Indigenous Caucus

The Indigenous Caucus asserts our own Indigenous natural water laws and standards and to initiate a National and International effort to have water recognized as a spiritual entity essential to continued life on Mother Earth, hold corporations and government agencies accountable to clean contaminated water, and strengthen and maximize the WMAN Indigenous Caucus voice to protect Mother Earth by holding regular face-to-face meetings of the Indigenous Caucus to advance our overall goals.

About this Caucus

What We Do

Increasing our Power to Stop Unwanted Mining and Calling for the clean up of mining pollution and contamination.

This is an endeavor that we take on personally, locally (tribal governments/state/federal) and collectively – with all of our voices, and it’s ongoing work. We will continue to uplift the local stories of struggle and look for ways to support efforts on the ground through education, funding, and unity.

The Indigenous Caucus comes together to support one another, exchange ideas and resources, and build community.

Our Leadership

The Indigenous Caucus is led by 100% Indigenous leadership. IC leaders are also elected to the WMAN Steering Committee which is a volunteer, community-based leadership team and is the main decision-making body that guides WMAN programs, activities, and the strategic direction. The WMAN Steering Committee is elected via regional and Indigenous caucuses at the WMAN Biennial Conferences (20 seats).

Chair of the Indigenous Caucus

Earl Hatley, Local Environmental Action Demanded (L.E.A.D.) Agency, Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi (Oklahoma/Southeastern U.S. Seat)

Indigenous Caucus Leaders elected to regional seats

  • Carla Rae Marshall, Black Hills Clean Water Alliance, Lakota Nation (U.S. Great Plains Seat)
  • Tara Lamothe, Fair Mining Collaboration, B.C., (USA- West Seat)
  • Russel Burns,Treaty 6- Alberta, UFMJ (Canada-Central Prairies Seat)
  • Vacant - (Indigenous Canada Seat)
  • Donna Ashamock (Indigenous Canada Seat)
  • Chantel Alveshire (Indigenous U.S. Seat)
  • (Alaska Seat)
  • Justice Pesche (Youth Rep. Seat)

The work of the Indigenous Caucus is supported by the Indigenous Caucus Coordinator. 

Sayo:’kla D. Williams, Indigenous Caucus Coordinator

Sayo:’kla D. Williams, from the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, has served as the Indigenous Caucus Coordinator for WMAN in December 2017. Email: [email protected]. or call: (608)408-3149

Active Communities

We are updating our list of active Indigenous communities on the frontlines of resource extraction. To add your organization to this list, email: [email protected].

U.S.A.

Southwest

Alaska

Southeast

Mid-West

Canada

How We Stay Connected

Monthly Meeting

Indigenous Caucus meets on Zoom with dial-in ability from the U.S.A. and Canada. Meetings are currently scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month (except holidays) from 1 – 2:20 PM EST. To sign up to be a part of this meeting or to get on the Indigenous Caucus Listserv, please contact Sayokla Williams: [email protected].

Facebook Group

Indigenous Caucus stays connected on our Facebook Page.

Upcoming Events

Thu
14
Nov

2024 WMAN Biennial Conference

November 14, 2024

- Montreal, Canada

Support Western Mining Action Network