Indigenous Environmental Justice in U.S. and Canada Sport Stadiums

Abstract

Environmental justice is interwoven with calls for Indigenous Justice for reconciliation in the aftermath of colonization of the Americas. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified colonialism as a contributing factor in the current climate crisis. Calls for action to address planetary decline do not end with national governments, corporations, or individual citizens; they are also inclusive of professional sport and affiliated stadiums. Indigenous Environmental Justice (IEJ) recognizes the injustices brought about by settler colonialism and presents a framework to understand the Earth itself as a living being. By exploring Indigenous land loss alongside the establishment of professional sports stadiums in the United States and Canada, we can gain a deeper understanding of what it means to truly be responsible stewards of our planet. This chapter explains why acknowledgment of Indigenous land, engagement and partnership with Indigenous Nations and communities, and ownership by Indigenous Peoples themselves are critical to achieving IEJ.