David Vanderhoop

As a 2019 Vision Fellow, David Vanderhoop designed and implemented a summer teen leadership training program through Aquinnah-based Sassafras Earth Education. The program hosted 50% native youth and youth of color and integrated three areas: (i) nature connection, care-taking the earth, and permaculture; (ii) decolonizing minds and hearts by taking a hard look at history and historic trauma surrounding Native Americans and People of Color, addressing white privilege, and the persistence of racism; and (iii) healthy lifestyle choices, wholesome practices, natural exercise, wild/ancestral and local foods, and peaceful communication. David believes that integrating these three areas is important because connecting to the land is inherently tied to the identity and knowledge of Native and Indigenous Peoples. In David’s words: “Native People have not received credit, acknowledgement or respect in general, and our educational system reflects the same up to date. The same is true for People of Color, who have seen their history vastly misrepresented and covered up. No wonder that many of our Youth of Color and Native Youth are struggling. White Youth and teens need to develop the communication skills and the understanding of how we can talk to each other about issues like white supremacy and racism in a way that connects cultures and ethnicities, instead of ostracizing them.” Since 2005, Sassafras has offered nature connection mentoring programs to people of all ages, with a special emphasis on teens.