Leslie Jonas
- MIT Sponsors:
- Sonya Atalay, Anthropology Program
- Janelle-Knox Hayes, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
The trailblazers in human, academic, scientific and religious freedom have always been in the minority… It will take such a small committed minority to work unrelentingly to win the uncommitted majority. Such a group may transform America’s greatest dilemma into her most glorious opportunity.
Background
Leslie Jonas is an eel clan member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe who has served as an NLC board officer since the founding of the organization in 2012. She is socially, culturally, and politically engaged in her tribe and has served formerly as Tribal Administrator and Powwow Director.
Interests
As a former student of the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, and graduate of the 5 yr curriculum, Leslie participates in the ongoing work of our tribal language. Leslie is an avid gardener, and lives a “green” life daily, utilizing solar power, driving a hybrid vehicle, and reducing water waste. She became passionate about land conservation and the health and wellness of the environment as a teenager when she worked for the New Alchemy Institute in Falmouth. More recently Leslie has been researching and focusing on Climate Change from the Indigenous Perspective. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Conservation Law Foundation for the state of MA and is co- teaching and co-advising indigenous environmental planning courses in social/environmental justice at MIT. Leslie currently works as the Sea Grant Fiscal Officer for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and lives in Falmouth, MA.
