Ilima-Lei Macfarlane

(she/her) is the Climate Justice Initiative Coordinator at NDN Collective. Born and raised on the island of O’ahu, she now lives in Kumeyaay territory in San Diego where she works closely with Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island and Hawai’i. She is also a professional MMA fighter and division world champion and trainer. This work led her to create the Nā Wahine Toa Foundation. In response to the MMIW epidemic, the foundation aims to empower women, youth, and Native communities through self-defense workshops, retreats, and cultural exchanges. Ilima holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a focus on Indigenous issues from San Diego State University.