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Part II: Stewards of the Land: Native American women’s contribution to America’s public land
The part II of this project has explored the role of Native American women activists, and unveil their contribution to protect our parks’ natural and cultural resources from their perspective. By creating and publishing a documentary of their stories, I am hoping to raise our awareness of American Indians’ land rights and their way of protecting environment in our parks through their eyes.
I have visited parks such as Olympic National Park in Washington, Arctic Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, Badlands in South Dakota and Alcatraz Island, a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California.
Currently, I am producing short videos that share stories I have collected, being on the road for multi-media presentations at schools and organizations, and exploring book publishing opportunity.
 Jamie Valadez In June 2010, the project has began with documenting a story of Jamie Valadez, a cultural activist and educator from the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe in Port Angeles, Washington.With Olympic Park Institute, Jamie co-led the Elwha Science Education Project in Olympic National Park. She taught Klallam youth to connect with nature and Klallam culture in the park through the Klallam language, stories, basket weaving and other traditions. In the fall of 2010, I plan to go back there to finish documenting her work. |
 Sarah James In July 2010, the project has focused on documenting a story of Sarah James, a native Gwich’in activist from Arctic Village in Alaska. She and two other Gwich’in leaders were awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2002 for protecting her community and the Porcupine Caribou Herd from oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. You can learn about Sarah’s nation and their effort to protect Arctic National Wildlife Refuge at Gwich’in Steering Committee’s website. |
 Gwich'in girls and women In late July 2010, I gained an opportunity to participate in Gwich’in Nation’s Biennial gathering at Fort Yukon, Alaska. As I learned about issues that surround the nation, I have documented a voice of 27 Gwich’in girls and women from Alaska and Canada who spoke up for their rights to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The collective voices will be summarized in a short video. |
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