Whose Land Are You On? What to Know About the Indigenous Land Back Movement | Lindsey Schneider |TED

Role of Land

The Land Back movement emphasizes the deep connection between Indigenous peoples and their lands, highlighting the importance of restoring these lands to their original stewards. Lindsey Schneider explains that Indigenous cultures have a profound relationship with the land, rooted in thousands of years of stewardship and ecological management. This connection is evident in successful conservation efforts, such as the reintroduction of endangered species by tribal nations, which often surpass government initiatives 1.

We're doing this because the land itself is in crisis. Every indigenous culture is unique, but our shared philosophy is that we come from the land, and the land is what sustains us, and therefore we have a responsibility to care for it.

--- Lindsey Schneider

Schneider highlights the role of Indigenous peoples in managing nearly half of the world's protected areas, despite comprising only 5% of the global population 1.

   

Historical Context

The historical context of land dispossession reveals the ongoing impact of settler colonialism on Indigenous communities. Lindsey Schneider shares her personal history, illustrating the traumatic legacy of treaties that forced tribes to relinquish vast territories for minimal compensation 2. This history is not just about past injustices but also about the continued exploitation of these lands, as seen with projects like the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline.

Going even further back, my six times great grandfather's signature is on the 1863 Treaty of Old Crossing, which forced the Anishinaabe to give up 11 million acres of what's now Minnesota in exchange for a little over $400,000 and a 640 acre reservation.

--- Lindsey Schneider

Schneider emphasizes that the Land Back movement is not a real estate scam but a necessary step to address the ecological and moral failures of colonial land management 2.

   

Call to Action

The Land Back movement calls for a radical rethinking of our relationship with land and Indigenous peoples. Lindsey Schneider encourages listeners to engage with the movement by acknowledging the land they occupy and supporting Indigenous-led initiatives 3. She shares a story of a young camper who exemplifies this mindset by viewing grasshoppers as relatives, illustrating the deep respect for all living beings inherent in Indigenous cultures.

Land back is about radically rethinking how we relate to the land and other living beings.

--- Lindsey Schneider

Schneider argues that returning land to Indigenous stewardship is not only a moral imperative but also essential for ecological sustainability and a better future for all 3.