Guided by Heritage, Fueled by Justice: Taleah’s Fight for Constitutional Rights and Historic Climate Victory in Montana
Youth plaintiff Taleah Hernandez giving a speech after Montana Supreme Court Hearing on July 10, 2024. Photo by Robin Loznak
Rooted in the strength of her Indigenous and Hispanic heritage, Taleah is one of the courageous youth plaintiffs in the landmark Held v. State of Montana lawsuit. In 2023, she and her fellow youth plaintiffs took their state government to court for worsening the climate crisis and violating their constitutional rights. After the first trial of its kind in the U.S., Judge Seeley issued a historic ruling wholly in their favor. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight Taleah, her pivotal role in this historic climate victory, and how her culture drives her relentless fight for climate rights and the protection of her land.
Check out her Q&A below:
1. Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired you to become involved in this lawsuit?
I grew up in Polson, Montana near the southeast bay of Flathead Lake and at the foot of the Mission Mountains on the ancestral lands of the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d’Oreille, and Kootenai tribes. I grew up exploring northwestern Montana’s many mountains, valleys, woods, and plains with my family and friends, who taught me to enjoy and value the nature that surrounded us. I was inspired to join the Held v. Montana lawsuit because I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my father and two oldest siblings, who have been strong environmentalists since I was a child. I wanted to advocate for the land I call home because I felt – and still feel to this day – that it was my responsibility to take an active role in protecting the land that raised me.
2. Judge Seeley ruled in your favor in August 2023. How did it feel to the Court hear your case and ultimately recognize your rights to a healthy climate?
It was a very powerful feeling to have the Court hear Held v. Montana. I felt exceptionally honored to share my story and the impacts caused by climate change that I experienced while growing up. I was also extremely proud of my fellow plaintiffs and grateful to our expert witnesses for the courageous stories and insights that they shared in court. When the Court ultimately recognized Montanans’ rights to a healthy climate, it felt surreal. I was overjoyed that Judge Seeley saw the merits of our case and ruled in our favor, and it was a very validating experience to be backed by the justice system, but I was also in shock that over three years’ worth of preparation and dedication had abruptly come to a conclusion. Of course, Held didn’t actually conclude there, but that moment was a landmark, and it felt like it.
3. What message do you have for other plaintiffs who are still fighting to have their cases heard at trial?
To the other plaintiffs who are still fighting to have their cases heard at trial, I would like to say that you are exceptionally courageous. I know the legal process and the fight to get to court might get frustrating but it’s important to foster hope and to remember what events and what values inspired you to take action. Please remember that you are fighting for the health and well-being of your community and thus, there are people fighting to support you too. Collective action finds strength in community, so don’t forget to draw inspiration from the strength of the people around you.
4. How does your heritage influence your perspective on environmental issues?
While I was born and raised in northwestern Montana, I also claim Taíno and Puerto Rican roots and an Austrian and Irish ancestry. Truth be told I’ve been pretty removed from my Puerto Rican heritage until recently, but my parents, family, and friends have always taught me to recognize the connection we have to the lands that raise us. They’ve also imparted upon me a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of whichever land I set foot on. Through their lessons I’ve developed a perspective on environmental issues that is pretty straightforward; I believe that we as a society need to take care of the health of the land, waters, and wildlife that provide for us above all other ambitions. My recent visits to my family in Puerto Rico have only strengthened these core beliefs. I have come to understand that environmental issues cannot be divided from the communities they affect, and that makes them community issues and issues of cultural preservation as well.
5. What message do you want to share with other young people, especially those in Hispanic communities, about climate activism?
The message I want to share with other young people, and especially Hispanic youth regarding climate activism, is a message about community that has been reiterated to me: Improvement and change begin at the community level before being translated to broader spheres. And putting all biases and “contentious” words aside, I think we need to recognize that our environment is an extension of our communities, and thus deserves the same devotion and attention that we would invest in the people around us. What I mean to say is that your voice, your intentions, and your actions matter in each space you use them, so be mindful. I want to urge you to engage in climate activism in your community, its surrounding areas, and your state. To me, that means melding thoughts, intentions, and actions together to incite change that improves the health of the environment; but activism is different for everyone. So, most of all, I want to urge you to get involved – be that from the level of investigating climate issues in your community, inciting conversations about how we interact with the world around us, or volunteering your time with environmentally focused groups – because it’s never too late to learn new things and put your education into action.