Thread by @gindaanis

Settler environmentalism as violence against Indigenous women.

Dr Jennifer Brant.

Dr Brant is presenting as part of the Indigenous Rights conference. She has done research on violence against the land as violence against women.

Dr Brant does research on mandatory Indigenous classes and teaches these courses. Looking at the impact that this has on Indigenous students and teachers in this hostile environment. How to offset the tensions of these spaces.

She says that learning about injustices can produce guilt, anger, and shame. People resist this, it challenges the Canadian identity and view of itself. Stepping outside this reaction can serve as a catalyst for change. (Ref. Lisa Monchalin)

Ethical space, two row wampum treaty, and ideas about being a good relative that are part of many Indigenous belief systems. These things ask how do we live in a way that does not infringe upon the space of another?

How does settler environmentalism enact this violence?

Indigenous environmentalism recognizes a web of relationships and the way that preserves and nurtures families

Settler environmentalism reacted to Tagaq's #sealfie with violence, intentionally gendered and questioning her fitness as a mother.

Settler environmentalism has a history and practice of attacking Indigenous peoples, particularly women.

Tagaq asked, has anyone ever visited my community?

Fair question. As a settler environmentalist, what is your relationship with Indigenous people?

Do you have one?

Settler colonialism is a direct way to control land.

That means separating us from the land.

Btw, my son lives to remind you that urban spaces are Indigenous land too.

Settler environmentalism is connected to settler colonialism. It draws on notions of environmentalism to separate us from land and life ways.

Opposition to Indigenous hunting is filled with racist attacks hiding behind the language of environmentalism

Settler environmentalism is not really about the environment. It is about control of land.

She also connects recent comments by Hayden King on land acknowledgements with these mandatory classes.

What is the intention having gained this knowledge? What is your responsibility to it? How can you respond.

I guess that in that vein white feminism isn't really about women. It is about controlling public space and access to power.

Interesting question from the floor.

Given the principle of non interference, what is my role as an ally if I disagree with an Indigenous person?

Jen responds with ideas about multiple truths, worldviews coexisting, being respectful. Being comfortable with this tension.

That's a pretty Nish response from a Haud woman lol.

I'm imagining @MOHAWKEMOTIONS telling the ally to stay in her lane and accept the Indigenous position.