Since returning to unceded xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwəta/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territory, I’ve been able to attend a number of rousing events and community gatherings on environmental justice and indigenous rights. While active resistance is alive and well, support is urgently needed to push back continued colonial expansion. Look through the following sources for more on how you too can get involved. Also, check out my article on the neuroscience of diverse world views of which we all stand to learn positive social and ecological transformation.
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RAVEN: Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs
Legal campaigns for environmental justice and indigenous respect.
Support consent culture, “Not without our go-ahead.”
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Standing on Sacred Ground, PBS 4-part Series
This looks to be an informative, intriguing series on indigenous groups, their world views, and their struggle to survive, resist, and protect their territories.
For more, see Rucha Chitnis’s piece at Intercontinental Cry, and tune in to The PBS World Channel on May 17th.
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“We are Survival, the global movement for tribal peoples’ rights.
We’re the only organization that champions tribal peoples around the world. We help them defend their lives, protect their lands and determine their own futures.
Tribal peoples have developed ways of life that are largely self-sufficient and extraordinarily diverse. Many of the world’s staple crops and drugs used in Western medicine originate with them, and have saved millions of lives. Even so, tribal peoples are portrayed as backward and primitive simply because their communal ways are different. Industrialized societies subject them to genocidal violence, slavery and racism so they can steal their lands, resources and labor in the name of ‘progress’ and ‘civilization’.
Our work is preventing the annihilation of tribal peoples. We give them a platform to speak to the world. We investigate atrocities and present evidence to the United Nations and other international forums. We support legal representation. We fund medical and self-help projects. We educate, research, campaign, lobby and protest. And we won’t give up until we all have a world where tribal peoples are respected and their human rights protected.
We depend on you. We need your money, energy and enthusiasm to help us fight one of the most urgent and horrific humanitarian crises of our time.”
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United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples
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Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call
By Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson
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Stoic For So Long
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We can only stay
Stoic for so long, this long
Until the stench of stagnant waters
Fills warriors’ nostrils
To stomp stomp stamp
Out choking fires
Smoke ’em out
They who stoke the flames
Of greed, hatred, and ignorance
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All daemons released, come to aid
We spill buckets of sweat, blood, and tears
Rip spite’s schtick off
No use for branded aid Bandaids
Naked, sacred rites reveal
All of which is harmonious, good, and true
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Smoke screen clearing
Expose raw wounds
Ripe for intergenerational healing
Spirits of deeds past
To present rights brought
What was once bought is taken
Ignite heart’s fire to set freedom alight
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By A. L. Sisler
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Aiden Sisler Therapy + Wellness 