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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

@waterpotential.bsky.social

4.9K followers 600 following 330 posts

Lumbee hydrologist, author, engaged scholar, & North Carolinian. Associate Professor at Duke studying water, ecosystems, climate change, environmental justice, & Indigenous rights. Book: ON THE SWAMP (UNC Press). he/him www.RyanEmanuel.com

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Jan 25

Misinformation about the presidential memo on Lumbee recognition is frustrating but not unexpected given the complexity of the issue. Here is a short FAQ followed by suggested readings to help clear the air.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 1d

Congrats to my friend & colleague Nancy Strickland Chavis for receiving the William Collins Smith Auburn Award for Advancing American Art! Nancy leads the Museum of the SE American Indian at UNC Pembroke & curated a major exhibit last year @ NC Art Museum. 👇🏽👏🏽
jcsm.auburn.edu/auburn-museu... #Lumbee

Auburn museum awards $25,000 to American scholar advancing creativity, innovation and experimentation – Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art

jcsm.auburn.edu

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 5d

Saw #OnTheSwamp today on displayat Birchbark Books in Minneapolis. I signed their copy and also got to sign their wall of authors!
#Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #Lumbee

Ryan’s book, On the Swamp, displayed on a wooden shelf next to Theory of Water and Manoomin. Background shows inside of Birchbark Books with a coffee mug and other merchandise in the background.

Outside View of Birchbark Books storefront. Blue door and awning visible along with chalkboard on sidewalk reading “Our door is open.”

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 6d

Just heard inspiring words from @ltgovflanagan.mn.gov about the importance of taking up space - #LandBack one conference room table at a time. Today is a showcase of #Indigenous excellence at the AISES National Conference in Minneapolis.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on projector screen at AISES National Conference.

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan speaking on stage at AISES National Conference. Large floral banner in background reads “AISES National Conference - We are all Scientists”

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 7d

Great thread on historical drainage of wetlands. 🧵👇🏽 #EnvHist

Philip Amies @amiesphilip.bsky.social · 7d

Why did humans drain wetlands, Fenland as an example,
by the turn of the nineteenth century only 50,000 acres of Cambridgeshire fenland had been drained, leaving 150,000 acres of waste and unimproved fen waterlogged by shallow floods. Malaria (ague) was endemic, believed to be caused by miasma.

Fenland dwelling on piles which raise home above flood level

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 16d

The Journal of Geophysical Research universe is getting out of hand.

Photo showing the passenger’s side door of a white pickup truck. Wording painted on the door reads “JGR Equipment Rental & Sales.”

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 19d

Finally back in North Carolina after a wonderful trip to UConn to speak about my book & meet amazing folks like Dr. Kat Milligan-McClellan (@napaaqtuk.bsky.social). And it was an honor to be part of their decades-long Teale Lecture series.

Dr. Kat Napaaqtuk❄️ @napaaqtuk.bsky.social · 19d

I feel very lucky to have heard Ryan Emmanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social talk yesterday and to have a one-on-one chat this morning. I could have talked to Dr. Emanuel for hours. Such cool work, and excellent perspectives on how to work close to and for your tribe while in academia.

Ryan Emmanuel, a person in a blue shirt wearing a necklace made of corn kernels and glass, stands behind a podium. On the very large screen next to him is a slide showing hi book, On the swamp, stories of survival in the face of radical environmental change

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 19d

Excited to be part of this event with Kirsten Squint next month, hosted by Erica Abrams Locklear as part of UNC Asheville’s Rising Waters series. Come join us! Registration link: www.unca.edu/events-and-n... #OnTheSwamp #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice

Flyer for UNC Asheville environmental literature event on October 30.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 21d

En route to Hartford for @uconn.bsky.social’s Teale Lecture series where I’ll share stories & lessons from ON THE SWAMP. Excited to reconnect w/ colleagues and meet new folks!

events.uconn.edu/institute-of... #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #OnTheSwamp

Teale Lecture: Dr. Ryan Emanuel (Duke University)

“On the Swamp: Fighting for Indigenous Environmental Justice” - Dr. Ryan Emanuel (Duke University)

events.uconn.edu

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Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

W. Carson Byrd @wcbyrdphd.bsky.social · 28d

Intriguing new article by Danielle Purifoy, James Bryan, & Sara Smith examining the Landback Abolition Project at UNC & asks ‘how do faculty, students, staff, & community of a 234-year-old colonial institution create the conditions for a structural shift in our relations toward land & education?’

Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

journals.sagepub.com

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 29d

Mom has 3 paintings in the 9|9 Native South art show, & one sold already at tonight’s opening! She is a lifelong artist but only recently began sharing her work publicly. I’m so proud of her! If you’re in Pembroke, check out the exhibition at UNCP’s Old Main.
www.uncp.edu/news/2025/mu... #EasternNC

Museum of the Southeast American Indian to host annual 9/9 Native South Art Show

The Museum of the Southeast American Indian at UNC Pembroke will present the 4th annual 9|9 Native South Art Show, a juried exhibition of Native art from across North Carolina and the Southeast. The e...

www.uncp.edu

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 29d

I first wrote about Whatley’s Consumer Energy Alliance connections back in July, on Facebook, shortly before he publicly announced his intention to run for US Senate in North Carolina. You can find a few more details in that post.

www.facebook.com/share/p/1CmQ...

#ncpol
#climatechange

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · 29d

Michael Whatley is an former oil & gas pipeline lobbyist. He was Exec. VP of Consumer Energy Alliance, a group that promoted major #fossilFuel pipelines—including Keystone XL, DAPL, & ACP—often through astroturf ops & greenwashing campaigns disguised as education programs. #ncpol #ClimateChange

NC Stories @ncstories.bsky.social · 29d

GOP Senate candidate Whatley: 'We don't need separation of church and state' #ncpol

GOP Senate candidate Whatley: ‘We don't need separation of church and state’

Michael Whatley and the American Renewal Project say more people of strong faith are needed in public office. Critics say the group promotes Christian nationalism and is dangerous for democracy.

www.wral.com

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Sep 5

Alumni profile of Kerry Bird (Lumbee, Sisseton-Wahpeton), director of North Carolina’s American Indian Heritage Commission. Kerry is an inspiring leader, a dedicated public servant, and an all-around great person!

withyou.washu.edu/profile/kerr... #Indigenous #WUSTL #NCpol

Kerry Bird - With You

Kerry Bird, MSW ’98, applied for a scholarship to study at the Brown School almost by chance — and last minute. Inspired by the possibility of making a meaningful impact in his community, he rushed ou...

withyou.washu.edu

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 29

Failed Atlantic Coast Pipeline still serves as a useful case study for policy research. Here's a new one.

"The clear fact is that Dominion & Duke Energy’s litigation budget could not handle the variety and diversity of various independent private nonprofit budgets."
ppar.thebrpi.org/vol-12-2025-...

Reflections on the Successful Movement to Stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline : Public Policy and Administration Review

Journal of Anthropology and Archaeology is a peer-reviewed international journal, which publishes original papers promoting theoretical, methodological and empirical developments in the discipline of ...

ppar.thebrpi.org

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 26

It’s back to school time - what are you reading? For the next 2 days, On the Swamp and other titles are 50% off at the publisher’s new website. Use discount code 01NEWSITE50.

uncpress.org/978146967832... #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice #OnTheSwamp @uncpress.bsky.social

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...

uncpress.org

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 21

I gave a keynote talk yesterday at the International Cartography Conference in Vancouver. I shared stories and lessons from my work on mapmaking for Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice. This week, I’ve met mapmakers from around the world & learned about cutting edge cartographic theory & tech. #ICC2025

Title slide from Ryan’s keynote showing a background map of wetlands of the Carolinas in bright green over a black background. Title reads “Mapping for Indigenous Environmental Justice, Ryan E. Emanuel, Ph.D., Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment.”

Augmented reality view of a Canadian Geographic map of the Great Lakes. The AR view shows in 3D the scene of Hiawatha confronting Tadodaho, during the retelling of Haudenosaunee history, superimposed over southern Lake Ontario.

Giant mural on side of building in downtown Vancouver that reads “LANDBACK” in red, surrounded by various tags and images.

Giant floor map version of the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. Approximately 8m by 10m in size.

Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Matthias Sprenger @matthiasprenger.bsky.social · Aug 21

Forest health in the Rocky Mountains declines, which is why we looked into drought resilience via in situ stable isotope measurements of soil & tree waters on daily basis. We found that aspen are adjusting their water uptake dynamics within days to water availability changes. doi.org/10.1029/2024...

Opportunistic Short‐Term Water Uptake Dynamics by Subalpine Trees Observed via In Situ Water Isotope Measurements

Tree water resources changed within a few days from snow dominated to higher share of rainfall as soils wetted up after a dry period Compensatory plant water uptake by aspen from the deep layer (...

agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 20

Cesium is what makes it bounce when it hits the table.

Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 20

Thanks to @massybooks.bsky.social for hosting a great book talk and signing thing evening in #Vancouver! Largest Indigenous book selection of any bookshop I’ve visited. It was cool seeing #OnTheSwamp shelved in the “Indigenous Politics” subsection—and right next to Nick Estes (whose book I teach).

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 19

Many Lumbee people correctly predicted this outcome back in January. I was one of them. In fact, Lumbees have called out Trump’s offensive pandering from the beginning, even as some of our politicians have gone all in on him.
bsky.app/profile/wate...

The Assembly @theassemblync.bsky.social · Aug 19

The Interior Department’s report, however, was met with less fanfare. Its central message, as best we can discern from people who have seen it: Keep asking Congress.

www.theassemblync.com/politics/lum...

After Trump Directive, Feds Send Lumbee Back to Congress for Recognition

An executive order asking the Department of the Interior to determine a path forward for the tribe seems to have led to the same answer the tribe has gotten for years.

www.theassemblync.com

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 15

Please check out my book talk next Tuesday at Massy Books in Vancouver, BC! #OnTheSwamp #Indigenous #EnvironmentalJustice

Massy Books @massybooks.bsky.social · Aug 14

Next week!!

📚 On the Swamp: Talk with Ryan Emanuel on Indigenous Environmental Justice
🗓 Tuesday, August 19th | 7 PM
📍 Massy Books, 229 E. Georgia St., Vancouver

www.eventbrite.ca/e/on-the-swa...

#MassyBooks #BookLaunch #VancouverEvent #VancouverBookstore #Vancouver #booksigning

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 14

Read this carefully researched and thoughtfully written story by @lisasorg.bsky.social on local water pollution in Durham. Sorg weaves together many concepts covered in my #EnvironmentalJustice course at Duke. I will definitely incorporate this article into my syllabus for the upcoming term!

Lisa Sorg @lisasorg.bsky.social · Aug 13

"Smells have been so bad at times that Durham police have been called in to look for dead bodies.”
This is the story of Brenntag, a chemical packaging co, a polluted creek that runs thru an Eastside Black community & DEQ 's failure to regulate for ~30 yrs
insideclimatenews.org/news/1308202...

An Environmental Justice Test Case for Trump’s EPA: A Creek That Smells Like Death - Inside Climate News

EPA expressed alarm at contamination in a creek near a predominantly Black neighborhood. Then the agency eliminated its civil-rights office and has taken no further action.

insideclimatenews.org

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Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Imani Gandy Corn 🎃 @angryblacklady.blacksky.app · Aug 13

not all gyros wear capes

Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · Aug 13

The DC sandwich guy has been charged with assault for shouting at a CBP officer, throwing a sub into his chest, and then running off.

"I did it. I threw the sandwich," he said while he was being processed.

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Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel @waterpotential.bsky.social · Aug 5

Sorry to Anthony Adams but that photo of Trump is giving serious meme vibes.

Reposted by Dr. Ryan E. Emanuel

Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali @mustafasantiagoali.bsky.social · Aug 5

“for barack, who dared the sky”
you wore your Black like a morning suit—
creased with hope, stitched in fire,
made the mic a pulpit
and the White House a choir.

they called it impossible.
you called it tuesday.
made yes we can
sound like truth on a school day.

your walk?
pure South Side sermon.👇🏾

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