Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability and the Arts

808 Commonwealth Ave.,Boston MA 02215

31 March, 2022

Description

JoAnn Chase, (COM ’85) Director, American Indian Environmental Office, Office of International and Tribal Affairs The BU Arts Initiative, BU Sustainability, and the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground are pleased to welcome JoAnn Chase, a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Indian Nation, born and raised on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in central North Dakota. In 2010, JoAnn served as Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the EPA for Native American Affairs. Most recently, JoAnn has partnered with music icon Nona Hendryx and social justice innovator Makani Themba to launch SisterSMATR.org. Focused predominately on providing opportunities for young women of color, SisterSMATR (Science, Math, Art, Technology, Robotics) leverages art and community to close the gender gap in science and technology. Previously, JoAnn served as the Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians, this country’s oldest and largest national Indian membership organization. She was also the Director of the National Network of Grantmakers. JoAnn has a law degree from the University of New Mexico Law School and a baccalaureate in film theory and criticism from Boston University. (Visitors to campus are required to follow BU Mask-wearing requirements as well as Boston safety protocols and regulations, including proof of vaccination. Please review these policies carefully they will be strictly enforced.)