Elena Holly Klaver

2022 Corn Mother Honoree

BIO

Elena was born in Paumanok, now known as Long Island, in New York state. She grew up in a mostly middle class neighborhood, where she always sought out Nature from a young age, and felt more aligned with birds, trees, animals, flowers, the ocean, and the sun and sky than with any family or people in the community. She became an activist for peace, justice, and environmental and Indigenous support issues while in high school and college.
As a musician, certified Spanish interpreter, crafts person, and radio producer, she has always tried to use her skills and energy to work for a more just, peaceful, and equitable world with respect for women and for Mother Earth. Her work to support people, organizations, and communities in these efforts is based on the need to respect ecological and spiritual laws and live in balance with the ecosystems that Mother Earth gives us, and which we need to pass down to future generations of all species.

Elena 'S

LIFE QUOTE

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” 

— Robin Wall Kimmerer

Elena is on pages 7-10

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