Celebrating the Historic Rights of Nature Resolution for Longperson Waterway in the Smokies

The Longperson waterway, stretching over 790 miles through the Great Smoky Mountains, has achieved a groundbreaking legal milestone. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Council unanimously passed a Rights of Nature resolution that grants Longperson legal personhood. This means the waterway is now recognized as a legal subject with the right to exist, flourish, regenerate, and flow freely. This historic decision marks one of the first times in North America that a waterway has been given such recognition, and it was led by an all-female and youth-led team.

Longperson waterway in the Great Smoky Mountains, granted legal personhood

What Legal Personhood Means for Longperson

Granting legal personhood to Longperson means the waterway is no longer treated as property or a resource to be exploited. Instead, it has rights similar to those of a person. These rights include:

• The right to exist and maintain its natural processes

• The right to regenerate and recover from damage

• The right to flow freely without obstruction or pollution

  
  

This legal framework shifts the focus from human-centered use to respecting the waterway’s intrinsic value. It allows the EBCI Tribal Council and community advocates to take legal action on behalf of Longperson if its rights are violated.

The Significance of an All-Female and Youth-Led Effort

The Rights of the Longperson resolution stands out because it was the first all-female-led and second youth-led Rights of Nature effort in the United States. This highlights the growing role of women and young people in environmental leadership and advocacy. Their involvement brings fresh perspectives and a strong commitment to protecting natural ecosystems for future generations.

The success of this resolution demonstrates how diverse voices can drive meaningful change in environmental policy, especially within Indigenous communities that have long-standing relationships with the land and water.

Why This Resolution Matters Now

Longperson faces serious threats from pollution, erosion, development pressures, habitat loss, and climate change. These challenges put the waterway’s health and the surrounding ecosystems at risk. Recognizing Longperson as a legal person creates a powerful tool to address these threats more effectively.

The resolution comes at a critical moment when many waterways across the country are under pressure from human activities. It sets a precedent for other Indigenous nations and communities to follow, encouraging a shift toward protecting natural systems through legal rights.

The Role of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

The EBCI Tribal Council’s unanimous approval of this resolution reflects their deep connection to the land and water. For the Cherokee people, waterways are sacred and essential to their culture, spirituality, and survival. By granting Longperson legal personhood, the council affirms these values and strengthens their ability to protect the waterway.

The council also plans to establish a Tribal Rights of Nature Task Force. This group will focus on ongoing advocacy, monitoring, and enforcement of Longperson’s rights. It shows a long-term commitment to stewardship and environmental justice.

What This Means for Environmental Advocacy

The Rights of Nature movement is gaining momentum worldwide. It challenges traditional legal systems that treat nature as property and instead recognizes ecosystems as living entities with rights. The Longperson resolution adds to this growing body of work by demonstrating how Indigenous leadership can shape new legal frameworks.

This victory encourages other communities to explore similar approaches to protect rivers, forests, and other natural areas. It also highlights the importance of youth and women in driving environmental progress.

How You Can Support the Rights of Nature

Supporting the Rights of Nature movement can take many forms:

• Learn about local ecosystems and the threats they face

• Support Indigenous-led environmental initiatives

• Advocate for legal protections for natural places in your community

• Participate in or donate to organizations working on Rights of Nature campaigns

  
  

Every action helps build a stronger movement to protect the planet’s vital ecosystems.