Winona LaDuke’s Courageous Leadership
"Spirituality is the foundation of all my political work." – Winona LaDuke
Today, many powerful women are the face of environmental justice globally. Each of them has a story of their own: one that moves people and compels them to embark on a journey toward collective change.
We are excited to share the story of Winona LaDuke for summer leadership inspiration. A Native American activist, economist, and author, Winona LaDuke has dedicated her life to protecting Indigenous sovereignty over ancestral lands, natural resources, and cultural practices. Just like the Firekeepers from many parts of the world who dedicate their lives to social transformation and developing livable futures for our children and grandchildren, LaDuke combines economic and environmental strategies in her efforts to build and maintain healthy, sustainable Indigenous communities in the United States such as the White Earth reservation.
In her childhood, LaDuke frequently visited White Earth in Minnesota and, at her mother’s encouragement, she spent summers living in Native communities to deepen ties with her ancestry. She later became involved in the Anishinaabeg tribe's legal battle to reclaim lands given to them in a federal treaty from 1867. The unsuccessful outcome of the litigation sparked LaDuke's lifelong work to safeguard Native lands.
Winona LaDuke's fresh thinking, patience, and focus on the community are responsible for her effectiveness in team development and innovation management. Her movements frequently originate from within the community, enabling the community to prepare for challenging situations rather than forcing change by confronting an unfavorable external environment.
In 1985, she participated in the founding and co-chairing of the Indigenous Women's Network (IWN), a coalition of 400 Native women activists and organizations working to increase the visibility of Native women and give them the tools they need to participate fully in tribe politics and culture. The IWN functions as an Ensemble, an intentional group in which every voice is heard, and every contribution is recognized as equally valued. Together, they work to restore Indigenous lands, protect their natural resources, and preserve religious and cultural practices.
LaDuke has won numerous awards for her brave leadership and activism. She was recognized as one of Time magazine's Fifty Leaders for the Future in 1994. Additionally, she was named one of Ms. Magazine's Women of the Year in 1998. She has authored numerous works, including essays, articles, and a novel called Last Standing Woman, in addition to appearing in multiple documentaries.
As a B Corporation and in the team leadership Learning Journeys we have developed through our consulting business services , we are inspired by LaDuke leadership in calling us into deeper relationship and healing. The ancient wisdom of Indigenous traditions informs our Shared Leadership Framework™ and team leadership training as we strive to utilize business as a force for good, acting in a way that recognizes our interdependence, mutual responsibility, and obligation to future generations. We're working for a better future and a global economic system that benefits everyone—and the planet.