This is a list of resources I am investigating around decolonization of Turtle Island. In particular, I'm interested in building relationships that will allow me to redistribute inherited land-wealth in the Mid-Atlantic to Indigenous people and Black people in that area. This is a huge task that I expect will take most of my life. I am trying to be thorough and mindful with it.
In this process I'm also recognizing that just redistributing my own resources cannot ever be "enough." What I'm perceiving as being needed is a massive cultural recalibration that features federal reparations to Black people, land rematriation to Indigenous people, as well as reparations to Asian Americans; healthcare for everyone; a functional public education system; access to stable and comfortable housing for everyone; clean running water; ecological restoration and an investment in nonhuman life systems, to name a few.
Anyway here's a micro-list of resources I'm using to aid in this process. I'm sharing because I know I'm not the only one with these goals and orientations. Hopefully this consolidated resource list will help pollinate the conversation and mobilize some folks into meaningful action.
This resource list from Resource Generation. Resource Generation is an organization that facilitates millenial redistribution of wealth. Like, wealthy millenials giving their wealth away in an organized manner.
An item from above list, the Federal Buy-Back Program. How do we feel about Land Back processes being mediated by the same powers that created the issue of Indigenous genocide and displacement? hm🧐 Personally, I see something like the Fed program as a framework that I might be able to convince my family to work within. I see it as a potential compromise station.
Action guide from Resource Generation. This contains helpful basic bullet points describing the process of colonization, how decolonial work is slightly different from anti-racist work, further educational resources, a list of case studies and examples, and most importantly: a step-by-step guide to action. If you are like me, it is sometimes helpful to just have a recipe in front of you from which you can improvise. The urgency of ongoing Indigenous genocide can make it feel like I need to just hand over the deed to my acreage in the next 10 minutes. Not that we shouldn't do that! But and also, there are complexities to land rematriation that a slower process might make more sustainable long-term. Ultimately, in my opinion, building solidarity relationships may be the most important part of this process. Ideally, a process of land rematriation is simultaneously dissolving the pillars of white supremacy, including our cultural fixation on individualism and efficiency. Instead of just saying "here, it's yours, do what you will," it may ultimately be more helpful to have a process that is embedded in a relationship with community and that values and centers informed consent.
What do you think about land rematriation? Is it worth valuing an ideal process over a quick process? What resources are informing your thinking?
If you're feeling a need to take urgent action, one venue for supporting Indigenous and Black people is by donating to one of the following organizations, or a different Black-led and/or Indigenous-led organization of your choice: