In this episode, we revisit two stories we've covered in the past concerning indigenous rights. In the first half, Rebecca Nagle joins us to discuss the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act and why the legitimacy of the law is so important to tribal sovereignty. We also talk about the right's legal strategy in the last few decades and what that means for decisions at the Supreme Court.

In the second half we hear from Chairman of the Amah Mutsun tribal band, Valentin Lopez, about the most recent developments in their fight to protect the sacred site Juristac. The site was slated to be developed into a mine, but the tribe has continued to gain support from environmental organizations and activists. We talk about next steps and how you can get involved.  

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Featuring: 

• Rebecca Nagle: activist, writer and host of the podcast This Land
• Valentin Lopez: Chairman of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band  

Making Contact Team:

• Host: Salima Hamirani
• Interview Reporter: Robert Raymond
• Producers: Anita Johnson, Salima Hamirani, Amy Gastelum, and Lucy Kang
• Executive Director: Jina Chung
• Interim Senior Producer: Jessica Partnow
• Digital Marketing Manager: Taylor Rapalyea
• Engineer: Jeff Emtman  

Learn More: 

Rebecca Nagle's This Land podcast Amah Mutsun Tribal Band Amah Mutsun Land Trust The Response podcast Making Contact piece on ICWA Making Contact piece on Juristac