2017 Tradition Bearers for Bio Cultural Diversity
The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is thrilled to announce the inaugural awards of the Tradition Bearers for Bio Cultural Diversity Fellowship!
This Fellowship Award advances the opportunity for Indigenous leaders to focus on, reflect, and contemplate the trajectory of their work. Special thanks to the Christensen Fund for their outstanding partnership in providing this opportunity.
Dawn Morrison
Secwepemc (Neskonlith)
Dawn Morrison is a member of the Secwepemc (Neskonlith) First Peoples community in the Vancouver, BC, Canada area. Work builds upon her formal and informal education as well as being shaped by the legacy of leadership demonstrated by the late Arthur Manuel and Elders Wolverine (Jones Ignace) and Irene Billy in her home Secwepemc communities of Adams Lake and Neskonlith.
Through this fellowship Dawn seeks to engage herself, youth mentorees, and their Elders/ traditional knowledge holders in land based learning as well as day to day Indigenous food related activities. The goal is to produce methods in which Indigenous Peoples & communities can be free from corporate control present in their global food systems.
Darrel Thompson
Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne
Shakowenonhawe Darrel Thompson is a Wolf Clan member of the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne. Darrel holds the title of Faith Keeper within the Wolf Clan. As such, he is a fluent speaker of the Mohawk language and is well-versed in many Mohawk traditional practices.
One of Darrel’s goals under this fellowship is to create a rites of passage program for the students of the Akwesasne Freedom School. This program will target youth enrolled in the school between the ages of 10-14 and teach them life skills. Additionally, the rites of passage program aims to also further reinforce the students’ traditional knowledge.
Edward Wemytewa
Zuni Nation
Edward Wemytewa is a member of the A:shiwi (Zuni Nation), a cultural linguist/artist, and the founder of the Idiwanan An Chawe Theater. The Idiwanan An Chawe Theater was founded by Edward in the mid 1990’s as a means to create and present art dealing with contemporary issues facing the Zuni Tribe. As such Edward’s plays evoke a sense of identity, dealing with education environment, and health issues that affect the community and convey information in a creative and enriching way.
Through this fellowship Edward’s aspires to attend our Keeping the Homefires Burning event along with the Eagle Clan Mothers of the Zuni Nation to share his art and their cultural wisdom. Edward also intends to develop and implement a new gallery showing of his work from 2008-2016 at an event this Summer. The funds will also make research possible for future work reflecting on the presence of 3 Conquistador foot soldiers in Tlaxcala Mexico and how their presence shaped Zuni history.
William Madrigal, Jr.
Cahuilla/ Luiseno
William Madrigal Jr. is of Cahuilla/ Luiseno lineage and an enrolled member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians. Immersed in his culture from a young age as well as over 20 years of experience mentoring youth, William has been keeping his cultural traditions alive as well as moving them forward from a ripe age. William’s previous work includes hosting workshops on California Indian language, history, tribal law and policy, traditional songs, environmental and cultural resources, traditional dance, as well as college prep.
Through this fellowship William strives to continue his work serving the community through the classes he is currently teaching on Cahuilla Language, Cahuilla Guessing Games, Cahuilla Field Sports, as well as oral histories.
