Alphonso (Fonz) Smith-Waupoose

Fonz Smith-Waupoose is from the Menominee Reservation in Northeast Wisconsin, and is a member of the Bear Clan. He is pursuing a dual master’s degree in Environmental Justice and Environmental Policy & Planning from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. Fonz’s research examines the ethics of transboundary water treaties, both regionally and internationally, and their impacts on Tribal Nations and other communities of color. As a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, he holds a B.S. in Philosophy with a concentration in Religious studies, minors in Environmental Studies and Environmental Ethics, and a certificate in Environmental Justice. Through his work, Fonz aims to bridge the gap between communities of color and the science, laws and policies which impact their relationship to the natural world.