Maasai Vegan with Jack Lekishon

Powerhouse environmentalist, wildlife conservationist, and animal advocate Jack Lekishon joins the podcast this week from Maasai Mara, Kenya. A native Maasai, Jack shares traditions from the people of The Mara and tells us about the land on which they live and the plethora of wild animals that also know the Maasai Mara as home. Jack also shares why the traditional Maasai diet is so reliant on animals as a food source and outlines how he is encouraging his community to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. Plus, Jack highlights the importance of educating the region’s young people on looming climate change issues and how they can play their part in slowing the progression of the climate crisis.

*We are thrilled to expand the accessibility of our podcast by offering written transcripts of the interviews! Click here to read Mariann’s interview with Jack Lekishon.*

Jack Lekishon is a native Maasai currently residing in Maasai Mara, Kenya. He is committed to preserving the natural environment and teaching young leaders how to be future stewards of the land. Jack aims to inspire youth in Kenya, and more broadly East Africa, to become involved in both wildlife and environmental conservation efforts while raising awareness of the natural world’s great economic, cultural, and aesthetic value. Jack holds a diploma in Wildlife and Tourism and Management and Conservation from Wildlife Clubs of Kenya – Center for Tourism Training and Research. He currently works with Million Dollar Vegan to promote veganism and raise awareness about animal rights and the challenges facing our planet.

“There is a very positive impact when it comes to educating young people.” – Jack Lekishon

Highlights for Episode 654: 

• Jack shares why he made such a huge shift in the way he eats and why he became a vegan  
• Jack’s experience with a vegan food relief program during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the community received the initiative 
• He talks about why the Maasai people traditionally resisted farming and how Jack is working to change the view that a healthy diet has to contain meat 
• He discusses the impact of drought and climate change on the Maasai people’s diet
• He shares the benefits of ecotourism to the Maasai economy
• He offers a brief overview of the conflict between the Maasai people and the Tanzanian government 
• The interview covers Jack’s work with local children on understanding the environmental significance of where they live and how they can protect it 
• We discuss why the Maasai are open to making the necessary changes in their way of life to ensure the safe future of their people
• Finally, we go over how to learn more about and support Jack’s work

Resources:

• BURGER KING: “1 OP 3 VERKOCHTE WHOPPERS IN BELGIE IS VEGGIE”
• “Normal or With Meat?”: All Burger King Items Are Plant-Based in Austrian Experiment, Meat Must be Requested
• Episode 596: DefaultVeg ft. Katie Cantrell
• Lewis Bollard on Twitter
• Miyoko’s Creamery

Connect with Jack Lekishon:

• • Jack Lekishon on Facebook
  • Million Dollar Vegan Website
  • GoFundMe Food for Maasai Community in Kenya
  • GoFundMe Help Us Save Isaac!
  • GoFundMe Help Maasai Girls Stay In School

Connect with Our Hen House:

• Our Hen House Website
• Our Hen House on Facebook
• Our Hen House on Instagram
• Our Hen House on Twitter

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Don’t forget to check out Our Hen House’s other podcasts: The Animal Law Podcast, The Teaching Jasmin How to Cook Vegan Podcast, and the Antiracism in Animal Advocacy Audio Series.

The Our Hen House theme song is written and performed by Michael Harren.

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This episode is brought to you in part by Miyoko’s Creamery. From their humble beginnings with 4 employees in Miyoko’s home kitchen, to a 30,000 sq ft. state-of-the-art facility in Sonoma, Miyoko’s Creamery is leading the way in transforming the future of the creamery. Miyoko’s Creamery is changing perceptions of vegan food, to inspire people from all walks of life to enjoy a phenomenally vegan lifestyle and right now our listeners can get 15% off by visiting their website and checking out with code HENHOUSE15.

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This episode is brought to you in part through the generosity of A Well-Fed World. A Well-Fed World provides the means for change by empowering individuals, social justice organizations, and political decision makers to embrace the benefits of plant-based foods and farming. Learn more at awfw.org.