Educate Yourself on Climate Justice
Racial justice is climate justice, and to truly make an impact on Wisconsin’s future, everyone must be included, regardless of our race, gender, background, or zip code. One of the most important ways to be part of the work is to educate ourselves so that we can have an understanding and respect for all people.
Environmental Justice Resources
Explore these environmental justice resources we have compiled:
A Brief History of Environmental Justice from 1982 to the present.
Environmental Justice with Peggy Shepard at TedxHarlem.
Understand how our nation’s history has led to the oppression of Black and Brown lives for generations. We must look at the hard truths about our past and present in order to create a better and more inclusive future.
Start by following our Wisconsin Native Vote Facebook page to learn more about Indigenous culture, values, and history. This is also a great way to stay up-to-date on the work we’re doing to get out the Native vote. Scroll down to the Resources for Understanding Native Culture section for more suggestions on books and documentaries by Native authors and filmmakers.
Dive into the New York Times’ 1619 Project and Black History, Continued to understand the true the history of slavery in our country.
Engage with climate action that is intersectional. Follow the work of Leah Thomas and Intersectional Environmentalist.
For White People Wanting to Show Up for Racial Justice
If you are a white person passionate about showing up for racial justice and dismantling racism, look at the resources listed below to help you get started. Allyship is on-going participatory work that requires both introspection and meaningful action. This work starts by addressing how racism and internal biases show up in your everyday life. In order to work towards collective liberation and climate justice, the voices, experiences, and leadership of Black, Indigenous, and people of color must be centered.
Join a white unlearning and accountability space. Find more resources about these spaces here.
Read this web page on unlearning white supremacy culture and read the book Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad.
Explore how to dismantle racism in your community, language, and actions.
Research ways to be an active and engaged ally here.
Subscribe to the newsletter Anti-Racism Daily. This discusses a range of topics related to anti-racism. You can also find the daily newsletters on Instagram. Subscribe here for the emails.
Resources for Understanding Native Culture and Heritage
There are 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Ho-Chunk Nation, Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida Nation, Forest County Potawatomi, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, St. Croix Chippewa, Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake), and Stockbridge-Munsee. There are also other non-federally-recognized tribes in the state.
Visit this link and scroll to the bottom for links to each tribal government to learn more. You can also visit the Native American Tourism of Wisconsin, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, and the Great Lakes Intertribal Council for more information on Native tribes in Wisconsin.
Read or watch one of these many books and documentaries about Indigenous peoples, recommended by our Native Vote Manager Dee Sweet:
Books
Ho Chunk Powwows and the Politics of Tradition by Grant Arndt
My Name Is Not Easy by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Custer Died For Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto by Vine Deloria, Jr.
House Made Of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday
Medicine Generations by Misty Davids
Making A Difference: My Fight For Native Rights And Social Justice by Ada Deer
The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich
On the Rez by Ian Frazier
American Indians in Milwaukee by Antonio Doxtator and Renee Zakhar
When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through: Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry by Joy Harjo, ed.
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
The Story of Act 31: How Native History Came to Wisconsin by J. P. Leary
Oneida Lives: Long-Lost Voices of the Wisconsin Oneidas by Herbert Lewis, ed.
Indian Nations Of Wisconsin by Patty Loew
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann
The Potawatomi Of Wisconsin by Damon Mayrl
There There by Tommy Orange
Chippewa Treaty Rights: The Reserved Rights of the Wisconsin Chippewa Indians in Historical Perspective by Ron Satz
Palominos Near Tuba City: New & Selected Poems by Denise Sweet
Wisconsin Indian Literature by Kathleen Tigerman
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask by Anton Treuer
Documentaries
“Angry Inuk” (2017)
“Beyond Standing Rock” (2017)
“The Canary Effect” (2006)
“Gather” (2020)
“In the Spirit of Crazy Horse” (1990)
“Ladonna Harris: Indian 101” (2016)
“The Medicine Game” (2014)
“Reel Injun” (2009)
“Rumble: Indians Who Rocked The World” (2017)
“Trudell” (2005)
“Waasa Inabidaa: We Look In All Directions~ A Docu-Series (2002)
“We Shall Remain: A Docu-Series (2009)
Take a deep dive into PBS’ video documentaries on tribal histories.