United Tribes of Bristol Bay (UTBB) Interviewee: Lindsay Layland
1. How did this work come about? And why was it necessary? The project is part of a larger organizational approach. There was a need for a purely tribal voice to preserve the environment and resist the mining organizations. There was a need for someone to give accurate, relevant information to people for policy development and decision-making. The work that we do is to protect life and creation to and acknowledge that women play a central role in the project – protecting the Indigenous way of life. Women are involved at many levels in the project. All of our staff are female, which is five full-time women. They play an important role and are committed to further work at the institutional and societal levels. Women are the creators of life. Our work is aimed at keeping women safe and healthy. 2. To accomplish your work, how does your project draw upon the best of the what has been or is in your organization and community? We work hard to partner with women and children’s shelters; women face difficult situations and we work to connect them with other groups who can support them. We learn from the wisdom of the elders and the young people in order to speak to and follow the culture and tradition. Hundreds of women from the region have signed on to a letter to inform local and state policy-makers of the strength, resilience, and importance of women’s participation in policymaking. 3. (a) Why did you get involved and what makes you stay? (b) What is important about what you do and what do you love most about the work? I got involved to help UTBB bring forward a voice that was needed for the people and is critical to raising the importance of protecting the traditional way of life. I am personally connected to the land, salmon, and waters and it really hits home for me. I was born in this region. My future is here, and I want a place that is healthy for community members. What is 89
