HeySunday Scholarship for Moms in College

Footprints- we all leave them. It’s effortless to see the tracks of mankind today, from extensive land development to the presence of litter. However, this was not the case for many Indigenous nations, as their ecological footprint was near nonexistent. The earth was well tended and cared for, until the arrival of colonizers. With their arrival came the end of Indigenous civilizations- civilizations that accentuated land stewardship, sustainability, and gratitude. Centuries later, with the erasure of many Native Peoples and their cultural practices, we live in a manner directly opposite to them. From beautiful forests chopped to stumps, or the dumping of pollution in sacred waterways, our world has disregarded the land that was once revered. It is this that is the most pressing environmental challenge- the loss and suppression of Indigenous cultures. This summer, I made a friend named Gwyn through a habitat restoration internship. We conversed and shared some great ideas. At the end of our conversation one day, she recommended a must-read. That book, Braiding Sweetgrass, is arguably the most influential piece I’ve ever consumed. It shed light on the lost beauty and wisdom contained in the practices and lifestyles of the Native Peoples. It elaborated on the wholesome, reciprocal relationships many shared with the earth. Responsibility and love were common themes in Indigenous cultures, emphasized routinely. Villages were centered around sustainability from agricultural practices to architecture. Children were grounded in offerings of thanksgiving, involved in ceremonies, and advised against exploitation of the Earth's gifts. In 2024, the age of climate change, there are voices with solutions and ideas. The majority of these voices, though, lack diversity and are rooted in pure Western science. As much as I support research, I believe multiple perspectives are valuable. As greater inclusion allows for more fruitful discussions and results, so must our environmental conversations allowing room for the wisdom of Indigenous Peoples. This is notable considering how ecologically-conscious their lifestyles were and how much they can bring to the table in devising sustainable solutions. Additionally, integrating Native wisdom into environmental conversations could help heal the marred relationship we share with them and incline more communities to get involved. This is substantial as complex environmental issues require heavy collaborative action and positive relations with others. To improve the loss and suppression of Native voices, I support their resurgence. Recently, I’ve joined a local organization, YoloSol. Their work is based on reteaching the practices of local tribes, as well as advocating for land stewardship. I hope to apply the principles and practices I learn from YoloSol to an influential space- my university. I’m applying for a fellowship opportunity on campus called the Climate Action Fellows. If chosen, I would work with my school’s Director of Sustainability, where I would push for the incorporation of Indigenous ecological knowledge into our projects. Though there is plenty of work to be done to achieve a greater level of Native diversity in the environmental field, I hope to start small and eventually advocate for their presence on grander platforms. By participating in YoloSol’s mission and working for the inclusion of Indigenous voices into my school’s sustainable initiatives, I aim to provide increased clarity, beauty, and justice into the dark realm of environmental challenges.