Amy Bowers Cordalis
Amy Bowers Cordalis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Amy Bowers 1980 (age 45–46) |
| Citizenship | United States, Yurok Nation |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon (BS)[1] University of Denver (JD)[2] |
| Occupations | Lawyer, fisherwoman, conservationist |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Movement | Un-Dam the Klamath[3] |
| Spouse | Daniel Cordalis |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Raymond Mattz (granduncle) Susan Masten (aunt) |
Amy Bowers Cordalis is a Native American attorney and citizen of the Yurok Tribe,[4] fisherwoman, Native American civil rights activist, and conservationist, who served as general counsel for the Yurok Tribe.[5] In response to the 2002 Klamath River fish kill, she became a key figure in the Un-Dam the Klamath movement,[6] which resulted in the successful removal of the Klamath River Hydroelectric Project dams.[7]
Early life and education
In 2003, Cordalis graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, minoring in Environmental Studies.[1]
In 2007, Cordalis graduated with a Juris Doctor from the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.[2]
Personal life
Cordalis is married to a Native American Rights Fund lawyer, Daniel Cordalis (Diné). They have three sons.[8]
Honors
- Time 100 Climate (2024)[9]
- United Nations Environment Programme Champion of the Earth (2024)[10][11]
Bibliography
- Cordalis, Amy Bowers (2025). "The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family's Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life". Hachette Book Group. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 978-0-316-56895-1. Archived from the original on 2025-01-15. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
For the Yurok, water is family. The river is our relative. We live in balance with the natural world, and our right to fish is essential to our identity.
References
- ^ a b "Activist, alumna Amy Cordalis is commencement speaker". Oregon News. University of Oregon. June 1, 2023. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ a b "Governor Newsom Announces Appointments 1.14.21". Governor Gavin Newsom. State of California. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ "Undammed". Patagonia, Inc. 2024. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ Van Wing, Sage (July 16, 2021). "Klamath Basin drought: Yurok Tribe". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Stahl, Jess (2024). "Introducing the 2024 Grist 50 List: Amy Bowers Cordalis". Grist. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Anna V. (June 14, 2018). "How a Yurok lawyer from Oregon led her tribe's fight over Klamath Basin's future, and past". OregonLive.com. The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ Ramirez, Rachel (September 1, 2024). "The largest dam removal project in the US is completed – a major win for Indigenous tribes". CNN. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ "Daniel Cordalis". Native American Rights Fund. Archived from the original on July 4, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ Bowers Cordalis, Amy (November 12, 2024). "Amy Bowers Cordalis". Time. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ "Amy Bowers Cordalis - Inspiration and Action". Champions of the Earth. United Nations Environment Programme. 2024. Archived from the original on June 23, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
- ^ Storm, Emily (December 16, 2024). "Local woman receives Champions of the Earth award from United Nations". KOTI-TV. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2025.