Bright Environmental Award

Bright Environmental Award
Te Ara Whatu & indigenous youth leaders

India Logan-Riley, co-founder of Te Ara Whatu, a group of Māori and Pasifika youth who are working for climate change solutions and Indigenous sovereignty, has been awarded the 2021 Stanford Bright Award. This annual $100,000 award, Stanford’s top environmental prize, recognizes exceptional contributions to global sustainability and is given to an organization or individual in one of 10 rotating regions each year. The prize was made possible by a gift to Stanford Law School from Ray Bright, JD ’59, a lifelong conservationist, and his wife, Marcelle.

Te Ara Whatu is a group of Māori and Pasifika youth focused on global climate change solutions that also protect Indigenous practices and sovereignty. Te Ara Whatu’s mission can be interpreted in both simple and multilayered ways. Focusing on climate justice and, specifically, Indigenous culture adds another layer to what many people think of as climate activism. At the same time, explained Logan-Riley, Indigenous existence is climate activism, and what is good for Aotearoa [New Zealand] is good for its people. “For Indigenous peoples, there’s no way to not be involved in climate work. It just might not look like traditional activism,” said Logan-Riley. “It might look like growing a traditional garden or being heavily involved in my Māori community back home or helping raise our young people. Those are all forms of activism that keep our people going, which is a form of resistance against the climate crisis.” SL