Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Dina Gilio-Whitaker is an American academic, journalist, and member of the Colville Confederated Tribes who specializes in Native American studies, decolonization, and environmental justice. Her work combines scholarly research with activism, particularly focusing on Indigenous perspectives in environmental movements and the ongoing impacts of colonization. She has authored several significant works, including "As Long as Grass Grows" (2019) and co-authored "'All the Real Indians Died Off' and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans" (2016) with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. Her writings explore the intersection of Indigenous rights, environmental justice, and the effects of historical dispossession on contemporary Native American communities. Gilio-Whitaker serves as a lecturer in American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos, where she advances the concept of "indigenized environmental justice." This framework examines environmentalism through the lens of colonial history and its lasting effects on Native peoples and their lands. An accomplished scholar and surfer, Gilio-Whitaker has also contributed to discussions about Indigenous rights in recreational spaces, notably through her work on surfing culture and Native land rights. Her master's thesis examined Indigenous protests against development on sacred lands that were also significant surfing locations.

Readers praise Gilio-Whitaker's thorough research and clear explanations of complex Indigenous environmental justice issues. On Goodreads, readers highlight how "As Long as Grass Grows" connects historical events to present-day environmental challenges through specific case studies. Readers appreciate: - Accessible writing style for academic content - Detailed historical documentation - Fresh perspective on environmental movement - Clear solutions and action items presented Common criticisms: - Academic tone can be dense for general readers - Some repetition between chapters - Limited coverage of certain geographic regions - Desire for more personal narratives Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) One reader noted: "Changed how I view environmental activism entirely." Another commented: "Well-researched but could be more engaging for non-academic readers."

As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock (2019) A historical examination of Native American environmental justice movements, analyzing tribal sovereignty, land rights, and environmental activism from colonial times through modern conflicts.

'All the Real Indians Died Off' and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans (2016) Co-authored with Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, this text systematically addresses and deconstructs common misconceptions about Native American history, culture, and identity.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz writes extensively about Indigenous history and colonization in North America, including "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States." Her work examines settler colonialism and resistance movements through a similar analytical framework as Gilio-Whitaker.

Nick Estes focuses on Indigenous resistance movements and environmental justice, particularly through his book "Our History Is the Future." His research on Standing Rock and water protection aligns with Gilio-Whitaker's work on environmental justice and Indigenous rights.

Winona LaDuke writes about Indigenous environmental activism and traditional ecological knowledge through works like "All Our Relations." Her analysis of Native land rights and environmental protection parallels Gilio-Whitaker's research on Indigenous environmental justice.

Kyle Powys Whyte examines climate justice and environmental issues from Indigenous perspectives in his academic work and publications. His research on Indigenous environmental justice frameworks connects directly to Gilio-Whitaker's concept of indigenized environmental justice.

Linda Tuhiwai Smith writes about decolonial methodologies and Indigenous research through works like "Decolonizing Methodologies." Her examination of how research practices affect Indigenous communities relates to Gilio-Whitaker's approach to studying Native American issues.