Native American environmental leader, author, politician, and economist Winona LaDuke will be giving the keynote address during a Sustainability Forum at the University of Minnesota Morris on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at 5:45 p.m. in the Science Auditorium. Her presentation is, “Hemp as a Renewable Resource in Agriculture and Structural Development.”
LaDuke, Mississippi Band of Anishinaabe, is an industrial hemp grower and co-founder of Honor the Earth with the Indigo Girls, as a platform to raise awareness of and money for Indigenous struggles for environmental justice. Nationally, LaDuke is a two-time vice presidential candidate with Ralph Nader for the Green Party. Globally, she is known as a leader in the issues of cultural-based sustainable development strategies and renewable energy in Native American communities.
The Sustainability Forum will focus on the pillars of sustainability through the lens of Indigenous and underrepresented populations. This special event was planned and will be convened by the Morris Campus Student Association (MCSA).
MCSA sustainability officer and lead event organizer, Amalia Galvan ’24, Shoreview, shared, "It was really important to the leadership of MCSA to hear Native voices. This event is amplifying Native perspectives on sustainability. Indigenous people have been on the forefront of sustainable practices in the past and present. We are excited to hear what our speakers are thinking about!"
The Sustainability Forum begins at 4:30 p.m. with three, 15-minute presentations. The first is by Dr. Michelle Montgomery, enrolled Haliwa Saponi/descendant Eastern Band Cherokee, Associate Professor and Chair, Division of Social and Historical studies in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington, Tacoma. Her topic is “Embracing Mindfulness in a Climate Justice World.”
Next, Dr. Teresa Peterson, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota & citizen of the Upper Sioux Community will share her practices of gardening, foraging, and preserving foods and her love of feeding friends and family. Her presentation is titled, “Makoce Kin Mitakuye - My relative the land.”
The final short presentation is on “Solar Energy as a Renewable Resource” and will be offered by the group, 8th Fire Solar. Composed mainly of White Earth Tribal members or residents, 8th Fire Solar is lighting the way to a sustainable future by assembling high-quality, energy-efficient, Native-made solar thermal panels for heating homes and small businesses.
Following LaDuke’s keynote, there will be a Q&A panel with the presenters. Additionally, an after-party will be held in Oyate Hall in the Student Center that will include Indigenous food, a plant give-away, and interactive demonstration tables where researchers, organizations and clubs promote their work and meet with attendees.
In addition to MCSA, the Sustainability Forum is sponsored by Sustainability Club; Office of Sustainability; Office of Equity, Diversity and Intercultural Programs; the Campus Activities Council;the Native American Student Success program; and the Native American and Indigenous Studies and Environmental Studies disciplines.