state employee and journalist, Frank earned a law degree to find novel ways to help indigenous people maintain their rights. Thinking outside the box, he focused on creating written tribal codes and rights of nature that could be examined in U.S. courts and influence how environmental practices are managed. Listen as he tells his fascinating tale of taking on big government and corporations.

Chapters

• 1:56 Explanation of manoomin’s value to the Anishinaabe people.
• 3:10 Wild rice is central to their culture, providing 12 mos. of activities to prepare for the wild rice season.
• 7:01 How pipelines and oil spills have threatened manoomin.
• 9:35 Manoomin the plant sued the state of Minnesota for 5 billion gallons of water from an aquifer during a drought year.
• 12:53 Explaining the rights of nature actions.
• 20:00 Legal complexities of creating written tribal codes that can be examined in U.S. courts and governmental entities.
• 27:41 Tribes can’t rely on state or federal government to be allies. Only tribal courts uphold their laws.
• 30:51 Frank’s long path to law school.
• 35:34 Creating a tribal law practice by studying parts of the law used most against Indians.
• 39:52 His current practice as a tribal attorney.