Centre for Human Rights Research to explore the meaning of Land Back for Earth Day
Land Back, a term gaining popularity by young, Indigenous land and water protectors, has been making waves across the continent in political movements that denounce resource extraction projects and processes that exclude Indigenous-led decision–making and consent.
The Land Back movement has gained international attention, including support from the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF). In order to help provide context to the movement, the DSF released a series of three informative videos covering the past, present and future of Land Back that features many prominent Indigenous voices including land protectors, artists and academics.
In response to the popularity of the movement and in conjunction with the release of the videos, the Centre for Human Rights Research (CHRR) is hosting a live viewing and panel discussion exploring the topic of Land Back on Earth Day, April 22 in partnership with DSF and Indigenous Engagement at UM.
“Earth Day is a critical time for the CHRR to host a discussion on Land Back and what it means for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and communities on the territories we inhabit,” says CHRR’s director, Faculty of Arts professor and historian Dr. Adèle Perry. “[The event] will provide us with an opportunity to highlight the connections between environmental degradation and colonialism, as well as racism and dispossession, while addressing how Indigenous rights are connected to the restoration of Indigenous lands and waters.”
CHRR’s event will screen the first video in the series, titled Land Governance – The Past, with a panel presentation from one of the series’ producers Aimée Craft, UM alumna Danielle Morrison [JD/19] and environmental studies student Taylor Galvin. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Perry. Participants are also encouraged to preview videos two and three in the series on the DFS website before the event.
All are welcome to register and attend the event on April 22 at 1 p.m.