In the struggle to defend our climate and the earth, throughout the world and especially in North America, it is indigenous women who are leading the way.
The indigenous movement Idle No More recently released these series of videos to highlight several incredible women who are at the frontlines of fighting the oil and fracking industries. We want to show our gratitude to them and encourage everyone to listen to the words. Learn more about them here.
Ellen Gabriel (Mohawk)
Follow her on Twitter: @EllenGabriel1
“Human rights activist from Kanehsatà:ke, Ellen has spent years fighting for Indigenous rights. Ellen became well-known to the public when she was chosen by the People of the Longhouse and her community of Kanehsatà:ke to be their spokesperson during the 1990 “Oka” Crisis; to protect the Pines from the expansion of a 9 hole golf course in “Oka” and the removal of Kanien’kehá:ka ancestors from their burial ground. She is now a leading voice in fighting the Energy East and Line 9 tar sands pipelines.”
Graphic by Idle No More
Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara)
Follow her on Twitter: @mhawea
“Native Energy & Climate Campaign Organizer. She was born in North Dakota and grew up in an area known today as the Fort Berthold Reservation. She began working for the Indigenous Environmental Network as the Tribal Campus Climate Challenge (TCCC) Organizer in February 2007, engaging over 30 tribal colleges and working on projects ranging from initiating recycling programs and community tree plantings to small-scale community solar panel installations and community gardens. Her work has since expanded to the international arena, within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in an effort to create more awareness about international decision-making and its effect at the local level. Her current focus is on creating awareness about the environmentally and socially devastating effects of hydraulic fracturing due to severely limited regulations and protections, particularly on Tribal lands.”
Graphic by Idle No More
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers (Blackfoot, Sami)
Follow her on Twitter: @elle_maija
“She is a Blood and Saami organizer and member of the Blood Indian Tribe in Southern Alberta, Canada. She was part of an Indigenous women-led action to stop two thirds of their lands from being leased to Murphy Oil for fracking, including the drilling of the deepest frack (2.1 km deep) in the history of the sector. She and four other women were arrested and detained for intimidation because of their peaceful non-violent action.”
Graphic by Idle No More
Shelley A. Young (Mi’kmaq)
Follow her on Twitter: @ShelleyAYoung_
“She is a Mi’kmaq leader from Eskasoni First Nation. Shelley has been heavily involved in Elsipogtog and been on the front lines of the anti-fracking fight since the beginning, organizing numerous campaigns, sitting on panels, and conducting workshops at nearly every major university in the East Cfoast, along with high schools, to bring water protection and Aboriginal Rights awareness. Shelley also raised over $20,000 to help the Elsipogtog warriors legal costs and protest camp site.”
Graphic from Idle No More
Learn more about Idle No More’s activities during the People’s Climate March, including the “#Frack Off: Indigenous Women Leading Media Campaigns to Defend our Climate” event at The New School featuring these women. Click here