Today on campus: Michele Vendiola speaks on 'Environmental Justice in Indian Country'

Michele Vendiola will speak on “Honorable Community Engagement: Environmental Justice in Indian Country” as part of Western Washington University’s Huxley College of the Environment speaker series at 3 p.m., Friday, May 7 at WWU’s Communications Facility Room 125.

The event is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Law, Diversity, and Justice.

Vendiola is of mixed heritage, both Native American and Filipina, and is a long-time mediator, peacemaker, educator, and community activist. She is the co-founder of the regional Community Alliance and Peacemaking Project and is currently contracting with the Swinomish tribe on their Climate Change Initiative.

Vendiola formerly served as the campaign director for the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) and continues to work in collaboration with the IEN advocating environmental justice initiatives for tribes in the Pacific Northwest region. Vendiola also serves on the board of the Progressive Technologies Project, a national organization whose mission is to raise the level of technical resources available to grassroots community organizations.

Vendiola serves as a consultant to the Lummi CEDAR Project, a nonprofit dedicated to youth leadership and healthy lifestyles, where she provides technical assistance and training. She received formal mediation training through Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., holds a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education, and practices popular education methodology within all aspects of her work as an educator, activist, and community organizer.

For more information contact David Rossiter, WWU assistant professor of Environmental Studies at (360) 650-3603 or david.rossiter@wwu.edu.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized national leader in producing the next generation of environmental stewards. The College’s academic programs reflect a broad view of the physical, biological, social and cultural world. This innovative and interdisciplinary approach makes Huxley unique, and the College continues to earn international recognition for the quality of its programs.