Nadia Bouajila is an Amazigh-American attorney, storyteller, dancer, and activist deeply committed to environmental justice, human rights, and cultural connection.

Born and raised in New Mexico, with formative summers spent in southern Tunisia, Nadia draws from a rich tapestry of personal and ancestral narratives to inspire her work.

From her grandfather’s story as a rural farmer brought to France to rebuild after WWII—only to burn his visa and return to his homeland—to her father’s journey navigating the complexities of the American dream in his family restaurant, Nadia’s perspective has been shaped by stories of resilience.

Her own path was ignited by the Arab Spring and the wave of migration across the Mediterranean, sparking a lifelong commitment to storytelling as a bridge across cultures and continents.

Her grandmother, lovingly called “Oumi Nar” or “Grandmother Fire,” embodied a rhythm and wisdom so in tune with the natural world that you could always find her making tea based on where the sun was in the sky.

This harmony with the earth continues to guide Nadia’s work today.

Most recently, she led a transformative project at the World Bank, improving access to mining legislation and empowering local lawyers to strengthen environmental protections and community rights.

Through this work, she found echoes of important stories from Appalachian coal mines to those of Indigenous land protectors across Turtle Island.

In addition to her advocacy and legal work, Nadia has invested time in learning about peacemaking and leading transformative mediation.

Alongside reconnecting with dance, these practices are helping her evolve the somatic skills behind storytelling, weaving movement medicine into her craft.

Whether advocating for justice, reconnecting with her North African traditions, or facilitating dialogue, Nadia weaves stories that highlight the interconnectedness of the global Indigenous stories, and histories, and present challenges, revealing our interdependence and collective power.