Grandmother Grace Smith Yellowhammer, Dine (Navajo) Elder, Founding Mother of the Prayer Vigil for the Earth

A tireless worker on behalf of her people and all people, Grace Smith Yellowhammer has represented Indigenous issues to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, at the United Nations in NY, and with Congressional representatives in Washington, DC.

At the conclusion of the first small Prayer Vigil for the Earth in October 1993, Grace insisted that the event go forward encouraging the co-founders, Betsy Stang, David Berry, and Sharon Franquemont, to carry on the annual work. She offered deep thoughts on the event's purpose and suggested we gather together to become, One Mind, One Voice, One Heart, One Prayer.

Fourteen years later, the purpose of the Prayer Vigil for the Earth remains the same: to invite us to come together with One Mind, One Voice, One Heart, and One Prayer on behalf and in honor of all life.