To celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month, Lauren and Dylan are talking about environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion – not just in general, but how this conversation is evolving at DEQ specifically. They are joined by three DEQ staff integral to this work:
- Natalie Nava, DEQ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator
- Chamille Hartman, Northwest Region Water Quality, also involved in the environmental justice work group
- Ximena Cruzcueves, Cleanup Program Coordinator, also involved in the BIPOC affinity group, on the DEI Council, and leading the environmental justice work group
This conversation touches on the history of racism in the United State and Oregon have created structures that impact even efforts seen as progressive, like the environmental and conservation movements. Institutions have been undoubtedly influenced by this history, and DEQ has begun work to re-imagine how the agency can protect the environment in a way that represents the experiences and responds to the needs of everyone who lives in Oregon.
Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
SHOW NOTES
- Introduction
- History of racism in Oregon [1:35]
- Opening with Elizabeth Woody, Poet Laureate [4:00]
- Oregon Historical Society
- Celilo Falls on interactive map
- She Who Watches the Names Our Prayer (go to 6:28 in this video)
- Racism in the conservation movement [11:30]
- History of environmental justice [19:45]
- Environmental justice and DEI work at DEQ [27:55]
WHERE YOU CAN DONATE YOUR TIME AND/OR MONEY ON EARTH DAY
or really any time
- Adventures without Limits
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
- American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon
- Basic Rights Oregon
- Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
- Black Oregon Land Trust
- The Blueprint Foundation
- Coalition of Communities of Color
- Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
- Depave
- Latino Outdoors
- Organizing People/Activating Leaders (OPAL)
- Outdoor Afro
- Place Matters
- Pride Foundation
- Rogue Climate
- Verde
- Wild Diversity
- Wisdom of the Elders