Lyz Jaakola is a Anishinaabe/Finnish-American and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa member. She has 28 years of experience as an educator and musician and a history of community involvement. Jaakola spent 14 years on the Tribal College board of directors, four years on the Fond du Lac Cultural Resource Advisory Board, and three years on the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival’s board. Jaakola is a UMD alumnus with a master’s degree in music.
Lyz Jaakola on climate justice in the Cloquet community:
“Our city borders and overlaps with a sovereign indigenous nation. The two entities state in their formal documents that they will coordinate efforts to decide how to utilize, conserve or preserve natural resources, but I think it may be a different experience in practical measures. I will work to improve communication and follow through with these stated efforts of coordination.
“Clean water, clean air and responsible use of nature and all her resources is beneficial to all citizens. I will work toward protecting all citizens’ rights and interests in these issues.
“I have been actively teaching people about healthy environment, community and relationships for 30 years. I don’t plan to stop anytime soon.”
