Eva Johnson ends tenure as Coordinator of Environment Protection Office

10/15/2014

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The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that Eva Johnson’s tenure as Coordinator of the Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) has come to an end as she prepares for her eventual retirement in 2016.

Her last day in the position was on Friday, 3 Kenténha/October. She will continue to work as an environmental consultant with KEPO during the current restructuring phase. Debbie Morris, a longtime employee with the MCK Lands Unit, will oversee KEPO as part of her new role as General Manager of Lands Operations. 

Ms. Johnson has been involved with community environmental issues for many years. She began her career in 1987 as a volunteer, later receiving a salary from the Women of the Longhouse to open a small Environment Protection Office. By 1990, she was officially contracted by the MCK to coordinate a large tire dump site clean-up and, in 1991, became a full-time employee.

“Eva Johnson has been promoting and protecting the environment for over 25 years and, for that, we’d like to acknowledge her efforts as KEPO Coordinator,” said Chief Clinton Phillips, who holds the Environment Portfolio. “Eva’s nickname ‘Mother Earth’ is well earned. She’s known for her work not only in Kahnawà:ke but well beyond.”

“It’s been a long, uphill struggle to get community members better educated about environmental degradation and bring them aboard the environment protection train,” said Ms. Johnson. “It’s had its ups and downs, with many challenges, misunderstandings and resistance, but it’s been enjoyable nonetheless. If I had to do it all over again, I certainly would. Fighting for our environment is fighting the good fight.”