| Mona Polacca | |
|---|---|
| Tribe | Hopi/Havasupai/Tewa |
| Born | January 22, 1955 |
| Known for | President, CEO and faculty of the Turtle Island Project |
| Education | Arizona State University Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Relatives | Manakaja, chief of Havasupai from 1900 to 1942 |
Mona Polacca is a Native American spiritual elder from Arizona.[1] She has worked to further social justice for indigenous people from an early age. She is an author in the field of social sciences, has held posts of responsibility as Treasurer for her tribe[2] and served on several committees for Indigenous Peoples within the United Nations.[3]
In recent years, due to her continued extensive work as an indigenous elder stateswoman, Mona has gained international recognition for her work as one of the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers - a group of spiritual elders, medicine women and wisdom keepers since its founding in 2004.[4]
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Mona became interested in indigenous social justice at the age of 14 when she first heard about the occupation of Alcatraz Island by a Native American group called Indians of All Tribes in 1969. Although Mona was only 14 years old she wanted to visit the island and was allowed to do so by her parents.[5]
Mona has held many positions relating to social justice including.
In 2004, Mona was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.[11] Grandmother Mona is the youngest of the 13 Grandmothers[12]
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull and related edicts which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.[13]