Winona LaDuke is a Native American economist, environmentalist, and writer, known for her work on tribal land claims and preservation, as well as sustainable development.
Born August 18, 1959, in Los Angeles. Her father was from the Ojibwe White Earth Reservation in Minnesota, and her mother of Jewish European ancestry. Due to her father's heritage, she was enrolled with the Ojibwe Nation at an early age, but did not live at White Earth, or any other reservation, until 1982. She started work at White Earth after graduating from college, when she got a job there as principal of the high school.
Soon after, LaDuke became an activist for numerous causes, including the Indigenous Women's Network, the fight to recover lands for the Anishinaabe through White Earth Land Recovery Project, environmental efforts of Honor the Earth, and Dakota Access Pipeline protests.
In 1996 and 2000, LaDuke was the vice-presidential candidate of the United States nominee of the Green Party, with running mate Ralph Nader for president.
May 6, 2009 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on some Indian activists that will fight a planned oil pipeline that would cross the Leech Lake Reservation in northern Minnesota. Segment includes clip of commentary from Native American environmentalist Winonna LaDuke.
October 4, 2011 - MPR’s Julie Siple reports on the fight against hunger on the White Earth Reservation. Tribal officials estimate up to 50 percent of American Indians on the reservation live below the poverty line. For some, ensuring there is enough healthy food to feed themselves and their families is a problem. There is a growing effort to return to traditional foods to help alleviate hunger and improve the health of people on the reservation while reconnecting them with a diet that served their ancestors.
November 8, 2011 - MPR’s Dan Gunderson reports on creation of four Native American radio stations in Callaway, Nett Lake, Cloquet and Cass Lake. Gunderson interviews tribe members behind the efforts to provide service to American Indian audiences in the northern Minnesota area.
November 8, 2011 - Native American activist Winona LaDuke speaks about the importance of Native American radio stations. LaDuke is one of the individuals behind starting station for White Earth reservation.