Jansikwe Medina-Tayac
Takoma Park,MD
Summary
Indigenous and Latina environmental justice activist, national award winning filmmaker, and speaker. Experienced in organizing local to national level actions to unite, educate, and rally communities across diverse cultures on the intersectionality of ethnicity, gender, and climate issues.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Native Initiatives Coordinator
Pitzer College
2022.03 - Current
- Working with college administration to develop programming for native students and advocate fo their needs
- Connect students with local tribes, organizations and native academics
- Prepare and administer budget of $3000 each semester
- Work with administration to advocate for needs of native students
Spanish Language Fellow
Pitzer College
2022.01 - Current
- Plan events for foreign language department
- Lead weekly Spanish conversation groups for beginner to intermediate Spanish students
- Facilitate activities to improve students' listening, speaking, and writing skills in Spanish
Leadership for Change Intern
Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian
2023.05 - 2023.08
- Utilized archive and collections database to conduct research for the history and culture department on indigenous resistance and cultural justice
- Completed Case Study reports and timeline of key events
- Developed public programming for the 2024 Folklife Festival
Media Intern
Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
2022.09 - 2023.05
- Engaged in photography, graphic design and video content of tribal events to to boost the tribe's online presence.
- Managed and designed website.
- Conducted interviews of tribal elders to preserve cultural knowledge and tribal history.
Server
Busboys And Poets
2020.09 - 2021.07
- Worked to create a welcoming environment for customers and cater to their needs while taking orders, running food, bussing tables, and managing bills
Community Organizer
This Is Zero Hour
2019.01 - 2020.04
- Participated in strategy development and planning to grow organizing program and advance campaigns
- Organized mass climate strikes, school walkouts, workshops, and leadership summits to bring attention to environmental justice issues.
- Met with climate organizations and key environmentalists to collaborate on projects and get funding.
- Spoke at rallies, protests, conferences, and community events.
Intern
Many Languages One Voice
2019.06 - 2019.08
- Planned and facilitated a five day summer institute for student organizers for immigrant Latinx youth.
- Led weekly meetings for immigrant Latinx youth to learn about community organizing and leadership
- Managed a budget of $50,000 accounting for staff, intern, and contact salaries, office rent, and program expenses
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Media Studies 4.0 GPA
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA05.2025
Skills
- Community Outreach
- Video Production
- Project Coordination
- Public Speaking
- Social Media Platforms
- Premier Pro and Final Cut Pro
- Interpersonal and Social Skills
- Youth Engagement
Speaking Engagements
- People's Climate March Indigenous Rally (April 2017)
- Montgomery County Rise for Climate Rally (September 2018)
- Feminist Majority Foundation Panelist (March 2018)
- DC Youth Climate Strike (September 2019)
- Fire Drill Fridays with Jane Fonda (November 2019)
- Unity Earth Peace Day at the United Nations (September 2020)
- Brown University Watson Institute Strategizing for Climate Justice (April 2022)
- Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum Environmental Justice Guest Speaker (March, May, July 2023)
Films
- Jornalerx (2021) - OC Film Fiesta
- I Am Omar (2019) - Collaboration with The Library of Congress
- In the Shadow of the Capitol (2019) - CSPAN StudentCam Honorable Mention
- No Trespassing: Seeking Justice for Native Women (2018) - First prize CSPAN StudentCam
Timeline
Leadership for Change Intern
Smithsonian National Museum Of The American Indian
2023.05 - 2023.08
Media Intern
Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
2022.09 - 2023.05
Native Initiatives Coordinator
Pitzer College
2022.03 - Current
Spanish Language Fellow
Pitzer College
2022.01 - Current
Server
Busboys And Poets
2020.09 - 2021.07
Intern
Many Languages One Voice
2019.06 - 2019.08
Community Organizer
This Is Zero Hour
2019.01 - 2020.04
Bachelor of Arts - Media Studies 4.0 GPA
Pitzer College
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