Executive Director | Winona LaDuke
Winona LaDuke is a rural development economist and author working on issues of Indigenous Economics, Food and Energy Policy. She co-founded Honor the Earth with the Indigo Girls, as a platform to raise awareness of and money for indigenous struggles for environmental justice. Globally and nationally, Winona is known as a leader in the issues of cultural-based sustainable development strategies, renewable energy, and sustainable food systems. She is one of the leaders in the work of protecting Indigenous plants and heritage foods from patenting and genetic engineering.
Special Projects and Administrative Director | Pamela Mahling 
Pam is the lead on the Honor the Earth portfolio of renewable energy and jobs, focused on tribal communities in northern Minnesota. She is helping jumpstart our economic development initiatives for Pine Point and other regional Tribal communities. She maintains relationships with the network of state and federal agencies and associations related to economic development and renewable energy. Pam has seen Honor through our tough transition time and provides invaluable office support and oversight.
Creative Media, Communications and Marketing | Sarah LitteRedFeather
Sarah is Anishinaabe who is our creative graphics designer, photographer, social media manager, creating and sharing graphics, videos and photos of our events and actions. She is the powerhouse behind our web media social network, branding, merchandise development and marketing.
In addition to her other marketing tasks, she tables at various events, takes part in Horse Nations rides and helps with other event planning. Sarah is also a 'Water Protector.'
Attorney | Frank Bibeau
Frank Bibeau is an enrolled member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe who has been living on Leech Lake reservation in Ball Club, Minnesota most of his life, a half mile away from the Enbridge US Highway 2, Mainline corridor. (original Line 3, plus 5 more pipelines, 6 in total).
Frank works extensively with Chippewa treaty rights, civil rights and sovereignty, on and off reservation. Frank was recognized by Minnesota Lawyer’s FISH FIGHT in February 2015 for his legal work with treaty rights fishing case “Operation Squarehook.” Frank serves as Executive Director for the 1855 Treaty Authority and currently represents Manoomin and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe in Manoomin v DNR and Honor the Earth, a native-led, non-profit environmental protection group led by Winona LaDuke, litigating to stop the proposed Line 3 crude oil pipeline in Minnesota. Frank has worked on various legal defense strategies for Water Protectors in Minnesota based on DAPL and KXL.
Frank has been working with Honor the Earth the past 8 years, a native-led, non- profit environmental protection group led by Winona LaDuke, litigating to stop Enbridge’s Sandpiper and Line 3 Replacement crude oil pipeline in Minnesota. (Photo by Winona, December 2017).
Attorney | Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn provides legal services on pipeline and renewable energy matters. He has worked on crude oil pipeline issues since 2008, and also has experience in renewable energy policy and development. Paul started his legal career in Washington, DC, at the law firm of Van Ness Feldman, where he assisted clients in renewable energy and coal-fired power plant development, a variety of regulatory, legislative, and litigation matters, and Native American commercial law. After leaving private practice, he began a career in the nonprofit sector, including employment by the Sierra Club, the National Environmental Trust, and Oceana in organizing and media. He also has experience in community wind and solar energy development. Paul holds a B.A. in Biology from Macalester College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School.
IT Coordinator | Lucille Contreras
Lucille is an enrolled member of the Lipan Apache Band of Texas and has working in the Information Technology Industry since 1993. Lucille enjoys working for Honor The Earth and being part of the IT Team. She is passionate about environmental, cultural, and historical justice. In addition, Lucille is the executive director of non-profit, Texas Tribal Buffalo Project. (www.texastribalbuffaloproject.org)
Duluth Staff, Minnesotans For Pipeline Clean Up Organizer |Allen Richardson
A long-time compatriot of Honor, Allen has been working with us to organize the Duluth community.
Solar Team
Solar and Sustainability | Ron Chilton
Ronnie has long been part of the Honor the Earth community, and this past year has taken a lead role in our solar thermal project. He is responsible for the coordination of all solar installs, and coordination with tribes of all projects as needed. He has been instrumental in the renovation of our small-scale solar thermal panel building. He also helps coordinate our wild rice processing.
Solar and Sustainability | Jon Martin
Jon Martin is a husband and father of two children. His work with Honor includes manoomin processing, HVAC heating and cooling work, solar installation in Leech Lake and Pine Point, plumbing and small electrical work, carpentry and metal fabrication, and masonry and roofing. He is PV certified and has also helped with our Horse program care. Jon is one of Winona’s sons.
Solar and Sustainability | Terrence Bloom
Terrence Bloom is a single father of three children. He was born and raised in Ponsford, MN and is currently Jon Martin’s assistant. His work with Honor includes carpentry, plumbing, general construction, electrical work, tiny house building, metal fabrication, masonry and roofing.
Solar and Sustainability | Timothy Bloom
Timothy Bloom is a father of two children. His work with Honor includes carpentry, general construction, electrical work, and tiny house building. He is currently the fleet manager and works as a machinist.
Young Women's Leadership Program
