Colorado Geographies Panel
Shannon Francis (Hopi/Dineh)
Executive Director
Spirit of the Sun, Inc.
Lucy Molina
Environmental Justice Activist
Commerce City, CO
Ana Miller
Advocate/Organizer
Housekeys Action Network Denver (H.A.N.D)
The Colorado Geographies event will feature a panel of community leaders, elders, and activists living, working, who express the everyday ways of enacting life affirming geographies in the here and now. Indigenous community leader, Shannon Francis brings a wealth of wisdom on the everyday care taking of elders, Native ecologies, and models for enacting youth education. Latine environmental justice leader, Lucy Molina brings decades of knowledge on enacting community environmental monitoring and organizing for ecological and racial justice. Ana Miller is an organizer with Housekeys Action Network, a collective of advocates for the unsheltered community. Ana brings a decade of experience in advocating for the needs and desires of the unsheltered community. The culmination of these speakers expresses the multiple ways Colorado communities are already enacting life affirming geographies.
Panelist Bios:
Shannon Francis
Shannon Francis, is Hopi and Dineh from the Southwest homelands of Arizona and New Mexico. She is from the Towering House clan born for Red Running into the Water clan. Her Hopi clans are Massau', Bear, Sand, and Snake Clan. Shannon comes from twelve generations of farmers, ethnobotanists, and seed keepers. As a certified Permaculture Designer and Instructor, Shannon weaves TEK Traditional Ecological Knowledge with innovative science. She loves to educate on caretaking of land, water, and soil resources; preserving Native heirloom GMO-free seeds, zero-waste philosophy, and how to live more harmoniously with nature. Shannon is the Executive Director for Spirit of the Sun, Inc. in Denver. Shannon served on the Four Winds council as Board Chair and continues to serve on the Leadership council for American Indian Movement of Colorado (AIM). Shannon is currently a 2023 Livingston Fellow through Bonfils Stanton Foundation. Spirit of the Sun received the 2020 Human Rights Award from Youth Celebrate Diversity. Shannon received the Justin B. Willie humanitarian award (2014) on the Navajo Nation as well as the Cesar E. Chavez female leadership award (2015) for her work with Indigenous, food justice, and community building projects. Shannon has six wonderful children and four amazing grandchildren that are her inspiration to make this a better world for all future generations to come.
Lucy Molina
Lucy Molina is a dedicated environmental justice activist from Commerce City, CO, renowned for her tireless efforts in advocating for cleaner air and healthier living conditions in her community. As a prominent figure in the fight against environmental racism, Lucy has been a pivotal voice in highlighting the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on marginalized communities. Her activism gained widespread recognition with her compelling appearance in the film A Good Neighbor, where she passionately shared the stories and struggles of her community.
In addition to her role in the documentary, Lucy has been featured on PBS and various local and international news outlets, amplifying her message and reaching a broader audience. Her work has earned her significant accolades, including recognition from environmental organizations and community awards for her unwavering commitment to justice and equity.
Lucy's passion for her community is evident in every endeavor she undertakes. She has organized numerous rallies, community meetings, and educational campaigns to raise awareness and drive change. Her relentless advocacy has not only brought attention to the environmental challenges faced by Commerce City but has also inspired many to join the fight for a cleaner, healthier future.
Ana Miller
Ana-Lilith Miller (she/her 🏳️⚧️). Ana is a 43 year old trans woman with 12 years experience living on the streets. She is an advocate/organizer with Housekeys Action Network Denver (H.A.N.D.) coming up on 3 years with them. We are a houseless rights group that advocates with the houseless community to give them a voice in their treatment. She believes that "Housing Is a Human Right For All", and that the best way to achieve systemic change is by uplifting the voices of the houseless themselves.