Joey Gray (Métis, Okanagan, European) is a computer systems and management consultant for nonprofit organizations. She’s a lifelong organizer who led an international movement to integrate team sport so that women and men now compete together as equals at the top levels of play. Locally around the Salish Sea, nationally in the U.S. and Canada, and internationally from Asia to Europe, Joey co-founded, directed, coached, and oversaw national and world championships, recreation programs, organizations, teams, …and other events. She had the honor to act as head official for a new sport in The World Games held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee, and to award the medals four years later.
But even as Secretary-General and Treasurer on the Executive Committee of a world sport federation – one of few women in such a leadership role – Joey recognized that modern sport as we know it is unsustainable. The championship system and any legitimacy that comes from it is dependent on artificially cheap fuel and excessive waste. We know it’s destructive. It’s destructive not only for Indigenous people worldwide, but for every living thing affected by pollution and climate change.
So several years ago, Joey re-directed her efforts to instead support a wide range of environmental and education groups, campaigns, and peaceful grassroots actions. She stopped flying, doesn’t own a car, lives in a tiny place, and, along with many other caring people, uses her information systems skills and nonprofit leadership experience to make choices like these more and more appealing and fun for all — especially bicycle infrastructure, growing food, politics, conservation, education, and leaving terrible toxic tar sands in the ground right where it belongs. @tarsandsactionseattle
But even as Secretary-General and Treasurer on the Executive Committee of a world sport federation – one of few women in such a leadership role – Joey recognized that modern sport as we know it is unsustainable. The championship system and any legitimacy that comes from it is dependent on artificially cheap fuel and excessive waste. We know it’s destructive. It’s destructive not only for Indigenous people worldwide, but for every living thing affected by pollution and climate change.
So several years ago, Joey re-directed her efforts to instead support a wide range of environmental and education groups, campaigns, and peaceful grassroots actions. She stopped flying, doesn’t own a car, lives in a tiny place, and, along with many other caring people, uses her information systems skills and nonprofit leadership experience to make choices like these more and more appealing and fun for all — especially bicycle infrastructure, growing food, politics, conservation, education, and leaving terrible toxic tar sands in the ground right where it belongs. @tarsandsactionseattle