Spring Break
Activist encourages sustainability
Winona LaDuke proposes four harmonic principles to live by
Robert Scott
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: News
To mark the 15th Anniversary of the women's studies department and the 10th anniversary of the women's resource center, Saint Mary's welcomed famed environmentalist and economist Winona LaDuke.
LaDuke, most known for being Ralph Nader's presidential running mate in the 1996 and 2000 elections, brought a message of honoring the earth and establishing peace with humanity and nature. "We live in a very anthropocentric society; everything exists in relation to us," LaDuke said. In this human-centered society, little attention is given to the environment and animals, according to LaDuke.
LaDuke proposed that the United States should live by four main principles espoused by her tribe. The first is "the Creator's law is the highest law." LaDuke said when people follow this first rule, the other three will be easier to follow. The second principle was that the natural world and humanity is related to each other. Her third principle is "all things that are natural are cyclical;" and her final proverb is, "take what you need and leave the rest."
She puts her words into practice by improving the lives of those on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. Her organization, Honor the Earth, is designed raise the standard of living in this remote area. Recently, a number of wind turbines have been installed in this reservation.
The organization operates through community efforts, donations and allocating funds to specific projects. These efforts have taught LaDuke that, "Change...is in the hands of the individual."
But despite all the work she has done, LaDuke still faces challenges. Currently Honor the Earth is in a heated dispute with the University of Minnesota whose students are attempting to genetically modify wild rice in her area.
Her other challenge is convincing American leaders that they need to change their ways. LaDuke said the United States does not show remorse when it makes international mistakes. Recalling the disputes between the Federal Government and the Native American people she said, "We need to learn to say 'I'm sorry.' We need to get big."
LaDuke left a positive impression on both students and faculty that attended. "Not only did her talk inspire me to desire and demand environmental changes in our nation but she also gave us some hope for the future too," said Clyde Olivas '11.
"Imagine how great and better off our world would be if everyone learned to live the Native American lifestyle of sustainability, respect for the land, and only took what they needed and left the rest," he said.
LaDuke, most known for being Ralph Nader's presidential running mate in the 1996 and 2000 elections, brought a message of honoring the earth and establishing peace with humanity and nature. "We live in a very anthropocentric society; everything exists in relation to us," LaDuke said. In this human-centered society, little attention is given to the environment and animals, according to LaDuke.
LaDuke proposed that the United States should live by four main principles espoused by her tribe. The first is "the Creator's law is the highest law." LaDuke said when people follow this first rule, the other three will be easier to follow. The second principle was that the natural world and humanity is related to each other. Her third principle is "all things that are natural are cyclical;" and her final proverb is, "take what you need and leave the rest."
She puts her words into practice by improving the lives of those on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota. Her organization, Honor the Earth, is designed raise the standard of living in this remote area. Recently, a number of wind turbines have been installed in this reservation.
The organization operates through community efforts, donations and allocating funds to specific projects. These efforts have taught LaDuke that, "Change...is in the hands of the individual."
But despite all the work she has done, LaDuke still faces challenges. Currently Honor the Earth is in a heated dispute with the University of Minnesota whose students are attempting to genetically modify wild rice in her area.
Her other challenge is convincing American leaders that they need to change their ways. LaDuke said the United States does not show remorse when it makes international mistakes. Recalling the disputes between the Federal Government and the Native American people she said, "We need to learn to say 'I'm sorry.' We need to get big."
LaDuke left a positive impression on both students and faculty that attended. "Not only did her talk inspire me to desire and demand environmental changes in our nation but she also gave us some hope for the future too," said Clyde Olivas '11.
"Imagine how great and better off our world would be if everyone learned to live the Native American lifestyle of sustainability, respect for the land, and only took what they needed and left the rest," he said.