The Hudson Valley Environmental Justice Coalition endeavors to bring nationally recognized figures to local audiences to speak about environmental justice and the environmental-crisis. Sachem Hawkstorm will join Rev. Dr. Gregory Simpson for a moderated conversation.

Sachem HawkStorm, is a fierce advocate for the rights of his people as well as other indigenous peoples in the New York region and beyond.

He is an advocate for environmental justice and the preservation of indigenous land and waters. He helped lead People's Climate marches in 2014 and 2017 as well as the Native Nations Rise March in 2017.

His work focuses on cultural heritage, education, and tribal sovereignty.

Sachem HawkStorm has participated in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, focusing on economic and social development, cultural preservation, water and food sovereignty, self-determination, human rights and environmental justice.

He has worked in close partnership with the United Confederation of Taino People, Ramapough Lenape Tribal Nation of New Jersey, and the Golden Hill Paugussett Tribe to strengthen unity among East Coast indigenous relations. In 2018, he attended the International Indian Treaty Conference in Bear Butte, South Dakota.

Rev. Dr. Gregory Simpson (moderator) is a scientist and theologian. He holds a Doctorate degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of the West Indies. He was a postdoctoral research fellow in genomic physiology and molecular biology at UMass Medical School and taught chemistry as an adjunct professor at Worcester State University. Later he completed both Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees in New Testament Bible and Ethics at Union Theological Seminary NY. His scholarship focused on Intellectual Property Rights, Biblical Ethics and Climate Change. He is the Pastor at Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church & Co-Founder of Learning for Life Solutions.

Hudson Valley Environmental Justice Coalition

Members:

The Ashokan Center

Calvary Presbyterian Church (Newburgh)

Catskill Mountainkeeper

The Center for Economic and Environmental Partnership

Citizens Climate Lobby – Columbia County Chapter

Citizens Climate Lobby - Mid-Hudson North

Citizens Climate Lobby - Mid-Hudson South

The Climate Actors

Climate Reality Hudson Valley & Catskills Chapter

Federated Conservationists of Westchester County

Harambee

Holy Cross/Santa Cruz Episcopal Church

Hudson River Maritime Museum

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

The Hudson River Watershed Alliance

The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre

Kingston Interfaith Council

Kingston Land Trust

Kingston Midtown Rising

Minister’s Alliance of Ulster County

MyKingstonKids

Nauraushaun Presbyterian Church

New Paltz Climate Action

Oceans 8 Films

Old Dutch Church Kingston

New Progressive Baptist Church

New Yorkers for Clean Power

Peaceful Guardians Project

Pointe of Praise Family Life Center

Radio Kingston (WKNY)

Riverkeeper

Scenic Hudson

Schaghticoke First Nations

Sustainable Hudson Valley

Ulster County MBK

Ulster County Muslim Association

Ulster County Youth Bureau

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills

Woodstock Timebank Constellation