River personhood - Episode 9 (with Erin O'Donnell)

In this episode of 'Law at the End of the World', hosts Elizabeth Macpherson and Cristy Clark interview Dr Erin O'Donnell, water law expert and author of 'Legal Rights for Rivers', about her journey from desert ecology to pioneering research on river personhood and Indigenous water justice.Erin discusses her groundbreaking work on legal rights for rivers, her role on the Birrarung Council, the voice of Melbourne's Yarra River, and her current research exploring how treaty processes could address 'aqua nullius' and increase traditional owner power in water governance. The conversation covers research methodologies that prioritise Indigenous partnership and reciprocity, the temporality of relational governance, and practical approaches to recognising rivers as living entities. The episode concludes with updates on significant environmental law developments including the ICJ climate advisory opinion and recent legislative changes across jurisdictions.Dr Erin O'Donnell The bill that will torch Māori-Crown relationsResponse to the Government’s limitations on judicial review under the Fisheries ActResource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill 105-3 (2024))Millewa-Mallee native title win gives traditional owners exclusive rightsCowichan Tribes v. CanadaInternational Law and Posthuman TheoryThe Māori values that make good sense in scienceObligations of States in respect of Climate ChangeInter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory OpinionRiver Test MotionUnyoke the Sciences From the HumanitiesWould you like to leave us a comment about our show? send us a note hereVisit our podcast website - where you can find more information, including the show notes. You can also find us on the following platforms:LinkedIn - Liz & CristyBluesky - Liz & CristyOur websites - Liz & Cristy