Resources Towards Reconciliation and Land Back for Non-Indigenous Environmentalists in Wabanaki


DECOLONIZATION WORK

  • On Supporting Environmental Organizations in Decolonization Work—Resource Guide
    This project from Community Forests International is a "reminder that everyone has the responsibility to fight for Indigenous autonomy, justice and equity;" a "document that highlights some of the resources and tools created by experts and knowledge holders, with a focus on Indigenous-created sources;" a "recognition that environmentalists, especially those working with land, have a role in reconciliation that is different from others;" and an "advocate for earning and sustaining allyship, beyond tokenism and statements without commitment."


THE WABANAKI CONFEDERACY

  • History of the Wabanaki Confederacy—Podcast and Article
    This article and podcast discusses the history of the Wabanaki Confederacy and the five Indigenous Nations that make it up—Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Peskotomuhkatiyik, Penobscot, and Abenaki.


INDIGENOUS PLACE NAMES

According to Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmawei Mawiomi, Indigenous place names reflect a deep relationship between the people and the environment: "They describe the features of the landscape and, to a lesser extent, how oral history is woven into specific places in the landscape. In this way, when people discuss their travels and the routes they followed, at the same time, they draw a portrait of the landscape and what happened there. This allows other travellers to 'recognize' many of the landmarks on the landscape even when they see them for the first time."

  • The Wabanaki Forest—Article
    This article from Community Forests International notes the importance of using Indigenous place names: "Language has been and continues to be used as a tool of colonization—but language can also be a tool for reconciliation. Using Indigenous place names is one way in which Indigenous peoples are reclaiming the land from settler states—and is a way all people can honour the land and the Indigenous Nations who have called it home since time immemorial."

  • "So-Called Canada"?—Article
    This article notes that "the phrase 'so-called Canada' is deeply rooted in the struggle for Indigenous sovereignty post-colonial contact. But there’s more behind its popularization as a phrase in climate justice, racial justice, and anti-poverty movements. Saying 'so-called Canada' is a way to name and confront the unjust systems of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy that dominate our lives—systems that fueled the injustices throughout the so-called founding of Canada and systems that are the root causes of the climate crisis."


INDIGENOUS MAPS

  • L'nu Place Names in NB maps Wabanaki Confederacy place names in NB.
  • Whose Land assists users in identifying Indigenous Nations, Territories, and Communities in Canada.
  • First Nation Profiles is a tool from the government of Canada that maps First Nations and Tribal Councils in Canada, and provides links to Community websites.
  • Indigenous Dispossession maps the dispossession of Indigenous Peoples over time in both Canada and Palestine.
  • Native Land maps Indigenous Territories, Treaties, and Languages across the world.


LAND BACK

  • Canada, it's Time for Land Back—Video w/ Transcript
    In this video, Pamela Palmater discusses the importance of Land Back, noting "that even though Indigenous Peoples make up less than 5% of the world’s population, we protect 80% of global biodiversity. More land in First Nations control means a safer climate for everyone."

    "First Nation jurisdiction over lands and waters would not only be a matter of justice, but a pathway for Canada to a more sustainable relationship to the natural world."

  • Why Land Back Matters—Interview
    In this interview, Pamela Palmater—"acclaimed activist, lawyer, professor, podcaster, author, Mi’kmaw citizen, and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick"—describes the basics of Land Back, clarifying a common misconception: "Land Back does not mean kicking all settlers out of their homes [...] The majority of the lands, more than 90%, are held by the Crown [...] So there's more than enough land to return to Indigenous Nations, and it wouldn't impact our settler allies, friends and neighbors and family members."

  • What Is Land Back?—Resource Guide
    This resource guide from the David Suzuki Foundation includes: a video series on the past, present, and future of land governance in Canada; a video series on the history of treaties in Canada; and a list of things one can do to support Land Back.

  • Land Back—Red Paper
    This document from the Yellowhead Institute "breaks down the current status of land dispossession in Canada, focusing on alienation through resource extraction." It also examines "various forms of redress, recognition," and provides "examples of reclamation—meaningful Indigenous economies outside of state policies and legislation."

    "This Red Paper is ultimately about Indigenous consent."


INDIGENOUS LAND STRUGGLE

Land Struggle in Wolastoq

Wolatoqey Nation have been resisting NB Power—a Crown corporation—since 1844. More recently, they have been resisting J. D. Irving (JDI)—a private company. They are also asking the Canadian court to declare that they have "Aboriginal Title" to their Homeland, which is most of so-called New Brunswick. Read the articles below for more info.



Land Struggle in Mi'kma'ki

One of the Mi'kmaw Nation's main Land Struggles over the past 25 years have been with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)—a federal institution. Read the articles below for more info.



Land Struggle at Skutik

The Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik have been recently resisting NB Power's Point Lepreau nuclear generation station, which is on Peskotomuhkati Homeland. Read the articles below for more info.



Land Struggle in So-Called Canada—Article
This article summarizes Indigenous Land Struggle in so-called Canada from 1921 to 2020—from Jean Baptiste to Wet'suwet'en—the time of the article's publication.


THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC)



HOW TO BE AN ALLY



TAKE ACTION!
 © 2018 NBEN / RENB