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Dina Gilio-Whitaker

Indigenous Author & Speaker; Renowned Scholar, Educator & Journalist

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Biography

Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes) is a lecturer of American Indian Studies at California State University San Marcos and independent educator/advisor on Indigenous environmental issues. She is a sought-after speaker and has addressed and advised a wide array of academic disciplines and organizations in the realms of conservation, law, science, government, outdoor sports, and more. As a freelance journalist, her work has appeared in Indian Country Today, Los Angeles Times, High Country News, Sierra Magazine, Time.com, Slate, History.com, Bioneers, Truthout, the Pacifica Network, Grist, CSPAN Booktalk, The Boston Globe, and many more. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including awards from the Native American Journalists Association. Her research interests focus on Indigenous nationalism, self-determination, environmental justice, and education. For several years she was involved with Indigenous peoples’ participation in the United Nations arena. She also works within the academic field of critical sports studies, examining the intersections of indigeneity and the sport of surfing. Dina helped author AB 1782 in 2018, a bill to make surfing California’s state sport and regularly works within surf culture elevating the perspectives of Indigenous surfers, youth, and communities. In 2016 she published her first book along with coauthor Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, “All the Real Indians Died Off” and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans (Beacon Press). Her most recent book is the critically acclaimed and award-winning As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock (Beacon Press, 2019). Dina is currently under contract with Beacon Press for two new books under the working titles Illegitimate Nation: Privilege, Race, and Belonging in the U.S. Settler State, and Claiming Native: Authenticity, Ethnic Fraud, and the Messy Ambiguity of Native Identity. Dina’s civic service includes board memberships on the San Onofre Parks Foundation and High Country News. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dina considers herself an urban Indian whose Colville mother came to LA during the termination years. She currently lives in San Clemente, CA.

Speech Topics

  • Decolonizing And Indigenizing Environmental Justice

    Designed for general or interdisciplinary audiences, accommodating the knowledge bases of both those well versed in environmental justice and those less so. It reflects highlights from the book As Long As Grass Grows.

  • Environmental Justice And Climate Change: A Changing Landscape

    Talk focuses on tribal approaches and action on climate change and justice as a subset of environmental justice. It lays a foundation about the history of global climate change solutions (e.g. the failed Kyoto Protocol), and engages a critical conversation about green energy and green capitalism. It then offers examples of American Indian adaptation and mitigation efforts.

  • Decolonizing Sustainability

    Critically examines dominant narratives of sustainability, injecting an indigenous approach that centers settler colonialism and indigenous knowledge.

  • Indigenous Knowledge, Environmental Justice, And Building Sustainable Futures For All

    Introduces lay audiences to the concept of Indigenous ecological knowledge and how it intersects with dominant discourses of sustainability.

  • Indigenous Rights-Based Frameworks In California Coastal Conservation

    Draws on Dina’s my recent work in the space of coastal conservation in California to analyze inherent problems in ocean conservation, and show how tribes are initiating their own responses in the face of systematic erasure.

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Dina Gilio-Whitaker's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Dina Gilio-Whitaker's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What is Dina Gilio-Whitaker's speaking fee?
    The typical range for Dina Gilio-Whitaker's speaking fee is $4,000–$8,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Dina Gilio-Whitaker to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.
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  • How do I book Dina Gilio-Whitaker for my event?
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  • Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
    Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.
  • Why book Dina Gilio-Whitaker through Key Speakers?
    We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.

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