Decolonization Is for Everyone | Nikki Sanchez | TEDxSFU

“This history is not your fault, but it is absolutely your responsibility.” A history of colonization exists and persists all around us. Nikki discusses what colonization looks like and how it can be addressed through decolonization. An equitable and just future depends on the courage we show today. “Let’s make our grandchildren proud”.

[nsg_kuunda]

We all need to be engaging in land and water defense. Not only indigenous people.

[Whalebarf]

I was wondering what I was feeling. It’s historical bystander trauma. Glad to start the healing process.

[laurenmickens]

I did my research, and found on my mother’s side I have grandmothers and grandfathers born as Indigenous people in Michigan, Canada and Wisconsin as well as from France. But I am still sad because while I have the exact names and locations of my indigenous grandparents, history and tribes everyone I spread the word to down plays. At work, they think it’s a joke. I am not wanting to become mean about it, but how can I prove to people this is serious, and that indigenous people really do exist? Even though I guess I would be called Métis, the US doesn’t use this term and I live in Detroit right by Canada, and my peoples been here 100’s of years! Nobody listens and shrug me off. I feel very alone and confused to who I am, even though I have my history documented! I see the reason people want to die and are depressed, I am a living proof of a misfit lost. But my ancestors do come to me literally and tell me to keep going and I am solid. Sorry for the long posts, I was just wondering if anyone else is hurting and confused

[ottabee]

Thank-you so much for a powerfully inspiring and transformative speech. Thank-you greatly for sharing your MEDICINE and further neutralizing the psychosis of colonization.

[yarrow]

Hiy hiy. Nânaskomowin. I study Indigenous social work. What you say resonates and you is incredibly energizing

[FoxInMocs]

I stumbled across this because I’m on a path of discovering what decolonizing means to me. This was a perfect video that the universe put in front of me. I once heard that sobriety is decolonization, and I’ve been looking up racial slurs and how indigenous people are portrayed with alcohol and how Hollywood made a mockery of us, and still do to this day. Thank you for your words. It feels less of a weight/burden when I think of decolonizing as an all together thing, because we are on this planet together, at the end of the day we all want shelter, love, and sustenance. Miigwetch!

[joyd]

I love "the eyes of the serpent can see through the eyes of the Eagle"!! Very inspiring and thoughtful!

[mndyD]

This is the same for the people of Mexico, we are so colonized that we don’t realize that our ancestors are also indigenous. We just see ourselves as Mexicans, Chicano/a or LatinX, Mexican American, etc.
Thank you for sharing this topic! 🖤

[tanler]

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission spent years studying mortality rates and other conditions in the Residential Schools. At no time was there a mortality rate of 50%. For a few years in the late 19th century it hovered around 25%. For the first half of the 20th century, the death rate was about 3x that of children in the general Canadian population (6 per 1000 vs 2 per 1000) . After WWII the rates are virtually the same. Indigenous populations were more susceptible to smallpox, but the practice of immunization was inconsistent. The worst outbreak among non-indigenous Canadians occurred in 1885 when thousands died. It's one thing to avoid discussing past events and call it historical amnesia. But history from any perspective can be tainted by ideology.

[lindamayer]

Thank you for teaching this about how we are all a part of it and being so kind about teaching us how to start decolonization. I am currently struggling to find the best ways to teach my son and this has helped.

[tasinallb]

I thought I wrote this before but I don't see it. Thank you Nikki. I use this video a lot, sharing with anyone who is asking me about Decolonization. I do workshops, have been for 40 years now. .and This video helps so much!! Wopila Tanka! Tlazokamatli

[yogawithowl]

what a ray of light, I needed this, being African American its painful to look at the past, but I know that this will guide us all to freedom <3

[kenletcher]

Yo everyone who watches this, don’t just share it. Start talking about it with your peers. Find out which ones in your community will listen to your ideas about change. Listen to the ones who are talking about the things that are wrong.

[Justthinksalot]

Miigwetch for sharing. I have been working on the idea of decolonization for over a decade, when I began my American Indian Studies journey back in 2006.

[crystalclear]

What if I’m biracial? What if I come from a white mom and a Mexican dad? But I look more like my dad’s side and was raised by only my blonde haired blue eyed mom?

[sandravanderschaaf]

Hear! Hear! Well done, Iyolo La'es.

[NellieDeutsch]

I'm horrified by the information. Thank you for educating us.

[punkyoliverio]

The colonization of the "Philippine Islands", I think, is the cause of the majority of the problems of our society. We have to really look into "decolonising" our minds, our structures from how we look at gender and family and political systems, our design principles and aesthetic, and every single aspect of modern life. We were highly civilized prior to the arrival of the Europeans: economically and socially robust. Maybe we need to start appreciating that and work from there.

[setchemusic]

This is so powerful! Thank you so much!

[heronbrae]

Beautiful work! Thanks for your clarity, gentleness, and invitation for all of us to join in the work of decolonizing. :-) ...Having the conversation this morning with the locksmith.