iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Come work with me @dukeenvironment.bsky.social! The Division of Environmental Social Systems (ESS) at the Nicholas School of the Environment invites applications for the Clarence F. Korstian Professor of Forest Economics & Management... academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/32409 #Environment #Academia

academicjobsonline.org

Duke University, NSOE-Faculty

Job #AJO32409, Clarence Korstian Professor of Forest Economics and Management, NSOE-Faculty, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, US

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Although I left @ncstate.bsky.social ~5 years ago, my recorded #EnvironmentalJustice lesson is still part of the online orientation course taken by incoming students & their families: "Wicked Problems, Wolfpack Solutions." This year, >1300 new students completed the course! doi.org/10.52750/427...

doi.org

Climate Change and Environmental Justice

Dr. Ryan Emanuel discusses the inequities of climate change in terms of who is impacted. He introduces how "seven generations thinking" is one way to reduce inequities and environmental harm.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

First Day of Class in my 20th year as a professor! This fall I'm teaching my usual grad-level course in Environmental Justice and also co-teaching two special, year-long courses in Indigenous studies through Duke's Bass Connections program. This is an off year for my graduate hydrology course. #FDOC

Selfie of Ryan standing in front of a dark blue sign reading "Duke, Grainger Hall, Nicholas School of the Environment." Ryan is wearing a nice, button-down shirt, a blue baseball cap, and a corn necklace. Leafy green trees almost completely obscure pale blue sky in the background. Ryan is smiling.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

I have a sixth sense, but only for knowing when my dishwasher is nearly out of rinse aid. It may be the most useless supernatural power.

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Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Matt Stone @mynameismattstone.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Julian Pierce would have been the first Lumbee Superior Court judge in county history. It would have finally given Lumbee people a voice. They elected him anyway, ten weeks dead, by two thousand votes. My great-uncle was the sheriff. Here’s what I found. thegrounded.ghost.io/the-election...

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Pretty sure I got my Bsky invitation from the amazing @staycurious.bsky.social. I only stuck with microblogging b/c @atkinsjeff.bsky.social said I was “crushing Twitter” during an interview years ago for the Major Revisions Podcast. Those two equipped me to float over here as the bird site burned. 😬

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Great #SciComm advice - would like it twice if I could!

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

These acknowledgments & some specific follow-up actions will be important for rebuilding trust in tribal government. I view the whole situation as an unforced error, but I think we have an opportunity to learn from it & grow stronger as a nation.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

To their credit, some tribal leaders have already begun to issue public statements acknowledging that the amendment proposal was rushed & lacked transparency. They acknowledge opponents raised important concerns about procedure & substance. They promise to do better.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Last night, when the election outcome became clear, the tribal chairman announced on Facebook that he wouldn’t revive gaming discussions during the remainder of his term. But the election outcome does not foreclose the possibility of gaming or future discussions - it only says “not like this.”

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

See, the tribal government’s PR campaign framed the election as a yes/no vote on a casino (and associated economic development) rather than a suite of structural changes to the constitution. And in the end, their framing became something of a self-fulfilling prophecy…

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

So folks who are surprised by the “no“ result probably missed the fact that Lumbees weren’t actually voting to authorize gaming or a casino. IMO, these folks either haven’t been paying attention, or they only encountered the tribal government’s *heavy* PR campaign in support of a “yes” vote…

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Some in the accountability faction (myself included) think the vote could have easily swung the other way if the tribal government had held an up or down referendum on gaming instead of holding a special election to remove the referendum requirement entirely!

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The problem with the N&O’s headline & description is that they ignore the large faction of Lumbees who don’t oppose gaming but who voted against constitutional changes they judged to be misguided and harmful. (Again - in the spirit of full disclosure, I was one of these opponents.)

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Nagem’s Border Belt piece covers the story fairly well, and you should read it entirely. It’s better than today’s coverage by the @newsobserver.com (the state’s newspaper of record), which describes the election result as a ”no” vote on gaming. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

newsobserver.com

Lumbee tribe votes ‘No' on gaming, nixing plans for casino on Interstate 95

The tribe gained long-sought federal recognition in December, which allowed them to pursue gaming, a possibility rejected by the majority of 68,000 members.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

My note notwithstanding, it’s no surprise that the amendment failed to pass. The opposition comprised 2 major factions - government accountability and moral objection groups - whereas proponents were limited mainly to the economic development faction. (Again, my “factions” are oversimplified.)

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

NOTE: Of course there are nuances to all of these arguments, and the three groups that I describe are not mutually exclusive, but this is a skeet thread and NOT longform journalism or academic research. These are my personal observations & assessments as an individual insider (& amendment opponent).

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

In addition to the accountability and economic development factions, a third major group emerged, opposing the amendment on moral grounds. This faction rejected gambling and casinos generally on religious and/or cultural grounds. (See NOTE below!)

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Meanwhile, the economic development group backed a “yes” vote. Some in this camp rationalized the unaccounted for ~$3M as trivial compared to future income from a casino… the cost of doing business. (See NOTE below!)

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The larger accountability group also pointed to lack of transparency about the tribal government’s recent 200+ acre land acquisition for a casino, especially the whereabouts of an apparent ~$3M profit to an anonymous intermediary on the land deal. (See NOTE below!)

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

My own opinions aligned best with the accountability group, and I supported a grassroots effort led by Lumbee women & elders (including one of the nation’s top federal Indian law practitioners, Arlinda Locklear). The group disagreed with both substance & process of amendments. votenodemandbetter.com

votenodemandbetter.com

Vote NO. Demand Better!! — Lumbees United for Accountability

Lumbees United for Accountability is not an anti-gaming coalition. The Lumbee people should decide on gaming — and they deserve a referendum or a better amendment with real oversight so any gaming mon...

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The initial mischaracterization of the election - along with the timing, pace, & scope of the proposed constitutional changes - raised red flags around government accountability for some Lumbees, while others viewed the rapid constitutional changes as positive & necessary for economic development.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The amendment itself required adoption through a special election, & proponents (including some tribal leaders) pitched this election as the actual “gaming referendum” - even though gaming authorization wasn’t explicitly on the ballot and our rules differ between referenda & special elections.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

But in April, tribal leaders surprised Lumbee citizens with a proposed constitutional amendment to (1) strip the referendum requirement for gaming, (2) change the geographic definition of tribal territory, and (3) insert procedural language into the constitution about gaming regulation.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Background: Lumbee constitution states that any governmental action affecting the “fundamental rights” of Lumbees must be authorized by a referendum. Pursuit of gaming is one such action. Tribal citizens presumed a referendum would take place sooner or later, at which time we’d weigh in on a casino.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Yesterday, Lumbee voters rejected the tribal government‘s bid to amend constitutional language on gaming. If you want to learn more, read this great report from Sarah Nagem of the Border Belt Independent! Then (if I may humbly suggest) read my longish thread below.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

New essay in the latest issue of @ecotonemagazine.bsky.social in which I reflect on #ClimateChange, racism, memory, & more. I wrote the 1st draft back in 2020-2021 as part of a preface for ON THE SWAMP. As the book evolved, this piece fell to the wayside. I'm glad it finally found a home in Ecotone!

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Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Ecotone Magazine @ecotonemagazine.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Today we’re featuring Ryan E. Emanuel’s “Countermemories and Climate Change,” a Climate Annotation on memory, oppressive history, and understanding. Free to read online for the next two weeks. ecotonemagazine.org/climate-anno... @WaterPotential.bsky.social

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

ON THE SWAMP is a Silver winner of the 2026 Nautilus book awards, and I’m grateful for the recognition. The book explores #EnvironmentalJustice through perspectives of Lumbee & other Indigenous peoples of present-day eastern North Carolina. Check it out! uncpress.org/978146967832...

Nautilus Book Award poster showing silver medal and open book against a red background.

Cover image from On the Swamp: Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice

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Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Johnnie Jae @johnniejae.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

What Landback isn't is a demand for Non-Natives to hand over their housekeys or master plan to rid the land of Non-Natives. Landback is a framework, a set of ideas & possibilities that can take very different shapes depending on the land in question, the tribe involved and people doing the work.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Great visit to University of Minnesota this week. I gave a seminar on environmental justice for environmental science & had conversations on topics ranging from the challenges of confronting colonialism in academia to the joys of finding a good conference roommate. I also squeezed in 2 short runs.

Budding trees overhang the Mississippi River along the East Bank path in Minneapolis. In the foreground, last year’s tall grass glows in the setting sun. The wide river flows in the background while shadowy trees cover the far bank.

The sun begins to set over the Franklin Avenue bridge across the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. The silhouette of an empty park bench is visible in the foreground while the bluffs along the west bank rise in the background.

A turkey prepares to eat a donut that has been discarded in the grass outside of a dorm on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Lastly, it’s incorrect to include Sampson, Bladen, & Columbus Counties in the description of Lumbee territory. These counties belong to Coharie and Waccamaw Siouan service areas, & their people (not Lumbee) largely live there. More Lumbees likely live in the Triangle than in those counties.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

TL;DR - Instead of a referendum to authorize gambling, Lumbees (likely a small number of us) will vote about who has the power to authorize gambling, a vote that raises other questions related to constitutionalism and government transparency.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Hanging over it all, we tend not to vote in large numbers, especially in tribal government elections & referenda. So it is possible that a very small number of Lumbee people will decide the question for all 60k of us.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

In any case people won’t actually vote to authorize casinos or gambling as the headline reads. That the vote is described as such (by proponents of the constitutional changes and by the media) adds to the controversy.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The vote includes other proposed changes to our Constitution, which makes it more controversial than a clean referendum on whether or not to pursue gambling.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Lumbees will instead vote whether to preserve the right to decide on gambling by a referendum of tribal citizens (listed among several fundamental rights in our 2001 Constitution), or whether we cede that right to tribal government.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Side note: Attend Duke University’s powwow this Saturday, April 18, and find me for a chance to win a free copy of ON THE SWAMP. duke.campusgroups.com/CMA/rsvp_boo...

duke.campusgroups.com

Powwow 2026 - Center for Multicultural Affairs

Duke's annual Powwow 2026 in collab with NASIA and CMA

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

The Lumbee River in the larger story of colonialism, survival, and Indigenous environmental justice: (Not #OpenAccess, but available in many libraries.) uncpress.org/978146967832...

uncpress.org

On the Swamp

Despite centuries of colonialism, Indigenous peoples still occupy parts of their ancestral homelands in what is now Eastern North Carolina—a patchwork quil...

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

This year, @americanrivers.bsky.social placed the Lumbee River on its list of Most Endangered Rivers due to contamination from PFAS & other “forever chemicals.” See their write-up here 👇🏽. I’m also dropping links below to some of my research on river’s environment, history, & cultural significance.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

The severity of the western US snow drought notwithstanding, it warmed my heart to hear Kelsey Jencso—Montana State Climatologist & a friend of 20+ years—on the radio yesterday. He says the segment was recorded 2 weeks ago, which makes the situation all the more dire. www.npr.org/2026/04/08/n...

npr.org

Light snowpack is setting up conditions for drought and fires in the U.S. West

The West has had one of the worst winters for snowpack on record. The lack of snow is causing drought across much of the reason and spelling trouble for communities.

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