Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth Hoover, of Mohawk and Mi’kmaq descent, will take over our Instagram account. Elizabeth recently returned from Standing Rock and will be sharing photos from her time there as well as her daily life.
Elizabeth: I am an Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, where I am also working to develop a Native American and Indigenous Studies program. I am descended from Mohawk and Mi’kmaq communities, and serve as a faculty advisor for the Native Americans at Brown student group. I am also a co-leader of the Community Engagement Core of the Brown Superfund Research Project, which collaborates with the Narragansett Tribe as well as community organizations in RI contending with environmental issues.
In addition, I am on the Executive Committee of the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance (NAFSA) which works to bring together and provide resources for Native American community projects looking to contribute to food sovereignty. Lastly, I also serve on the board of the Environmental Justice League of RI (EJLRI). To find out more about some of my work, readers can go to www.gardenwarriorsgoodseeds.com.
CK: Why did you travel to Standing Rock?
Elizabeth: I was at Standing Rock with a group of Native Americans at Brown (NAB) students, volunteering at the camp and taking part in the largest collective movement of Indigenous people of our time, who are seeking to fight against environmental racism and in favor of clean water and land rights.