SII-AM HAMILTON on Respect-Based Futures /209
Ta’Kaiya Skoden Stoodis Blaney and Sii-am Hamilton courtesy of @siiamhamilton
“It is in direct favor of all people living on this land to abolish those systems because if they can turn on one group, they can turn on all groups. And it’s really important to find new and imaginative, futuristic ways for us to protect ourselves and grow and build capacity within our communities so that we can find a better way forward.”
In this powerful conversation with land defender Sii-am Hamilton, we are invited to discuss futuristic ways forward in recognition that Indigenous communities have been practicing creative resistance against colonialism and capitalism for hundreds of years. We begin by discussing what is currently transpiring on Wet’suwet’en territories and how colonial governments are using the current pandemic (and will use future crises) to roll back regulatory measures and push development full force. Sii-am offers a holistic reflection on frontline land defense and the extent to which violence is afflicted upon land defenders, and resource extraction participants, by transnational corporations, while also reorienting us to the reality that just, dignified, and brilliant futures already exist but are not given attention, curiosity, or love because they do not serve corporate profit.
“At the foundation of what I see for a future, for this land, is based upon respect.”
Photo of Sii-am Hamilton
Sii-am Hamilton is a Sto:lo and Nuučaan̓uł land defender and traditional knowledge holder born in occupied Hupacasath territory, Port Alberni, British Columbia to mother Kwitsel Tatel and father Ron Hamilton. Their experience stems from time on the land, feast culture, and living traditional law and protocol. They are a qualified hand poke tattoo artist as well as a song holder. Sii-am has been raised in political organization, land title, and grassroots activism since childhood, and now specializes in publicity/media promotion of environmental and land sovereignty movements. Sii-am does Indigenous youth solidarity organizing across Turtle Island with a focus on raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman, Girls, and 2Spirit people. They have plans to continue their learning through academic study with an end goal of disseminating all forms of settler colonialism in exchange for the survival of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people around the world.
This powerful episode also explores what it means for settlers to ally with Indigenous sovereignty, youth leadership, the media’s role in profit protection, and the overwhelming necessity of abolishing colonial governments in order to secure some semblance of a future under climate change.
♫ Music by Elisapie
Take Action
If you learned from Sii-am in this conversation, you can support them via PayPal: siiamhamilton@gmail.com
References & Recommendations
Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en
Fact check: are B.C.’s LNG ambitions compatible with its climate goals?
B.C. eyes emissions trading to offset effects of LNG development, government documents show
Indigenous Blockades Don’t Just Decry Destruction—They Affirm Life
Indigenous youth are rising up in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en
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For The Wild Podcast is an anthology of the Anthropocene; focused on land-based protection, co-liberation and intersectional storytelling rooted in a paradigm shift away from human supremacy, endless growth and consumerism.