Book Review

Winona LaDuke and 9 Others Working to Preserve Mother Earth for the Next 7 Generations

Native Defenders of the Environment
by Vincent Schilling
7th Generation | 128 pp | $9.95
ISBN 0977918379

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Entertainment. Join the Discussion of this Book »

Native Trailblazers Series

Longtime activist Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabeg, is one of ten Native environmentalists featured in "Native Defenders of the Environment."

Written by Vincent Schilling, a tribal member of the Saint Regis Mohawk tribe, "Native Defenders" is written for young people from ages 9 - 16. Schilling has contributed to several American Indian news publications in the United States, including "Indian Country," "Native Times," "Tribal College Journal," and "Winds of Change."

Schilling writes Winona Laduke "works to reclaim Native lands, advocates renewable energy resources, and protects Native cultures."

LaDuke does have quite impressive resume in the area of environmental issues, especially regarding those in Indian Country. Her activism goes back to her girlhood with both parents participating in social activism during the tumultuous 1960s and 1970s.

Even with her busy schedule working to protect the environment, she still serves as the executive director of Honor the Earth, an environmental organization that seeks to break the geographical and political isolation of Native communities and to generate financial support for the sustainable survival of Native people.

Nine other Native activists are featured besides LaDuke in short chapters. Included are: Grace Thorpe, Sac and Fox Nation, who helped to prevent nuclear waste dumps on reservations; Tom Goldtooth, Dakota, director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; Sarah James, Gwich'in, who opposed the oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; among others.

"Native Defenders of the Environment" is the fifth book in the Native Trailblazers Series featuring the actions on the contributions of American Indians and Canadian First Nations individuals who provide inspirational role models of young readers.

The Native Trailblazers Series is refreshing because of its accent on the positive contributions of Native people. It is refreshing because in the past so many other books have not been so kind to Native people. Whether the young readers are Native or non-Native, it matters little, Native Trailblazers provides the impetus for young readers to make positive contributions to society themselves.

"Native Defenders of the Environment" is a must for teachers who teach young people about the importance of the protecting the environment.

The Native people featured in "Native Defenders of the Environment" will make you want to stand up and applause their great efforts to preserve Mother Earth for the next seven Generations.

posted August 27, 2011 9:57 am edt