When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PST
Where: UW Moris Women’s Center 4101 George Washington Lane Seattle, WA
Join us for an exciting event that explores emerging leaders by and for Mother Earth and indigenous lands. This program gives indigenous women the opportunity to share the stories of leaders in their communities who have inspired communities to shed light on the leadership skills and impacts of wellness, food justice, and land reclamation on the lives of indigenous women and across gender equity issues.
This program connects faculty, students, and staff with local indigenous emerging leaders and allies to engage the effects of colonization on the lives of indigenous women. Addressing questions such as: What does food justice look like for indigenous women? What does land reclamation mean for indigenous women? What is leadership and wellness and why is it central to the spirit of indigenous women? What does wellness look like for indigenous women?
We have invited four exceptional guest leaders to participate in this program: Jade Sierra (Washington State Senate, 47th Legislative District), Kady Dale Titus (Native Vote Washington), Lydia M. Faitalia (Native Action Network), and a representative from For the People and Heron’s Nest movements. They will engage in a discussion about the complex histories of colonization on women with indigenous practices, their personal journeys in becoming leaders within indigenous practices, and how the larger community can become intentional and accountable leaders while acknowledging and incorporating indigenous practices.
This event is a powerful and meaningful opportunity for students, faculty, staff, and community members across the city of Seattle to engage in conversations about contemporary indigenous and gender equity practices. Don't miss this chance to connect with these emerging leaders.
Agenda
11:30am Brunch provided
12:30 - 2:30pm Leadership discusssion
Please donate to our Friends of NEW Leadership fund when you register for your seat. Suggested donation of $10 for working professionals and $5 to students. Your support will go directly towards programming and speakers. We appreciate you!
About the Speakers
Jade Sierra is a Legislative Assistant at the Washington State Senate, UW Alumni, Advocate, Former Community Outreach Director for Women in Communications at UW. Passion for equitable leadership, policy, and ensuring we care for our communities, lands, and Mother Earth. (Instagram)
For The People is a grassroots organizing collective that provides a stable platform for community organizers to fundraise for social justice projects. They are accountable to their communities and uplift members dedicated to defending what they hold sacred: justice, life, freedom, love, and community. This is why each of their organizers works to defend Mother Earth, with projects ranging from food sovereignty, Indigenous rights, climate action, anti-imperialism and decolonization, spiritual activism, anti-racism, and much more.
Kady Titus is Koyukon Athabascan and member of the Native Village of Ruby, Alaska. She started her career working in social and behavioral health services with her Tribal health organization in Alaska. After moving to Eastern Washington in 2013 Kady began working with workforce development organizations providing services and on-the-job training opportunities in rural communities. Most recently, she worked with Tribes on a national level to identify, develop, and implement solar power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for Tribes and Tribal members. Currently, Kady is the Senior Organizer for Native Vote Washington, Washington’s first Native American year-round civic engagement organization. Kady is also an artist, and her creativity and love for color can be seen in her indigenous beadwork. (Facebook, Native Vote Washington Website)
Lydia M. Faitalia is Tongan and Samoan- American. She is a Matriarch, holds a Chief title from Neiafu, Savaii, and is the First-Vice Chair of the Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs. She also serves on the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee and the WA Govenors Integragcy Council on Health Disparities. Lafaitele is a small business owner. She is finishing her master's thesis in American Indians Studies at the University of California Los Angeles. Her thesis focuses on Women Matai (Chief) Leadership / Service and their roles in sustaining cultural practices and land from the diaspora. She is a proud member of the 2022-2023 Native Action Network Legacy of Leadership Cohort and the 2022 Cohort of Emerge WA. Lafaitele has over 20 years of community service experience and is a lifetime learner. (Instagram)