Welcoming Hannah James & Celebrating World Environment Day

Photo: Hannah James (Diné/Navajo)  Photo by Zeriyah James.

This World Environment Day (June 5th), we are thrilled to introduce you to Hannah James (Dine/Navajo), our Summer 2026 intern! A senior and writing tutor at Haskell Indian Nations University and we are fortunate to host her through partnership with our friends at the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP).  

Majoring in American Indian Studies, Miss James is keen to learn about Indigenous environmental and climate justice issues and apply her skillsets of writing, editing, and time management to support LF’s initiatives.  “I am eager to expand my knowledge in these fields and explore ways to advocate for Native Americans who have been directly impacted by climate change,” she says.  “By collaborating with peers and community members, growing my intellectual knowledge, and gaining a deeper understanding of cultural teachings and languages, the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation will provide me the opportunity to help build resilient and self-sustaining Native communities that can combat climate change.”

Miss James will be supporting LF projects associated with our Indigenous Climate Futures, Secure Harvest, and First Food Pollinators initiatives during her 6-week internship.  We are excited to have her support the monthly meetings, weekly email bulletins and Tribal Climate Guide of the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Network.  Rounding out our holistic approach to climate adaptation and resilience, Miss James will also be contributing to LF efforts on the Okanogan Region Food Council and with the North Central Washington Food Council.  This approach integrates Indigenous food and water security considerations as environmental and climate justice necessities.

We are especially happy that Miss James will be participating in our 2026 Pollinator Relatives Workshop later in June!  As some of Mother Nature’s smallest and most important relatives, our local, regional, and global ecosystems are reliant upon our Pollinator Relatives.  The Workshop will convene teams of delegations from Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples (TIP) governments, organizations, and communities to share Indigenous and Western knowledge and science systems to develop and learn about Pollinator stewardship and management strategies for addressing biodiversity, food security, community resilience, and pollinator risks to TIP cultures, governance, and priorities.  

We are honored to have Miss James join us during her internship, not just because of her passion and motivation - but because we know that she will also teach us.  As a young Native woman, her knowledge and perspectives as an emerging leader will help LF better understand and navigate how to address the climate and environmental challenges we all face.  World Environment Day 2026 belongs to Miss James and the generations to come, thus, read on to learn some of the wisdom and experiences which Miss James has shared with us!

At the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation, we believe native plants and pollinators are our relatives and that we should do all we can to protect and conserve their existence.  Please share with us a little about your roles and experiences in advocating for biodiversity and conservation of native plants and pollinators in ways which honor your traditions and cultural practices.  

As I grew up on the Navajo reservation, I am increasingly aware that biodiversity and conservation are not only an environmental issue but a cultural one.  My understanding of land stewardship stems from my community back home and my education in college.  While in college, I intentionally seek opportunities within my assignments and projects to conduct research related to Indigenous environmental protection and policy reform.  Through this work, I explore how environmental challenges such as drought and climate change affect Indigenous communities and their relationships with traditional lands and food systems.  I am especially interested in how policies can better recognize Indigenous knowledges and sovereignty in environmental decision-making.

By combining what I learn academically with the teachings and experiences from my community, I strive to better understand how Indigenous perspectives on stewardship can contribute to protecting biodiversity, restoring native ecosystems, and supporting the plants and pollinators that are vital to cultural traditions and ecological health.

What would you say is one of the accomplishments related to environmental or native plants/pollinators protection, restoration, or education which you are most proud of? 

One small way I contributed to environmental protection, restoration, and education is by producing and tending to a garden with my sisters. This practice creates a space for pollinators, supports biodiversity, and enhances the Navajo (Diné) food system and traditions. By planting native vegetables like corn, we learned the importance of patience, care, and responsibility in tending to the land and upholding our Diné traditions. Beyond providing a nutritious meal for our family, plants like corn are sacred in the Diné culture as they are part of our creation story and are used in ceremonies. For me, cultivating a garden provides endless opportunities and is a simple way to practice land stewardship and honor my Diné traditions.

We can learn so much from our plant/pollinator relatives, they are like our teachers.  Are there any that have helped teach you about resilience and strength? 

Hozhó is a Diné philosophy that lightly translates to the balance, harmony, and beauty of all things. One way I was taught to sustain Hozhó is by having a respectful relationship with the land and its inhabitants.  For example, when gathering plants like juniper or corn, we are taught to approach them with intention.  We make an offering or prayer, speaking to the plant, and taking only what we need.  This practice reminds us that plants are living relatives who provide for us, and that we have a responsibility to care for them in return.  These teachings emphasize Hozhó and reinforce the notion that our survival is interconnected with the health of the land and the beings that live on it.  This perspective guides me to think more intentionally about conservation and land stewardship, reminding me that protecting plants and pollinators is also a way of honoring the Diné teachings passed down through generations.

What are some ways you have seen Indigenous-led conservation and stewardship positively influence land management, climate action, biodiversity, and/or food security?

I have been learning about the Quinault Indian Nation’s initiative to protect coastal ecosystems that are threatened by climate change.  They implemented a long-term restoration project plan that addresses elements like water quality standards for wetlands and are restoring salmon and forest habitats.  This initiative strengthens the resilience of the local ecosystems and also demonstrates how Indigenous knowledges and leadership can guide effective climate adaptation.  It inspires me to consider how combining traditional ecological practices with modern conservation strategies can create meaningful impacts on the land and its communities.

If there is an individual (or individuals) within your family, community, or Tribal Nation that has helped inspire your desire to protect and advocate for our Plant and Pollinator Relatives, please share a little about them, and how they’ve supported or encouraged your work in this space.

My professor, Daniel Wildcat, inspired my desire to protect and advocate for our Plant and Pollinator Relatives.  Throughout his courses, Dr. Wildcat emphasizes traditional ecological knowledge, environmental sustainability, and the intersections of ecology and social justice.  Dr. Wildcat’s mentorship has been a powerful motivator in shaping my commitment to conservation and legal climate action.

Are there any additional insights about your journey that you’d like to share with us?  

I am interested in law and policy initiatives involving environmental conservation and restoration. Protecting native plants and pollinators involves both hands-on work and understanding the policies and legal frameworks that affect climate action. My journey is a combination of my academic and personal experiences, Diné culture, and a growing dedication to environmental policy in Indigenous communities.