Listening to Indigenous Communities
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"An apology or an acknowledgement is one thing, but what are you going to do next?”
-President Robert Larsen of the Lower Sioux Indian Community
Colonization, systemic racism, and violence has forcibly removed and marginalized the voices of Indigenous communities around the world. The environmental and social violence seen throughout the world embody the destructive nature of colonialism and capitalism and show the consequence of silencing the voices and wisdom of Indigenous Communities.
As we work to heal our communities and our Earth, we must center and be guided by the voices of Indigenous leaders. If their land was not forcibly taken from them, we would not be facing the environmental crises we are.
Check out resources and ideas below for some ways to get started and learn about the people native to the land where you live here. If you have recommended resources to be added to this collection, please email us.
Read
We have included here some of our favorite books for learning about the history of Native Peoples in the United States and how they have been the foundation of the environmental justice movement for centuries. The books are linked to online local bookshops for learning more about each title and purchasing.
For more reading options, check out this comprehensive list of recommendations from First Nations Development Institute.
Listen
Included below are just a few of our favorite podcasts and episodes about Indigenous history, activism, culture, politics, and more. Check them out and listen by clicking below.
Support
Support Indigenous communities by purchasing items by Native-owned shops or donating to support the work of Native-led organizations. Check out a few ideas below to get started:
Follow
Learn about the incredible work Indigenous activists are leading, and follow them on social media and in the news. Here are just a few Native activists to follow to get started:
Quannah Chasing Horse
Han Gwich’in and Oglala Lakota
Nanieezh Peter
Neetsaii Gwich’in and Diné
Winona LaDuke
Anishinaabekwe/ Ojibwe
Dallas Goldtooth
Mdewakanton Dakota and Dińe
Dr. Lydia Jennings
Huichol (Wixáritari) and Pascua Yaqui (Yoeme)
Tara Houska Zhaabowekwe
Other Resources to Support Indigenous Communities
Land Acknowledgement Resources
Check out this article on going Beyond Territorial Acknowledgements by Chelsea Vowel and the video below from our partners at the Field Museum.
Additional Resources to Check Out
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Speech from Hayden King, executive director of the Yellowhead Institute, a First Nation-led research center: 'I regret it'