Member Spotlight: Wasontiiosta “Wass” George
Wasontiiosta ”Wass” George is a 3-year member of Local 338 who works
as a cultivation technician at MedMen. She’s a registered Mohawk of the
St. Regis tribe in Upstate New York and an absentee Shawnee. Shortly
after graduating high school, Wass moved out to Arizona for college at
Arizona State where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in science and an
American Indian degree.
She lived in Arizona for 12 years, 8 of which were spent doing research for both the federal and local tribal governments. She decided to move back to New York in order to be closer to her community and family. Wass says that she learned a lot from her work with the government, but it was important for her to be back in New York and to participate in her community’s traditions and ceremonies.
The daughter of activists, Wass is proud of the resilience of the Native community because of their ability to overcome generational struggles and to advocate for their rights as Native Americans. She has followed in the footsteps of her parents and her community and has been involved in a lot of Civil Rights and Native movements, such as Standing Rock.
“I think that there’s a lot of pride in who we are, and how we’ve managed to really start to put ourselves out there in the mainstream. We’re definitely making a showing where, you know, we’re still here, we’re still relevant.”
Wass began working in the medicinal cannabis industry in 2018, with the hope of one day opening her own dispensary. She says that by working with cannabis, it connects her to her culture’s use of plant-based medicines and allows her to use her science degree to do something she loves.
“Plant medicines have always been a huge part of our culture, our ceremonies, and our treatments,” she said. “Working in cannabis has given me a chance to really dig in and use my science background. Being a Native woman and a scientist is something that I’m really proud of.
”We’re proud to have you in our union family, Wass! Keep up the good work at MedMen and best of luck on your journey to opening a shop of your own!
She lived in Arizona for 12 years, 8 of which were spent doing research for both the federal and local tribal governments. She decided to move back to New York in order to be closer to her community and family. Wass says that she learned a lot from her work with the government, but it was important for her to be back in New York and to participate in her community’s traditions and ceremonies.
The daughter of activists, Wass is proud of the resilience of the Native community because of their ability to overcome generational struggles and to advocate for their rights as Native Americans. She has followed in the footsteps of her parents and her community and has been involved in a lot of Civil Rights and Native movements, such as Standing Rock.
“I think that there’s a lot of pride in who we are, and how we’ve managed to really start to put ourselves out there in the mainstream. We’re definitely making a showing where, you know, we’re still here, we’re still relevant.”
Wass began working in the medicinal cannabis industry in 2018, with the hope of one day opening her own dispensary. She says that by working with cannabis, it connects her to her culture’s use of plant-based medicines and allows her to use her science degree to do something she loves.
“Plant medicines have always been a huge part of our culture, our ceremonies, and our treatments,” she said. “Working in cannabis has given me a chance to really dig in and use my science background. Being a Native woman and a scientist is something that I’m really proud of.
”We’re proud to have you in our union family, Wass! Keep up the good work at MedMen and best of luck on your journey to opening a shop of your own!