Prescott and the surrounding communities will have a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most respected Indigenous environmental leaders when Winona LaDuke presents “The 8th Fire" at 7 p.m. Monday, April 6 at the Prescott High School Performing Arts Center.

LaDuke, a member of the White Earth Nation in northern Minnesota, is internationally recognized for her leadership in environmental protection, Indigenous land restoration, and the development of sustainable local economies. For more than four decades she has been a powerful voice for protecting land and water while rebuilding regional economies rooted in agriculture, renewable materials and community self-reliance.

LaDuke is the founder of the White Earth Land Recovery Project, one of the nation’s leading Indigenous land restoration organizations, and co-founder of Honor the Earth, a national environmental justice organization. LaDuke is also an author, farmer, and was the vice-presidential running mate of Ralph Nader in the 1996 and 2000 U.S. presidential elections. Her work has earned numerous national and international honors recognizing her lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship and Indigenous sovereignty.

In her presentation, LaDuke will discuss how communities can build the “next economy” through local agriculture, renewable materials, and regional production systems. And how by doing this, citizens can help restore rural economies while supporting environmental sustainability.

This special community event is free and open to the public, and residents from across the region are encouraged to attend. A free-will donation will be accepted.