The panel “Grounding Principles For Climate Justice, Rights, & Democracy with a Special Opening by Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation)” was held on Monday, June 23rd, during the Global

The panel “Grounding Principles For Climate Justice, Rights, & Democracy with a Special Opening by Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation)” was held on Monday, June 23rd, during the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond hosted by Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN), June 23-28, 2025.

PANELISTS:
— Osprey Orielle Lake, Assembly Convener, Executive Director, Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), Turtle Island/USA

— Casey Camp-Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Project Coordinator, Turtle Island/USA

— Zukiswa White, Project Specialist and Social Justice Consultant, South Africa

Organized by the Women’s Earth and Climate Network (WECAN), the Global Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Path to COP30 and Beyond brought together over 125 grassroots and frontline women leaders in all their diversity, global advocates, thought leaders, and policymakers representing 50 countries from around the world. During 25 unique panels, speakers showcased a diverse array of visions, projects, policy frameworks, campaigns, and movement strategies with which we can accelerate a bold and transformative path to a healthy and just world.

As humanity faces escalating climate and ecological crises, we seek to articulate a vision toward a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems;

As humanity faces escalating climate and ecological crises, we seek to articulate a vision toward a new legal framework and economy based on living in balance with Earth’s natural systems; where the rights of humans do not extend to the domination of nature. The Rights of Nature, one of the fastest growing global environmental movements in history, offers a systemic framework for change.

During the press conference, we heard from Rights of Nature advocates on how this framework can protect biodiverse ecosystems, Indigenous sovereignty, and human rights.

Press conference speakers included:
— Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca Nation), Ponca Nation Environmental Ambassador and WECAN Board Member and Movement Rights Board Member
— Osprey Orielle Lake, Executive Director of Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
— Nnimmo Bassey, Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, an ecological think tank; Steering Committee Member of Oilwatch International, Nigeria

At the press conference we also released a White Paper on the Legal Rights of Nature Framework co-authored by WECAN, Movement Rights, and the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature - GARN. Read the report here: https://www.wecaninternational.org/ron-report

Award-winning Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman joins us to discuss his book, "The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen," where he creates boldly seasoned foods that are vibrant, healthful, elegant, and

Award-winning Oglala Lakota chef Sean Sherman joins us to discuss his book, "The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen," where he creates boldly seasoned foods that are vibrant, healthful, elegant, and easy. The Sioux Chef’s healthful plates embrace venison and rabbit, river and lake trout, duck and quail, wild turkey, and abundant wildflowers. Contemporary and authentic, his dishes feature cedar braised bison, griddled wild rice cakes, amaranth crackers with smoked white bean paste, and more! The book was named one of the Best Cookbooks of 2017 by NPR, The Village Voice, Smithsonian Magazine, UPROXX, New York Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and others.

Get the book here: https://goo.gle/3Ydj9CX

Sean Sherman was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and has been cooking in Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana for the past twenty-seven years. He works as a caterer and food educator across the country through his business The Sioux Chef, based in South Minneapolis. He has earned plaudits and profiles in such venues as National Public Radio, Guardian UK, Saveur, and the New York Times, and 2018 James Beard Award Winner for Best American Cookbook.

Moderated by Ida Shen.