Bio of B.J. McManama

Brenda Jo McManama, a native of upstate New York, joined Hebert Green Agroecology in the fall of 2006 to help with research, marketing, and administration. Brenda has over 15 years experience in various research projects, involving writing, editing, design, layout, and publication of legal, government, non-profit and commercial manuals, articles, and training material. She also has extensive experience with computer programs, environments, and equipment, and spent two semesters teaching computer/word processing and office procedures for an adult vocational training academy.

Brenda has been involved with various indigenous groups promoting civil, environmental and political equality. This has included work with the Native Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, education with state and local governments, action committees and demonstration against mountaintop removal in the coal fields of West Virginia, and most recently with the Indigenous Environmental Network's (IEN) Indigenous Aquaculture Network (IAN). IAN promotes relationships and community building in support of tribal cultural and environmental resource issues and food sovereignty as it relates to the water world. She has traveled to Peru to investigate water issues with the Shipibo people of the Amazon River Basin, and most recently to the states of Tabasco and Chiapas Mexico for network building with the Chole', Chontal, and Lacandones, who are working to reintroduce native fish species to their rivers and lakes. These activities, identified as the Eagle/Condor Exchange, have been funded in part by Oregon State University's Aquaculture – Collaborative Research Support Project and Heifer International. Read more about the projects.

Along with travel and network building and support for the IAN Eagle/Condor Exchange, Brenda has been responsible for press releases, reports, and photography, as well as website creation and updates. Over the years Brenda has also written extensively on issues relating to aquaculture, food security, government and corporate supported action harming indigenous communities and current events. Some of her free time has and is spent speaking to various groups of students and other activist groups about American Indian political, historical, environmental and health issues.

Brenda is an active member of The Society of Environmental Journalists and was chosen to participate in the Scripps Howard Institute on the Environment, UC Boulder School of Journalism and Mass Communications, May 2004 and the Native American Journalists Association - writing and educating the general public about serious issues facing indigenous people in the Americas.

Brenda has two adult children, a son currently serving as an Army officer and Blackhawk pilot and a daughter currently studying to be a high school history teacher. She has lived in the WNC area with her husband for seven years.

For more information:

Contributing Writer/Editor:

ROOTS – Gowanda, NY
Passing the Vision The Journal of Rediscovery - WVNAMCO
Aquaculture Magazine - International Fish Farming Industry Publication

Contributing Writer:

Indian Country Today
Native Times
Asheville Global Report
The Original Farmer's Almanac

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