Xóchítl Garcia: Indigenous Climate Leadership in Connecticut
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Provided by: Project Drawdown|Published on: January 8, 2024
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This interview and related materials focus on Xóchítl Garcia, an Indiginous-Chicana community leader who grows organic crops, teaches about traditional ecological knowledge, writes poetry, and does so much more in her New Haven, Connecticut community.
- Students will hear, read about, and discuss Xóchítl's story, which addresses poverty, the importance of representation, and the importance of information that isn't in books but comes from powerful conversations.

Subjects: Civics, English Language Arts, Career Skills
Authors: Project Drawdown
Region: North America, USA - Northeast, United States, Connecticut
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The interviewee emphasizes the importance of rest and reflection in her work.
- This interview covers various topics and focuses on the interviewee holistically, with information about her hobbies, pathway to her career, and inspiration.
Additional Prerequisites
- Before watching the video, students may need the terms white flight, traditional ecological knowledge, and others defined.
- It may benefit students to precede this video with a lesson or discussion about systemic injustice.
Differentiation
- Language arts students can analyze and identify poetic devices used in the poem written and shared by Xóchítl Garcia and discuss the theme of this piece. Students can then write poetry with the same theme or use some of the identified poetic devices.
- The interviewee mentions Save the Sound. Teachers can use this resource to expand on Save the Sound and their work.
- Students can discuss the importance of representation in movements like the climate justice movement.
- Xóchítl Garcia is a leader and change-maker in her community. Students can brainstorm what their communities need from them to be more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous.
This resource emphasizes how Indigenous peoples are driving the climate discourse. Since they have been taking care of the environment for millennia, it is critical to incorporate their wisdom in order to address the climate crisis.
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider

Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a nonprofit organization that seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”—the future point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline. Cities, universities, corporations, philanthropies, policymakers, communities, educators, activists, and more turn to Project Drawdown as they look to advance effective climate action. Project Drawdown resources for educators include the database of Drawdown Solutions, educational video series Climate Solutions 101, the Drawdown Stories initiative, and more.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
