As the photographer-in-residence at Thousand Currents, I will use rich and dynamic multimedia to spotlight the work of grassroots movements around the world working towards climate justice, food sovereignty, and economic justice.

I first met Josephine Mandaman (1942-2019), known as Grandmother Water Walker, just shy of 10 years ago when I was volunteering with Indigenous Environmental Network’s media team. She had joined the delegation at the People’s Climate March to raise awareness on the sacredness of water. During that time, I had the very special opportunity to interview & photograph her. Ten years later, I’m delighted to share that hundreds of thousands of people will have the opportunity to also be touched by her work, vis a vis a new stamp featuring her story in collaboration with Canada Post, Josephine’s family, & graphic designer Andrew Perro. 

HEALING OUR WATERS WITH KELP: INDIGENOUS FUTURIST SOLUTIONS FOR MOTHER EARTH

Featured in STAT’s most memorable photos of 2022

“In partnership with Aēsop, the Revolutionary Storyteller Grant is awarded to five storytellers who are working alongside land/water protectors, and/or regenerative climate change initiatives. The panel of jurors selected storytellers who were radically changing the landscape of what it means to be a photographer and also what land/water protection and climate change mitigation/adaptation efforts can look like when they are created from the ground up.”

I am thrilled to share that I am one of the five recipients of the 2022 Revolutionary Storytellers by Photographers Without Borders. The project I will be working on is based in Cordova, Alaska where I will will be working closely with the Native Conservancy.

For my latest photo assignment with High Country News, I covered the people-powered shut-down of the Baxter wood treatment facility in West Eugene, Oregon. It was also the first time I got to also pull in drone shots for a story, which helped convey the close proximity of neighborhoods to the plant.

Snake River dams are harming salmon, orcas, and tribal communities. A solution can’t wait.

Photo assignment for Earth Justice. Words by Rebecca Cohen