​Jonathan Ryker Juárez is an Indigenous, Two-Spirit, Climate Activist and Community Organizer in unceded Tiwa Territory (Albuquerque, NM). Coming from the frontline Indigenous community of Laguna Pueblo, Jonathan has always understood the important role that environmental stewardship has in the complex identity of Indigeneity.

Throughout his 21 years of life, Jonathan has been involved in countless organizations and social movements throughout the state of New Mexico and across the United States. In October of 2016, Jonathan’s family traveled to Standing Rock to deliver food and supplies to Water Protectors on the front lines against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Throughout 2019, Jonathan organized several school climate strikes across Albuquerque where thousands of students united to call for urgent action from local and state officials.

 

Recently, Johnny transitioned into the role of Media Justice Organizer after two years of serving as the Policy Lead of Youth United For Climate Crisis Action (YUCCA) and he serves as the Indigenous Community Defense (ICD) Organizer of Pueblo Action Alliance, a grassroots organization working on the frontlines of combating environmental racism and ecological destruction here in New Mexico.  

 

In 2018 Jonathan was awarded both the Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award from New Mexico Voices for Children and the 2018 Guardian of Liberty Award from the ACLU of New Mexico and in 2019, Jonathon was awarded the Climate Courage Award from the Climate Change Leadership Institute.