Early Work
I was lucky to grow up in a small town that taught me the values of respecting our environment and relatives. Even with this foundation, I have had many experimentations leading me to my current work in energy, and I would not have gotten here without experimentation and higher education. I started my career in fashion while studying the industry’s human rights and waste problems. Back then, however, the environment and human rights were not a mainstream conversation in the fashion industry, and I struggled to find purpose in the professional world.
After several years, I realized I had drifted off course and needed to redirect my career. I entered graduate school in environmental policy, where I was first exposed to energy issues interning for the Department of Energy’s Indian Energy Program. After that, everything fell into place.
Explorer Work
The history of energy development is a study of the intersection between imperialism, indigeneity, natural resource extraction and capitalism. As a Ph.D. student, I am researching the current clean energy transition by centering labor movements, indigenous value systems and cultural heritage. I specifically focus on Japan and U.S. Tribal Nations because of shared values with the natural world and similar visions for their energy futures. The bright future of decentralized energy motivates me to continue this important research and supporting connections between communities is an element I am most proud of.
Most Exciting Part of Your Work:
As an interdisciplinary scholar, it is exciting to use multiple artistic mediums and research methodologies to understand the energy commons. Sharing stories, spaces and relationships with communities of similar values is something I am always grateful for. But these days, what gets me excited is flipping the script. For far too long, research has been done on communities, rather than investigating the ruling class and systems of oppression and exploitation. Let’s continue to flip the script and figure out how the gears of global capitalism and centralized energy work, together.
Most Demanding Part of Your Work
The nature of decolonizing energy is ultimately rooted in uncovering the trauma of colonization, including the inherently exploitative nature of capitalism and its impacts on our ancestors and relatives today. While I firmly believe that we need to address these issues head on, this work can also feel daunting and at times, hopeless. An antidote to these feelings is embracing solidarity and leaning into community. Global solidarity is the most effective cure.
What Being an Explorer Means to You
For me, being an Explorer means that anything is possible. When I was little, my dad had a subscription to National Geographic magazine. I would always stare at the cover image as something incredibly far away; both the photographs themselves and the people behind the camera able to achieve this feat. Even though I knew, deep down, that writing and photography were my passions, I always thought it was impossible to turn these hobbies into a career, let alone be accepted into the National Geographic community. Now that this has come true, I realize that being an Explorer means more than just the pursuit of personal dreams. It means contributing to a greater, collective purpose.
Advice to Students
Believe in yourself and listen to what makes you inspired. Listen to podcasts, read books, watch YouTube and, most importantly, explore outside. Doors will start to open if you put effort into building a community involved in your interests, and the best way to start is by cold-emailing people in your chosen field. In the United States, there are too many barriers to higher education and the freedom to choose what you want to pursue. Community will help you navigate these barriers.
