- Mona Polacca
-
Mona Polacca Tribe Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa Born January 22, 1955 Known for President, CEO and faculty of the Turtle Island Project Education Arizona State University Virginia Commonwealth University Relatives Manakaja, chief of Havasupai from 1900 to 1942 Mona Polacca is a Native American spiritual elder from Arizona.[1] She has worked to further social justice for indigenous people from an early age. She is an author in the field of social sciences, has held posts of responsibility as Treasurer for her tribe[2] and served on several committees for Indigenous Peoples within the United Nations.[3]
In recent years, due to her continued extensive work as an indigenous elder stateswoman, Mona has gained international recognition for her work as one of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - a group of spiritual elders, medicine women and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.[4]
Contents
Early years
Mona became interested in indigenous social justice at the age of 14 when she first heard about the occupation of Alcatraz Island by a Native American group called Indians of All Tribes in 1969. Although Mona was only 14 years old she wanted to visit the island and was allowed to do so by her parents.[5]
Social Justice work
Mona has held many positions relating to social justice including.
- Serving as a U.S. delegate at the Indigenous Women's Inter-Continental Meeting in Lima, Peru[6]
- Serving on United Nations committees on indigenous people's issues.[7] However, Mona has noted that although a draft on Indigenous Human Rights has been created, the draft has never been approved or adopted. Mona wishes for the draft to be brought back and considered by the General Assembly.[8]
- On the Board of Directors of Youth Advocate Programs Inc.[9] In her work, Mona helps to "create opportunities to help them develop positive self identity."[10]
The International Council of 13 Grandmothers
Main article: International Council of 13 GrandmothersIn 2004, Mona was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.[11] Grandmother Mona is the youngest of the 13 Grandmothers[12]
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull and related edicts which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.[13]
Notes
References
- Grandmothers' Council website about the Grandmothers http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/about.html#monap
- Native Village Publications, Grandmother Bernadette Rebienot, http://www.nativevillage.org/INTERNATIONAL%20COUNCIL%20OF%2013%20INDIGENOUS%20GR/Each%20GR%20Home%20Page/Mona%20Polacca/Grandmother%20Mona%20Polacca%20Homepage.htm
- Schaefer, C, (2006) Grandmothers Council the World: wise women elders offer their vision for our planet. Trumpeter Books 978-1-59030-293-4
- Harcourt-Smith, J, Future Primitive on the international council of thirteen indigenous grandmothers http://www.futureprimitive.org/mp3/MonaPolacca.mp3
- Youth Advocate Programs Inc. http://www.yapinc.org/index.php?pID=353
External links
- International Council of 13 of Indigenous Grandmothers Official Website
- Official website for documentary
- For The Next Seven Generations Film Trailer
- The Center for Sacred Studies
- Statement of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
- Washington Post article written by Mona Polacca on Grandmothers' visit to petition Pope
- Turtle Island Project website
- Chapter on domestic violence written by Mona
Categories:- American activists
- American environmentalists
- Female Native American leaders
- Humanitarians
- Living people
- Religious figures of the indigenous peoples of North America
- Sustainability advocates
- 1955 births
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