Imagined as a country, the Ocean would rank as the world’s fourth-largest economy, valued at approximately $24 trillion, and would exercise sovereignty over 70 percent of global territory. Dare we dream of an Ocean Nation—a government of representatives selected through expertise rather than nationality, a transboundary bioregion that can activate hard-fought Earth (and marine) law?

On January 8th, 2026, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council unanimously approved a Rights of Nature (RoN) resolution for the Longperson, a 790 mile long interconnected water system whose headwaters begin in the Great Smoky Mountains and whose feet stretch to the sea. The resolution was presented by the North American Indian Women Association (NAIWA) Daughters, an all-female, youth-led group of Indigenous environmental protectors and advocates. NAIWA Daughters shared a moving testimonial to the Council as the culmination of 18 months of community outreach, research, prayer, and hard work. This historic event marks the first all women-led RoN resolution passed in the United States.