Kelsey Leonard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelsey Leonard
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| Nationality | Shinnecock Nation |
| Academic background | |
| Alma mater | Harvard University (B.A.) University of Oxford (M.Sc.) Duquesne University School of Law (J.D.) McMaster University (Ph.D.) |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | University of Waterloo |
Kelsey Leonard is an important researcher who studies how water is managed. She focuses on the water rights of Indigenous (Native American) communities. She works at the University of Waterloo in Canada.
Kelsey Leonard made history in 2012. She was the first Native American woman to earn a science degree from the famous University of Oxford in England. Her degree was a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in water science, policy, and management. For her master's research, she wrote about how water quality on Native American lands is often not protected.
Who is Kelsey Leonard?
Kelsey Leonard is a proud member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. This is a Native American tribe from Long Island, New York. She grew up on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.
Her Amazing Education
Kelsey Leonard has studied at many top universities. In 2010, she was the first person from the Shinnecock Nation to graduate from Harvard University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. She studied how societies and cultures work.
After Harvard, she continued her studies. She earned a law degree (J.D.) from Duquesne University School of Law. This degree helps her understand laws about water. She also earned a Ph.D. (a very high research degree) in political science from McMaster University.
Today, she is a professor at the University of Waterloo. She teaches and researches about water and Indigenous rights.
Protecting Water Rights
Kelsey Leonard is a strong voice for water. She believes that lakes and rivers should have legal rights, just like people do. This idea means that water bodies would be protected by law from pollution and harm.
She gave a famous speech called a TED Talk. It was titled "Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans." Millions of people have watched her talk. She explains why it's so important to protect water for everyone. Her work helps make sure that Native American communities have clean and safe water.
