Oct 20

The Frank G. and Jean M. Chesley Lectureship in Environmental Studies by Dr. Jessica Hernandez: Fresh Roots, Rising Waters: Indigenous Science as the Blueprint for Climate Justice

Tue, October 20, 2026 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm (1h 30m) • Olin 149
Dr. Jessica Hernandez
For generations, Indigenous science has been dismissed as folklore rather than recognized as rigorous, land-based knowledge accumulated through direct relationship with ecosystems. Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Maya Ch'orti' & Binnizá) draws on her work as founder of Earth Daughters and author of Fresh Banana Leaves and Growing Papaya Trees to reframe the climate conversation: colonialism didn't just displace Indigenous peoples from their lands, it displaced their knowledge systems from the institutions now scrambling to solve the crisis those systems could have prevented. This keynote traces the throughline from ecological healing to climate displacement, and makes the case that climate justice is inseparable from Indigenous sovereignty; over land, over research, and over the frameworks we use to define what counts as science.

from Environmental Studies

Event Contact: Breanna Wheeler

Event Summary

The Frank G. and Jean M. Chesley Lectureship in Environmental Studies by Dr. Jessica Hernandez: Fresh Roots, Rising Waters: Indigenous Science as the Blueprint for Climate Justice
  • Intended For: General Public, Students, Faculty, Staff, Emeriti, Alums, Prospective Students, Families
  • Categories: Diversity, Sustainability, Lecture/Panel

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