Center for Biological Diversity

For Immediate Release, May 11, 2018

Contact: Kierán Suckling, (520) 275-5960, ksuckling@biologicaldiversity.org

Wendsler Nosie Sr. Honored With First Annual Rose Braz Award for Bold Activism

PRESCOTT, Ariz.— The Center for Biological Diversity has awarded the first annual “Rose Braz Award for Bold Activism” to Wendsler Nosie Sr.

Wendsler Nosie Sr. is a former chairman and councilman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. An elder, spiritual leader and activist, he has for decades fought for American Indian rights and tribal sovereignty, protection of sacred places and religious freedom.

Nosie Sr. champions cultural vitality, social justice and environmental and wildlife protection. He currently leads campaigns to protect Arizona’s Mount Graham and Oak Flat.

“We’re honored to present the first ‘Rose Braz Award for Bold Activism’ to Wendsler Nosie Sr. for his bold and successful promotion of American Indian rights and environmental protection,” said Kierán Suckling, the Center’s executive director. “He’s an inspiring visionary, bringing together the fights for tribal sovereignty, religious freedom, wild places, biological diversity and social justice.”

The award is named after Rose Braz, the Center’s climate campaign director, who died in 2017. Rose dedicated her life to strengthening ties between environmental, social justice, labor and faith organizations. Before coming to the Center, she was a renowned human-liberation activist working to abolish the prison-industrial complex.

“Rose always encouraged us to be bold and fight for what’s right and true, not just what’s convenient,” said Suckling. “She never backed down from a daunting challenge. Wendsler perfectly embodies that spirit.”

The award consists of a handcrafted letterpress print by Roger Peet of Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative in Portland, Ore., and a $1,000 cash prize. The print depicts brown pelicans, a recovered endangered species and Braz’s favorite animal, symbolically breaking through a barrier wall.

The award ceremony was held Thursday in Prescott, Ariz.

Wendsler Nosie Sr. and Kieran Suckling

Wendsler Nosie Sr. and Kierán Suckling. Photo courtesy Center for Biological Diversity. Images are available for media use.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org

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