In this episode of The Catalyze Podcast I speak with Len Necefer.  

Len Necefer, Ph.D., is an assistant professor with joint appointments with the American Indian Studies program & the Udall Center for Public Policy. In addition, he is the founder & CEO of Colorado-based outdoor apparel company NativesOutdoors. His research focuses at the intersection of indigenous people and natural resource management policy. He recently co-directed the film “Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee” about the Gwich’in fight to protect the Arctic Refuge. In his spare time Len is an avid outdoor adventurer using rock/ice climbing, high altitude & ski mountaineering, and type 2 fun to convey stories focused on environmental activism & indigenous history. His work has appeared in the Alpinist, the Climbing Zine, Outside Magazine, Climbing, Patagonia’s Cleanest Line.

In this episode, we discuss how he started Natives Outdoors, how he first got involved in outdoor spaces, outdoor recreation and access, why relationship to land is particularly important for Indigenous peoples, storytelling, and so much more.  

You can find Len here:  

Website: https://natives-outdoors.com/

Instagram: @lennecefer or @nativesoutdoors

You can watch "Welcome to Gwichyaa Zhee" here:  

Film: https://www.gwichyaazhee.us/