Uncolonizing Focus Questions

Before jumping to relationship building with Indigenous peoples it is important to become more aware of our own colonial mindset, individually and collectively,  how it impacts our view of the world (and climate justice), and how we engage within creating change.  Without an increase in awareness we risk repeating the same destructive patterns at all layers of society.

Consider working through these questions:

• What is your group's level of understanding of historical and current colonization practices in Canada, the benefits for settlers, and the consequences for Indigenous peoples?

Learning opportunities:

• • • • • • • CUC's Un-colonizing Focus Group Materials (email- reconciliation@cuc.ca)

            • : "Indigenous Canada", University of Alberta; Free Online Course

            • CUC's Truth Healing and Reconciliation Guides (email- reconciliation@cuc.ca) 

• In what ways has your group shifted from being quantitatively based (what is right/wrong, good/bad, what we stand for/don't) to qualitatively (relationship) based (inter-being of all things, honoring sovereignty, re-distributing power, equity vs equality )?  What areas require more work?

• Has your group carefully examined its own culture as it relates to white supremacy characteristics?   What did you discover?

• To what degree does each person involved know about their personal settler history?  The settler history history of the area you're in?

• Has your group begun to learn whose territories you're on and make efforts to rectify ongoing injustices such as land you own and occupy without Indigenous consent, and without any benefit to them? See these films from "Land Back" for Indigenous perspectives

• In what ways do you view the land as separate from yourself, speak of it this way, and act as though this is true?

• In what ways do you ascribe to the colonial views of land ownership? How is that shaping what you see is possible in terms of conciliation, land, and climate justice?  See these films from "Land Back" for Indigenous perspectives

• In what ways do you speak as though the earth needs you to ensure her survival rather than you needing the earth to ensure your survival (think about slogans, talking points, commercials, etc.)?  Why is this an important distinction?

• Some feelings of urgency are likely due to the climate-related consequences we are experiencing because of our collective choices,  and some are likely an enduring characteristic of white supremacy culture.  Which is which?  How can you know the difference? 

• To what degree does your group behave as though seeking the involvement and leadership of Indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge in your local movements is optional? 

As a reference: Imagine if we approached the inclusion of women and feminist views with the same infrequency and devotion as we do Indigenous peoples and views.  How would that feel?

• In what ways do you use the involvement of Indigenous people(s) as a "feather in your cap"?

• In what ways are you, or the movements you are involved in, creating space for Indigenous leadership at the decision-making tables during the design, consultation, writing, follow-up, and other stages of the initiative/policy/movement?  In what ways are you falling short?

• Has your group closely examined the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure you know what actions you must follow to honor these rights?

• In what ways have you set your climate movement's culture, and then tried to get Indigenous peoples/nations/organizations to participate in what you think is important, in the way you think is best?

• To what degree is your movement expecting Indigenous peoples to do the extra work of educating you (their oppressors) and dealing with whatever backlash results?

• When an Indigenous person chooses to contribute to your learning, are you providing proper compensation for Indigenous knowledge and involvement or expecting them to participate for free?  What logic underlies a belief that they should participate for free?  

• How does your local movement demonstrate your understanding that colonialism, capitalism,  silencing Indigenous voices, and removal of Indigenous peoples from the land,  are inextricably linked and have created the climate crisis?  

• Within your movement is there an appropriate balance between un-colonizing your worldviews/cultures and building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples/nations and returning Land (decolonizing)? 

• When you support/promote carbon offset initiatives, green-based strategies, and environmental legislation how much research are you doing to ensure that Indigenous peoples were fully aware, involved in decision-making positions, giving full consent, and are not experiencing any loss of rights due to the new designation on their territory?

• How closely do the actions of your local climate justice initiative role model the way of interacting you want colonial governments to show in their relationship with Indigenous peoples and Nations?  What areas would you like to give attention to? 

• In what ways are you currently showing up in support of Indigenous-led movements related to whatever issues are important to them?