It is with deep sadness that Earthworks mourns the loss of Katherine Jefferson Bancroft, who passed away this week. Kathy served as the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Lone Pine Paiute Shoshone Tribe in California. She was a visionary protector of land, water, and culture in her homeland of Payahuunadü.
We are grateful for everything Kathy taught us, and for the privilege to have served in solidarity with Kathy to protect Conglomerate Mesa from gold mining and advocate for reforming the 1872 mining law. In 2021, Kathy was invited to testify before Congress, sharing her family’s story of the US government forcibly displacing her Tribe from their own lands.
Kathy constantly built connections between communities, raised awareness, and educated policymakers and environmentalists on Tribal sovereignty and environmental justice. She organized annual events with the Manzanar community of Japanese-Americans imprisoned by the US Government during World War II.
Faced with so many projects seeking permission to cross, dig, and drill on sacred lands, Kathy always stood firm to protect what matters. She won recognition for Patsiata (Owens Lake) on the National Register of Historic Places, protected burial grounds from desecration by a highway project, and tirelessly defended Conglomerate Mesa from a long line of gold mining companies.
We feel Kathy’s loss deeply and know the world is a better place because of her leadership. We honor her memory by standing firm in our commitment to protect Conglomerate Mesa, and we send our deepest condolences to Kathy’s loved ones and community.
If you would like to share a memory or tribute to Kathy to be included in her memorial, you can do so here.
