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Report Back from Kinłani Anti-colonial Anti-fascist Community Defense Gathering

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Originally posted at: www.taalahooghan.org

Kinłani/Flagstaff, AZ — An anti-colonial anti-fascist gathering of more than 60 participants was held at Táala Hooghan Infoshop from April 6-8, 2018. This was a powerful weekend for a number of reasons but primarily because it was explicitly organized from an anti-colonial position, not as a posture. Indigenous peoples weren’t just “recognized” or tokenized, we were the initiators and planners. The space was opened with cultural protocols without need for explanation. In the opening, a volunteer with the infoshop stated, “The event is in many ways an extension of the cultural and political work that has been ongoing at here for more than 10 years. This is not a safe space, we cannot pretend it is exempt from the systems of oppression that exist outside these walls, but what we can do is assert that this is a threatening space against those actions and behaviors.”

The agenda for the gathering wasn’t overwhelming or packed with too many competing workshops, just two tracks that reflected the work and interests of the organizing crew. While we won’t go into detail we’d like to share this brief report back..

The opening discussion on “Anti-colonial & Antifascist Intersections & Tensions” was presented in a circle with an informal panel, the discussion was then facilitated and opened to the group. Some of the discussion focused on smashing allyship (the primary author of Accomplices not Allies presenting) and anti-colonial posturing. Most of the discussion centered around anti-colonial struggle as, although invitations were made, some of the regions anti-fascist groups did not attend.

A statement was read (originating from www.rageandresist.org) that embodies the spirit of the discussion: “We recognize the limitations of anti-fascism on stolen land. We’ve experienced the heavy hand of the state in ‘Arizona’ long before Trump was elected. We’ve resisted widespread attacks on migrants (many of whom are our Indigenous relations) through state mechanisms, many of these institutions designed to ensnare or kill migrants also enforce a colonial rule on un-ceded Indigenous lands. From the patrols of Arpaio’s MCSO saturations targeting Yaqui people in Guadalupe, widespread police violence targeting Indigenous people across the state, forced removal of more than 20,000 Diné from Black Mesa, repression against indigenous Peoples defending sacred sites such as the San Francisco Peaks, the Border Patrol checkpoints dotting the roads of the Tohono O’odham Nation, and the border wall as a physical barrier dividing Indigenous Peoples separated by the colonial US-Mexico border. Indigenous resistance to these efforts is long, while accomplices are still new to this struggle. We have organized projects of solidarity to oppose the colonial networks of control, because we understand that an anti-fascism that is not grounded in anti-colonialism is certain to reproduce the same structures of settler colonial violence that has existed for over 500 years on this continent, and over 200 years of representative democracy in the ‘United States.’”

One of the presenters said, “Take risks. If this conversation and this gathering does not make you uncomfortable at some point, than we’ve done something wrong.”

Sakej Ward offered powerful insights with the workshop on “Indigenous Revolutionary Doctrine,” he analyzed select historical revolutionary strategies and discussed why a distinct contextual strategy is necessary for Indigenous nationhood. Sakej’s talk also explored the “Indigenous post-collapse ongoing apocalyptic environment” and challenged pacification of Indigenous struggles by non-governmental and non-profit organizations.

 

Other workshops included: Anti-fascism & Security Culture 101, Fascism & Anti-fascism in France, Armed Defense, Smashing Toxic Fasculinity in Radical Movements & Spaces, and self-defense workshops.

 

The Toxic “Fasculinity” workshop was a closed space for womxn, trans & genderqueer folx (no cis men). The workshop detailed the ways in which militant, radical movement spaces can embody hyper-masculinity in a way that silences, alienates, or harms womxn, femmes and other non-cis-male genders. The workshop was facilitated as a conversation circle and attendees held the space to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Following this conversation circle, there was a self defense workshop specifically for womxn, femmes, and non-cis-men.

 

The evening ended with another informal panel on “Anti-Police Community Support.” Two unsheltered Indigenous community members joined Louise Benally from Big Mountain –where resistance to forced relocation has been waged for more than 40 years– and anti-fascist organizers in a discussion that focused on alternative methodologies and transformative and restorative justice.

 

On Saturday evening a police station was improved with red paint and the message “Fuck the Police.” Other areas were also redecorated but that one caught the attention of multiple pigs and a helicopter. Though they were not associated with the action, two comrades were captured by pigs and held overnight. Jail support was quickly activated and after determining charges (two counts each of misdemeanor criminal graffiti) and bail part of the crew from the gathering rallied outside the jail. Please email taalahooghan@protonmail.com for ways to support those facing multiple charges.

 

The morning started with a youth workshop on ageism and ways that youth are fighting back and concluded with a discussion that focused on building a regional Anti-Fascist Movement.

 

“We don’t choose to be activists,” stated one of the coordinators of the gathering, “We are born into this struggle and live it everyday.”

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Christine Prat

    April 16, 2018 at 8:55 AM

    french translation / traduction française:
    http://www.chrisp.lautre.net/wpblog/?p=4503

Add your comments (racist, sexist, & trans/homophobic comments will not be published)

#policestate

O’odham Executed by Border Patrol: Statement by Raymond Mattia Family

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Raymond Mattia of the Tohono O’odham Nation was executed by US border patrol agents on May 18th at his home. He was reportedly shot 38 times.

A peaceful gathering to support all victims of the
unmonitored violent actions of the Border Patrol and other agencies will be held at The Border
Patrol Station in Why, Az, and Tucson on Golf Links Road this Saturday, May 27th, from
10:00am-Noon.

For more information please visit: https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2023/05/us-border-patrol-shoots-tohono-oodham.html

Statement by Mattia Raymond’s family:

We have been trying to find the strength to write this statement. This tragedy is so
grievous because it is apparent what had happened. Raymond called for help and, in turn, was
shot down at his doorstep. Raymond’s rights were violated by the authorities whom we trust to
protect our Nation. Improper and unprofessional actions of the agencies involved were witnessed
by family members present near the crime scene. Loved ones sat in agony, not knowing of
Raymond’s condition until they were told that he had passed hours later. Raymond lay in front of
his home for seven hours before a coroner from Tucson arrived.
In our eyes and hearts, we believe that Raymond was approached with excessive and
deadly force that took his life. He was a father, brother, uncle, friend, and an involved
community member. Raymond always fought for what was right, and he will continue to fight
even after his death. This is not an isolated incident, but it should bring awareness of the
oppression our people live through.
We want to thank so many of you for your condolences and support. A GoFundMe for
defense funds will be available soon. A peaceful gathering to support all victims of the
unmonitored violent actions of the Border Patrol and other agencies will be held at The Border Patrol Station in Why, Az, and Tucson on Golf Links Road this Saturday, May 27th, from 10:00am-Noon.

Contact for support: justiceforraymattia@gmail.com

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anti-colonial

No Pardon for Genocide: Rejecting the Catholic Church’s “Repudiation” of the Doctrine of Discovery

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On March 30th, 2023 a joint statement was released by administrative departments of the Vatican City-State condemning “acts of violence, oppression, social injustice and slavery, including those committed against indigenous peoples.” The Catholic Church stated that it “…repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.”

We are used to the deceptions of the church, this “repudiation” is no exception.

The words of the Catholic Church are nothing more than an attempt to damage control and downplay their genocidal legacy while obscuring their ongoing benefit from and perpetuation of colonial violence.

In 1493 the Papal Bull “Inter Caetera,” was issued by Pope Alexander VI. The document established the “Doctrine of Discovery” and was central to Spain’s Christianizing strategy to ensure “exclusive right” to enslaved Indigenous Peoples and lands invaded by Columbus the year prior. This decree also made clear the Pope’s threat to forcibly assimilate Indigenous Peoples to Catholicism in order to strengthen the “Christian Empire.” This doctrine of “civilization” led to successive generational patterns of genocidal and ecocidal wars waged by European settler colonizers against Indigenous lives, lands, spirit, and the living world of all of our relations. “Manifest destiny,” the intensified invasion of Indigenous lands in the so-called U.S., was inspired and sanctioned by this religious “Doctrine.”

Fuck your manifest destiny.

In 1823 the “Doctrine of Discovery” was written into U.S. law as a way to deny land rights to Indigenous Peoples in the Supreme Court case, Johnson v. McIntosh. In a unanimous decision, Chief Justice John Marshall wrote that Christian European nations had assumed complete control over the lands of “America” during the “Age of Discovery.” And in declaring “independence” from the Crown of England in 1776, he noted that the U.S. had in effect and thus by law inherited authority over these lands from Great Britain, “notwithstanding the occupancy of the natives, who were heathens…” According to the ruling, Indigenous Peoples did not have any rights as independent nations, but only as tenants or residents of the U.S. on our own lands. The papal bull inter caetera was enshrined in U.S. law and continues to be the basis of colonial legal domination of Indigenous existence.

The Doctrine of Discovery has long been contested by Indigenous Peoples. Multiple delegations since the 1970s have visited Vatican City and demanded repudiation. In occupied Hawaii, an annual ceremonial burning of the Papal Bull “Inter Caetera” has been held since 1997.
In response to the Catholic Church’s repudiation, some Indigenous organizations have criticized the statement and are issuing demands for the Catholic Church to take “accountability.” Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition stated, “While the Vatican’s decision to renounce the Doctrine of Discovery is the right one, it downplays the Church’s role and accountability for the harm it has caused to Native peoples. It does not change the fact that the Church’s views gave permission to colonizers to take Native lands and assimilate Native peoples… We demand more transparency, including access to Indian boarding school documents, which they have refused to provide. We demand that the Church returns lands to the Tribal Nations in which it operated Indian boarding schools. We demand that the Church supports the Truth and Healing Bill, which would establish a federal commission and conduct a full inquiry into the assimilative policies of U.S. Indian boarding schools. And we demand that the Church respects Tribal sovereignty and Indigenous ways of being.”

With the 215 remains of Indigenous children uncovered in 2021 in a mass grave at a residential school in “Canada,” collective Indigenous rage was sparked to address the brutal legacy of forced colonial education. The strategy of boarding or residential schools, as they are called in so-called Canada, was part of a political, religious, and ideological war waged against Indigenous Peoples that targeted children.

In 2007, after decades of advocacy for reparations in so-called Canada, a settlement was agreed upon in the largest class action settlement ever faced by the colonial government. The settlement included a $10,000 “common experience” payment to the approximately 90,000 people who survived residential schools with an additional $3,000 for every year they were held at the schools. Approximately $200 million was allocated for funding for healing and educational programs. As part of this process, the Catholic Church has paid over $50 million and has offered to pay $30 million more.

A group called the Truth Commission into Genocide in “Canada,” which has charged that the residential schools were responsible for the deaths and disappearances of thousands of Indigenous children, rejected the deal stating, “This bribe and legal gagging is being presented as a final ‘resolution’ of the claims of residential school survivors, as if such unspeakable crimes as mass sterilizations, gang rape, ritualistic torture and murder are resolvable by or reducible to an issue of money…”

On April 1, 2022 the Pope apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in violent assimilation through “Canadian” residential schools. In a written statement, the Pope acknowledged colonial “lack of respect” and forced assimilation and said, “For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for God’s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry. And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon.”

In the recent statement of repudiation, the Catholic Church has the audacity to say that while many Catholics “…gave their lives in defense of the dignity of [Indigenous] peoples… Many Christians have committed evil acts against indigenous peoples for which recent Popes have asked forgiveness on numerous occasions… As Pope Francis has emphasized, their sufferings constitute a powerful summons to abandon the colonizing mentality and to walk with them side by side, in mutual respect and dialogue, recognizing the rights and cultural values of all individuals and peoples. In this regard, the Church is committed to accompany indigenous peoples and to foster efforts aimed at promoting reconciliation and healing.”

They absurdly state, “…the Church is committed to accompany indigenous peoples and to foster efforts aimed at promoting reconciliation and healing.”
But we hear more theocratic lies as authoritarian religious dogmatists still spit their texts while murdering in the name of their god.

We do not desire to be “accompanied” by the church to heal. It is in its shadow that our trauma and abuse continue. We refuse to have our hand held by our abuser who is also attempting to set by which terms we may “heal.” Statements of historical remorse change nothing if systems of colonial domination and exploitation remain. 

The Church directly asks for forgiveness, “It is only just to recognize these errors, acknowledge the terrible effects of the assimilation policies and the pain experienced by indigenous peoples, and ask for pardon.”

To this we state fuck their forgiveness. How dare they ask for “pardon” while they sit on a throne paid for by stolen wealth, lands, lives and resources throughout the world? We look forward to the day their walls crumble around them and the empires their ideals built are nothing but smoldering ash and ruin.

Christianity as a whole has long been a primary institution of cis-heteropatriarchal colonial violence which perpetuated mass femicide during the “inquisition.” The Malleus Maleficarum and preceding papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus were explicitly used to demonize and murder Indigenous “pagan witches” throughout Europe. The doctrine was the basis of the white supremacist initiated genocidal inquisition to remove Jews, Muslims, Roma, and land-based indigenous cultures from Europe while they set out to destroy and colonize indigenous lands in Africa and the so-called Americas.

The history of their faith is written in the blood. They cannot truly repudiate the discovery doctrine because it is the foundation of their “civilization.” Christian civilization has always been a spiritual war of domination of Mother Earth. At every massacre of Indigenous Peoples, a cross. In every Indigenous child’s boarding school desk, a bible. On nearly every slave ship from Africa, a devout Christian at the helm.

We do not speak of colonialism in the past-tense. 

The systematic domination and annihilation of Indigenous Peoples and lifeways, women, and queer people in the “name of God” continues throughout the world. The Doctrine of Discovery fuels current missionary work by Catholics and other Christian sects who are violently trying to convert Indigenous Peoples throughout the world. They draw their missionizing tactics from the practices that the Catholic Church developed during the inquisition and colonial conquests. There’s no difference between current evangelical, Mormon, jehovah witness, or any other missionary projects invading Africa, South “America,” and reservations. All Christian denominations doing missionary work are part of the doctrine’s legacy which continues to sanction the forcible assimilation of Indigenous Peoples to this day. 

This is also the legacy that White Supremacist Christian nationalists are still rallying to uphold throughout the so-called U.S. They attempt to bury historical violence in attacks on the specter of “Critical Race Theory” while further dehumanizing queer folks and attacking women’s bodily autonomy. The facade of mass scale victim blaming and scapegoating is not enough to escape the consequences of a history of genocide, enslavement, and ecocide.

The Catholic Church attempts to rewrite history and distance themselves from their role and responsibly in mass-scale violence systematically waged throughout the world against the Earth and existence.

The recent statement says, “The ‘doctrine of discovery’ is not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church. Historical research clearly demonstrates that the papal documents in question, written in a specific historical period and linked to political questions, have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith… these documents were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers in order to justify immoral acts against indigenous peoples that were carried out, at times, without opposition from ecclesiastical authorities.”

A statue of Junipero Serra comes down. In so-called California.

In spite of Indigenous protests, Pope Francis canonized Junipero Serra as a saint in 2015. In 1769 Serra founded the first of 21 missions in so-called “California.” Under Serra’s leadership, tens of thousands of Indigenous people were forcibly enslaved and brutalized. As racist statues were torn down during the George Floyd uprisings of 2020, statues of Junipero Serra (at least 7 were toppled or beheaded), Christopher Columbus, and other colonial monuments were also destroyed. In so-called California 5 people were charged with felonies for their alleged role in toppling a Serra monument (Support here: https://linktr.ee/Decolonizers_Defense).

From Po’pay to Toypurina, Indigenous ancestors burned their missions to the ground and killed their missionaries to defend Mother Earth and all existence. As more bodies of Indigenous children have been found in mass graves at residential schools in so-called Canada, a reported 68 Christian churches have been vandalized with many being consumed by fires set by Indigenous rage and vengeance.

No apology will ever be enough. Excuses are not enough, an obligatory debt is owed in so many forms yet how could we ever claim it? While many demand reparations, we must counter: We do not seek any form of payment or recompense but the ruin of those institutions and ideals of domination, control, and exploitation. We make no demands of that which we seek to abolish. As sacred sites remain under attack and as intergenerational wounds remain open, we continue to resist the extremely brutal and ongoing legacies of colonial religious violence. Their repudiation is over 500 years too late. We seek abolition and revenge. 

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Read our previous post: Colonial Education is Still War. Indigenous knowledge & rage is power.

Vatican statements:
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/03/30/230330b.html

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2022/04/01/0232/00500.html#en

Recommended reading:
Columbus and Other Cannibals The Wetiko Disease of Exploitation, Imperialism, and Terrorism, Jack Forbes

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

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anti-colonial

15th Annual No Thanks, No Giving!

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Indigenous Action presents:

15th Annual No Thanks, No Giving!

Topic: Indigenous Autonomy and Anarchism
Indigenous Action hosts Bonn & Klee will join featured guest speaker Tawinikay in a panel style discussion on Indigenous Autonomy and Anarchism: Against Settler Politics.

When: Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022
4:30pm – 6:00pm MST.

Where: Livestream via youtube will be available here: www.indigenousaction.org/live/
STREAM LINK: https://youtu.be/wGvjKoc-V94

Who: Indigenous Action hosts Bonn & Klee will join featured guest speaker Tawinikay.

Tawinikay is a Michif halfbreed living in Dish with One Spoon territory (Canada). She’s spent a good deal of time defending the land as an Indigenous anarchist and loving the land through ceremony. https://theanarchistlibrary.org/category/author/tawinikay

Donate: PayPal: indigenousaction@gmail.com

Kinlani Mutual Aid will serve traditional foods at noon at Táala Hooghan Infoshop before the event, we call everyone to action to do the same in your communities instead of celebrating genocide.

About: For 15 years we have hosted No Thanks, No giving! as an anti-colonial event to bring together radical Indigenous voices, share traditional foods, and benefit unsheltered relatives at Táala Hooghan Infoshop in Kinlani (Flagstaff, AZ).
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic we will host the event online again this year.

Who: Guests TBA. Hosted by Indigenous Action.

Donate: PayPal: indigenousaction@gmail.com

Kinlani Mutual Aid will serve traditional foods at noon at Táala Hooghan Infoshop before the event, we call everyone to action to do the same in your communities instead of celebrating genocide.
More info: iainfo@protonmail.com

#nothanksnogiving #MutualAid #indigenousmutualaid #solidaritynotcharity

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