WMAN's dedicated staff are here to help you access resources, engage with WMAN Caucuses and community, and to engage you in WMAN activities.

Sayokla D. Williams

sayokla@wman-info.org

WMAN Indigenous Caucus Coordinator

Sayokla (It Snows Again) Kindness-Williams is of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of WI/ Turtle Clan. She resides in Baraboo, WI- on the traditional lands of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Sayokla is the Coordinator of WMAN’s Indigenous Caucus. Her work promotes Indigenous Peoples leadership within WMAN through the support of the WMAN Indigenous Caucus, fundraising, and collaboration with the WMAN Network Coordinator and the WMAN Steering Committee.

As a lifelong activist, Sayokla’s career in environmental justice began in 1999, when she was hired by the Indigenous Environmental Network and their partner, Project Underground, to lead the Indigenous Mining Campaign Project. Her past work also includes working for the Oneida Nation of WI as a Grant Development Specialist. Sayokla is a member of the IEN Board of Directors and is active in the local fight in WI/MI to save Menominee Nation sacred sites and the Menominee River from the proposed Back 40 Sulfide Mine.

Laura Pitkanen

laura@wman-info.org

WMAN Network Coordinator

Laura is the WMAN Network Coordinator, assisting with the IEN-WMAN Mini-Grant program, fundraising, and the work of the WMAN Steering Committee. Laura works closely with Sayokla Kindness-Williams to help support communities affected by mining.

Laura is a critical geographer analyzing the toxic legacies of state-corporations and extractive industries. Laura worked extensively for the Dehcho First Nations in the Northwest Territories, Canada, on lands and resources, mining, and protected areas.

Meet Our Steering Committee Members

The WMAN steering committee represents the geographic, gender, and racial diversity that reflects the communities affected by hard rock mining.

WMAN Leadership

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