Zoe Todd 

she/they

~Have you ever heard of a fish philosopher? Imagine putting yourself in a fish’s shoes, or fins rather, looking through its eyes to see how the light reflects and refracts, swimming in its scaly skin through the water, living a day in its fishy life. This is a large part of Zoe Todd’s work as an anthropologist in Canada and indigenous lands. 

Todd’s work can be described on a broad scale as Environmental Anthropology; however, she also describes herself as a “practice led artist researcher” (Todd, personal website). They focus a lot of their work on the biological concepts of water systems and the fish that live in them, but connects that to significant anthropological concepts, including the indigenous cultures that surround those systems and the interactions between settler colonialists and indigenous communities within Canada. A lot of research is aimed at the depletion of water resources and water health by capitalist pursuits by the Canadian government, such as drilling for oil and constructing dams. 

However, they also focus highly on the pluralities that exist in indigenous cultural practices and in “extractive” Canadian cultural practices. She cites the importance of using both systems of practice to implement methods to better the land they live on (From Fish Lives to Fish Law). One of my favorite parts of their work involves their philosophy, which is also held by many indigenous groups across the globe, that there is a dynamic relationship and dialogue between the human and non human beings that live and interact in the environment. She focuses primarily on fish and how they interact in the water systems that the indigenous and Canadian communities do as well. In order to operate effectively in our environments, we have to maintain that dialogue with all things that occupy it. Even aspects like rivers, lakes, and mountains have a voice in this conversation (From Fish Lives to Fish Law).

They also do all of their research in a very distinct framework mindset, which has started to be adopted by more and more ethnographers and researchers who work against the decolonization of anthropology. Todd identifies as Metis, which is an ethnic group native to Canada which encompasses indigenous and French settler heritage. However, Todd highlights their ability to “pass”, or operate in white spaces with more ease than other cultural members. She voices her role in her research as someone who identifies as indigenous but who also has colonial roots. I think this is a significant aspect of anthropology and how it’s evolving. Anthropology has its roots in colonialism, and it’s important for ethnographers to acknowledge that and acknowledge their past role in how anthropology negatively affected many indigenous communities. 

All these aspects of Todd’s research and work combine to form a very informative, eye-opening approach to modern anthropology. A unique aspect of her published work includes art which gives her work a very dynamic and colorful representation. She also uses storytelling to highlight some of her research in another medium. The storytelling aspect intimately connects her work to the people that she works with and the environments they live in. 

Overall Todd’s work is dynamic, inclusive, and contemplative. She works to understand the intersections of the environment and anthropological/cultural practices in a world where the impact those practices have are becoming very evident. While she hasn’t written any edited books, she has contributed to many edited chapters and articles involving the environment, fish philosophies, and indigenous practices, as well as the Anthropocene. Their work also provides a great jumpstart for young anthropologists who are interested in the relationships that exist between the environment and anthropological practice. 

Day, Cora “Zoe Todd (1983-present)”. Counter Canon Project. Wheaton College. Department of Anthropology. CounterCanon Project. Indigenous Research, Pluralities in Fish/Human Life.

Stonefield, Brooke. 2023 "Sameena Mulla (1977)". CounterCanon Project. Department of Anthropology. Wheaton College, MA.