Participation plays a critical role in building a thriving democracy. But participation goes far beyond voting—it’s a powerful tool for reclaiming rights, restoring land, and ensuring justice for communities that have long been left out of decision-making. Which is why we’re looking at participation through an Indigenous perspective. Indigenous knowledge systems can inform and inspire broader movements for justice and democratic participation.   Guest:  Dr. PennElys Droz is the Power Building and Curriculum Coordinator with NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy organization.   Key Topics:  The founding of the U.S. Democratic system, which was built on Indigenous ideas from the Haudenosaunee (The Six Nations People) How the complex relationship between indigenous communities and the U.S. Democratic system impacts participation in environmental justice and beyond Voting rights and ongoing challenges to achieving a truly representative government The LandBack movement as participatory justice Solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement Indigenous Economies in contrast to colonial, capitalist, and extractive economies — like the petrochemical (plastic) industry.    Additional resources Explainer video on the Haudenosaunee’s influence on the US Constitution with a Haudenosaunee scholar. Explore more about NDN Collective here. Want more? If you haven’t already, subscribe to People over Plastic on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app to automatically get the latest episode each week. Show your support and leave a 5-star review ️️️️ People over Plastic is a project of Counterstream Media. Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.