Air Sovereignty

The Air Sovereignty project explores the idea that the airspace above Indigenous lands may carry responsibilities and jurisdictional considerations similar to those connected to the land itself.

Within Indigenous legal and cultural perspectives, land is often understood as encompassing everything on, above, and beneath it, including water, air, and natural resources. This research initiative examines how that perspective may intersect with economic development, governance, and stewardship of airspace.

Through this work, NIEPI is exploring emerging legal, environmental, and economic questions related to airspace and Indigenous jurisdiction. The project contributes to the broader Lands pillar of the National Indigenous Economic Strategy, which recognizes that land stewardship and economic prosperity are deeply interconnected.