150 utilized the Indigenous philosophy of “Buen Vivir” to integrate the “Rights of Nature” into their constitution.16 The involvement of Indigenous communities raises the stakes and can often fulfill the criteria of identifying a devoted guardian, recognizing the presence of an unnatural threat and adding an urgent theological perspective. Though, it’s important to recognize that Indigenous communities that push for natural rights do not exist in every country … [though] the power that [they] hold should not be underestimated.” Furthermore, the benefit Indigenous communities have on nature may go both ways: “by codifying indigenous values into law, nations afford more respect to indigenous beliefs and rights”.17 The Case of the Fox River. The purpose of outlining the concept and examples above is to recognize that practically, the Fox River is not a good candidate for personhood. The fight to deliver a natural entity personhood status is extremely difficult, and in the case of the Fox River, the odds are not in its favor. It spans two states making it difficult to appoint a guardian. While there are many dangerous pollutants of the river, the threat is not urgent (though that may absolutely change in the future). Additionally, suits against corporate polluters of the Fox River through the more traditional path of humanfocused threats have been pursued and successful, resulting in over one billion dollars in clean-up and restoration projects, leaving little to be desired from personhood distinction.18 The Native American population in major areas near the Fox River is miniscule with an average of 0.62% of total population (between Naperville, IL (0.2%) ; Schaumburg, IL (0.6%); McHenry, IL (0.1%); Burlington, WI (0%); Milwaukee, WI (0.56%); and Mukwonago, WI (0.4%) ),19 illustrating that 16 Id 17 Id 18 “U.S. Files PCB Cleanup Lawsuit against 12 Polluters of Wisconsin's Fox River,” The United States Department of Justice, September 16, 2014, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-files-pcb-cleanup-lawsuit-against-12-polluterswisconsin-s-fox river#:~:text=The%20Superfund%20lawsuit%2C%20brought%20jointly,Fox%20River%20and%20Green%20Bay. 19 U.S. Census Bureau, generated by Nooriyah Doriwala. <U.S. Census Info> (November 12, 2022)
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