2002 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award
Honoree: Carol Craig
Carol Craig
Carol Craig is honored as a finalist for the 2002 Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Award for her work educating the public about tribal treaty rights. In her public education efforts, Craig has addressed many civic organizations and visited schools throughout the Pacific Northwest from kindergarten through college level classes. She has spoken on tribal treaty rights both regionally and nationally over the past 16 years.
Since 1995, Craig has worked as the Public Information Manager for the Yakama Nation Fish and Wildlife Resource Management Program in Toppenish, Washington. She also currently writes, edits and takes photographs for the quarterly Yakama Nation publication Sin-Wit-Ki (All life on earth) and contributes to various tribal newspapers including the Yakama Nation Review and News From Indian Country.
In 1998, the Yakama Tribal Council requested that Craig provide assistance to the Makah Nation in working with the media after they announced they would revive their whale hunting tradition. She work extensively on this issue in 1999 and continues to educate the public about the Makah whale hunt.
Formerly with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission in Portland, Oregon, Craig worked as the Tribal Information and Education Coordinator as well as contributing writer to Wana Chinook Tymoo (Columbia River fish stories). Craig was also the editor of the bi-weekly newssheet, Currents.
In 1992, Craig was among the first 13 tribal journalists to receive the Howard Simon Fellowship from the Society of Environmental Journalists. Carol Craig is a member of the Native American Journalists Association, Society of Environmental Journalists, Society of Professional Journalists, Washington Press Women and National Federation of Press Women. She is a graduate of Portland State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1994.
Craig serves as a mentor to Yakama tribal students who want to learn more about becoming a photographer and journalist. She serves as a Board of Director for the Salmon Corps and also sits on the Board for the Employees Club for the Yakama Nation.
Carol Craig is a Yakama tribal member. She is also part Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Squaxin, Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Stillaquamish. Craig is a single mother, with two children and two grandchildren.
