Since time immemorial Indigenous peoples around the world have held a vast array of experiences and deep knowledge of the land, and its relationship to all of the natural world. Here on Turtle Island despite diverse cultural perspectives and protocols, we collectively understand that the answers lie upon and within the land. With increasing conversations surrounding the responsibility of environmental protection and restoration, including policy change and the Green New Deal, we must center Indigenous voices in the conversation, as we are the stewards of the land.
PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:
Robert Rice (African-American, Saponi, Catawba, Tuscarora - Bear Clan) is a student and community organizer living in Kahyonha:ke (Cleveland, Ohio). Robert has experience in organizing and mobilizing on behalf of Indigenous and Black liberation, and environmental awareness issues, including assisting in fundraisers for Standing Rock water protector camps. He is currently pursuing a degree in Cultural Anthropology/History, with a focus on African and Native American history. He seeks to utilize the education and skills he acquires to help revitalize, and maintain, cultural heritage within his own Indigenous community and abroad to promote decolonization and sovereignty. He also hopes to steadily engage this work by continuing to contribute to cultural and social building in the immediate community.
Dr. Sue Helper is the Frank Tracy Carlton Professor of Economics at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. She was formerly Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce and a member of the White House Staff.
Presented by the InterReligious Task Force on Central America and Sunrise Cleveland