Native Defenders of The Environment

In August, we released our fifth Native Trailblazers book "Native Defenders of the Environment." These five books are focused on building reading skills in Native American children and youth by providing them with inspiring stories and biographies of prominent Native American leaders in the community. The goal of these books is to instill confidence in students and help them achieve the opportunity of higher education by improving their reading skills at a young age when honing these skills is tied to future academic success.

"Native Defenders of the Environment" follows the lives and work of eleven Native people dedicated to saving the earth from ecological destruction. The individuals profiled work to defend the environment and the rights of Native people in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska; the tar sands in Alberta, Canada; Black Mesa in Arizona; nuclear-free zones; and other sites of environmental action across North America.

“Native leadership emerges from many facets of our community, and 'Native Defenders of the Environment' shares the story of brave leaders. The beauty of their words and actions is brought to light, and the greatness of indigenous worldviews and optimism for the future inspire us.” --Winona LaDuke, FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF WHITE EARTH LAND RECOVERY PROJECT, Executive Director of Honor the Earth