From UUC's Acting for Racial Justice Team:
On October 10, Jacob Johns, Hopi and Akimel O-odham, and a fellow Unitarian Universalist, came from Spokane to share his story of art, courage, and activism. He shared a story of finding his spiritual heart of flaming love and courage. He told us of his journey from time in a maximum security prison where he taught himself to draw and paint portraits as a way to cope with hours of solitary time and begin to heal his soul.
As Jacob continued to develop his art practice and move into climate activism after his release from prison, he would become a tender of hearts, as he connected with other Indigenous spiritual leaders and Elders to bring their prayers and wisdom to United Nations climate talks. He described being at a protest in Arizona, before the 2023 UN climate conference, where he was shot by a counter-protester and nearly died. As he recovered, he continued to raise funds for the Indigenous Wisdom Keepers delegation and attended the climate talks months later.
Jacob is a great example of courage in living our UU values to the fullest. His commitment to still show up after being shot and using the funds he received from the lawsuit against his shooter for the work to continue demonstrates a level of courage and living our commitment of centering love and the interdependent web of life that goes well beyond what many of us aspire to. Jacob shared deeply from his wounded heart, ablaze with love and courage. A wounded heart’s love, “responsive to the suffering of the world” (1) and courage that Rev. Victoria reminded us of — “ a communal practice, built and rebuilt through shared memory and mutual accountability” (2) — a courage that abides.
Links
Wisdom Keepers at the Conference of the Parties UN climate talks
Jacob Johns video “All Together Conference of the Parties 30”.
- Rev. Jacob Kalendae in their September 27, 2026 sermon
- Rev. Victoria Poling in her October 18, 2026 sermon
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