Frontlines Are Everywhere

Featuring Melina Laboucan Massimo is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta, Canada and she is the Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Earth and co-founder of Indigenous Climate ActionHosted by Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation, Co-Principal Investigator of Borders in Globalization (BIG LAB) - Indigenous InternationalismsMiyowapan/Melina Laboucan-Massimo from the Lubicon Lake Cree Nation in Northern Alberta is the Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Earth Solar and co-founder of Indigenous Climate Action. In this episode, Melina and Jeff discuss her inspiration in working with Indigenous peoples globally to promote environmental justice, as well as her groundbreaking project installing solar panels in her community for her M.A. thesis in the Indigenous Governance department at UVic.Melina also discusses her lifelong work, with her community, in resisting the onslaught of oil, gas, tar sands, and fracking in her homelands of Lubicon Lake Cree Nation. She also discusses her tireless work to stop violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit peoples with the creation of a community-led database called “no more silence”: No More Silence (https://itstartswithus-mmiw.com/). You can follow Melina's work at @sacredearthorg on IG, @sacredearthorg.bsky, social on Blue Sky and Sacred Earth on Facebook.0:49 Melina Bio2:27 Melina Intro4:19 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Melina? 7:28 The start of Melina's journey into climate activism14:32 Who are some of Melina's influential people?21:06 Sacred Earth and solar project36:20 Just Energy Transition Guide 42:27 "Power to the People" Documentary series53:52 How are you sharing your knowledge of climate action with future generations?57:50 What does Indigenous liberation look like to Melina?More from Borders in Globalization:Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVicLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization

In this episode, Jeff is joined by Chris Teuton from the Cherokee Nation and Roger Fernandes from the Lower Elwha S’Klallam Tribe. They discuss storytelling as a powerful tool for transformation, childhood education, and connecting with community teachings – while sharing a few stories along the way!0:00 Episode start00:51 Roger bio1:32 Chris bio3:07 Roger intro6:58 Chris intro11:49 Roger- Where does storytelling fit with Indigenous Internationalism?18:21 Roger - Dog and Wolf story21:51 African story - Dog and Jackal25:53 Chris - How stories connect humanity29:35 Chris - Wolf wears shoes42:17 Permissions and Protocols when sharing stories45:48 Indigenous storytelling in the Digital age51:15 Roger - The runaway boy who became a bear57:37 Chris - Uktena and Thunder 1:09:29 How do storytellers help people accept stories as knowledge?More from Borders in Globalization:Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVicLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization

Vivian Garner Cottrell, Cherokee National Treasure and basket maker, is leading the rivercane basket weaving resurgence. In this episode, she joins Jeff to discuss the significance of basket-weaving and her early challenges making baskets out of rivercane. Deeply connected with her mom and ancestral practices, Vivian describes the process of making a basket, from harvesting and dying to the intensive weaving patterns. The basket is a statement of Indigenous resilience, and Vivian continues to share her knowledge with younger generations so that rivercane basket-weaving extends into the future.

0:21 Podcast start0:59 Vivian bio1:45 Vivian self-intro7:16 Vivian's influential people9:00 Examples of baskets13:22 Chase-weaving technique14:57 How long does it take to weave a basket?16:26 How did Vivian learn about advanced River Cane weaving techniques?20:20 The importance of River Cane weaving and its future23:08 Teaching new generations to weave26:59 What are Vivian's favorite teachings or stories around baskets?28:13 'We are still here' Basket, a statement of Indigenous resilience More from Borders in Globalization:Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVicLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization

In this episode, Jeff is joined by former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad “Corntassel” Smith. They discuss Smith's time as Principal Chief from 1999-2011, and delve into topics such as the importance of perpetuating cultural practices for future generations, the impact of the landmark McGirt Supreme Court decision (2020), and Smith’s previous books including “Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation.” Smith also reflects on influential figures in his life, the Cherokee approach to adversity, and his hope for the Nation to become a “happy and healthy people,” emphasizing the importance of engaged citizens so that future generations will thrive.

00:00 Intro

01:08 Chief Chad Bio

03:09 Chief Chad intro

05:18 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Chief Chad?

08:49 Who are some of Chief Chad's biggest influences?

15:23 Chief Chad's impressions on the McGirt decision

22:04 When faced with adversity, Chrokees survive, adapt, prosper, and excel

30:03 How to enforce Cherokee treaties as living documents

36:20 USA is granting State Governors unjust authority over Indigenous matters, how has this affected the Cherokee nation?

44:06 What does Chief Chad think the Frontlines of Liberation and Freedom look like for the Cherokee nation

47:06 Quote from the book Cherokee Leadership, "Planting seed corn for our childrens' future"

49:48 What are some current events that Chief Chad thinks we should be paying attention to?

51:10 Indigenous peoples worldwide will benefit greatly from sharing knowledge and experience

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UPDATE: After this interview took place, a judge ruled that Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and two land defenders arrested during the 2021 raid of Wet’suwet’en land defence camp were targets of racism, but that their convictions of contempt for court would stand–with reduced sentences. Sentencing decisions for all three land defenders will take place in the fall of 2025.Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and Jennifer Wickham are on the frontlines of Wet’suwet’en land defence. They joined us to discuss topics including the criminalization of Indigenous land defenders, building resilient communities on the frontlines, and their film YINTAH (2024), a documentary covering a decade of Wet’suwet’en resistance. Sleydo’ Molly Wickham is a wing chief of the Cas Yikh people of the Gidimt’en clan. Molly is actively involved in land defense and reoccupation of traditional territories. She previously worked as Governance Director at the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.Jennifer Wickham is a Gidimt'en clan member of the Wet’suwet’en people. Jennifer has been the Media Coordinator for Gidimt'en Checkpoint since 2018 and is co-director and producer of “YINTAH.”

Timestamps

0:49 Molly and Jen bio

2:44 Molly and Jen intro

4:01 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Molly and Jen?

9:50 Molly's influential people13:09 Jen's influential people

17:44 What has been the response to the film, Yintah?

26:22 Did you have to cut anything out from the film?

29:29 Shut Down Canada

36:45 The criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders

45:41 What are the roles of Anarchists for Indigenous solidarity?

55:28 Has DRIPA had any significant impact on Indigenous legal advocacy?

58:11 What are Jen and Molly's vision for Indigenous Liberation?

1:13:19 The power of friendship and good coffee

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Ep. 11: Gitxsan Governance and Land Defense on the FrontlinesFeaturing Kolin Sutherland-Wilson, Gitxsan Nation - Fireweed Clan, from the village of Anspayaxw. Land defender, storyteller, and video-maker.

Hosted by Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation, Co-Principal Investigator of Borders in Globalization (BIG LAB) - Indigenous

00:00 Opening

00:30 Biography

01:24 Introduction

01:52 Indigenous Internationalism as united resistance against colonialism

03:52 Against building a telescope on Mauna Kea

07:52 The shady legal dealings of the Prince Rupert Pipeline

25:30 Has DRIPA played a role in the PRGT pipeline conflict?

30:40 The 2020 invasion of wet'suwet'en land and Kolin's Strike at Parliament

44:30  Gold Commander and the use of humour in media for Land Defense

55:39 In the scope of Past, Present, and Future, what does Indigenous Liberation mean to Kolin?

1:09:08 Land Defence and Teresa Brown's Dog Sanctuary

1:12:44 Resources and Links to know more about the Wet'suwet'en and Kolin

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Featuring Janelle Niles. Janelle is a two-spirit Black - Mi'kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik First Nation in Nova Scotia.

She is a stand-up comedian, emcee, content creator, TV Per-sonality, and creator & producer of Got Land Comedy - Indigenous Comedy Show.Hosted by Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation, Co-Principal Investigator of

Borders in Globalization (BIG LAB) - Indigenous Internationalisms.More from Borders in Globalization:Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook:   / bordersinglobalization  Twitter:   / big_uvic  LinkedIn :   / bordersinglobalization  

0:56 Jeff's bio for Gerry

2:36 Gerry intro

3:23 Gerry's feelings about what it means to be from a "Nation"

6:09 Different ways that Indigenous people express diplomacy

11:00 Getting around Colonial borders to maintain international Indigenous relations and cultures

12:30 Who are some people, human or otherwise, who have inspired Gerry?

15:18 Gerry's role in forming the Native Alliance for Red Power

19:45 How did it feel being the only woman in a leadership role in the early days of the NARP?

 28:47 How did you create alliances with other activist groups?

36:33 How has the Native Alliance for Red Power influenced the current generation?

38:10 Technology as a double-edged sword that affects society

43:43 The evolving role of ceremonies 

47:27 How colonial society prevents connection from the natural world and other people.

51:06 What does Indigenous liberation look like to Gerry?In this episode, Jeff and Gerry

52:47 What are some of Gerry's current projects?

 discuss the formation of the Native Alliance for Red Power (NARP) and grassroots activism in the 1970s, as well as the recent Kwakwaka’wakw mourning ceremony to commemorate the loss of non-human kin, the role of emotions, and more. Gerry Ambers is Kwakwaka’wakw from the ‘Namgis Nation in Alert Bay, and the mother of five children and six grandchildren. Gerry was one of the founding members of the Native Alliance for Red Power (NARP). The group formed in 1967 in Vancouver, BC (Coast Salish / Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territories). NARP’s reach extended beyond state borders, interacting with the broader Red Power movement and the Black Panther movement. Today, Gerry supports the work of art galleries, Indigenous organizations and post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island as an Elder, mentor and healing worker.

In this episode, Jeff and Angela discuss the crisis of mental health in Indigenous communities, the role of the Buffalo Treaty in community healing, the power of Indigenous resilience, emotions as the language of the spirit, and ways communities are breaking through intergenerational trauma.

00:55 Angela bio 

2:12 Angela Self-Intro

3:00 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Angela?

7:20 Difficulties crossing the Medicine Line Canada/U.S.A border

10:26 Cross- border Ceremonies & trade as indigenous internationalism 

11:04 Mistreatment and Breach of Protocol by Border officials

11:42 Who are some of Angela's inspirational people?

16:28 What are some of the challenges facing Indigenous mental health? 

25:16 How does Buffalo Treaty re-establishes the Indigenous relationship to the Buffalo? 

32:08 Using Prayer and Spirituality to navigate loss and resilience

42:12 Religion and Spirituality as different concepts

50:04 The importance of expressing emotions for healing and resurgence

1:03:58 What does life beyond the State mean for Angela?

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Aaju Peter CM is an Inuk lawyer, activist, filmmaker, educator, and clothing designer. She is on the frontlines of defending the rights of Inuit, including the right to an education and to engage in seal hunting. The documentary Twice Colonized (2023) follows Aaju’s efforts to establish a permanent Indigenous forum at the EU while she undergoes a personal journey of loss and healing.In this conversation, Aaju talks about promoting education in Inuit communities, challenges to food sovereignty in the Arctic, the role grief plays in resilience, and more.2:53 Aaju Self-intro3:30 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Aaju?5:07 Aaju's influential people6:09 Aaju wants a University in the NWT8:24 How does Aaju channel her grief against colonial forces?10:24 Colonial forces encroach on Inuit food sovereignty11:51 Change the world and mend your (own) wounds at the same time?13:16 Dark humor to process trauma and fuel indigenous resilience14:37 What are some of Aaju's favorite works she's done?17:01 Struggles of sharing cultural heritage with the new generations?18:21 Addressing some of the current struggles of Indigenous people 20:39 How has the global view of Inuit seal hunting changed over time?22:33 official Indigenous Consulate at the U.N headquarters23:50 Indigenous youth regarding self-determination and the Climate Crisis26:33 What are some ongoing projects that Aaju is excited for?More from Borders in Globalization:Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVicLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization