12.3 Land Back movement
8 min read•august 21, 2024
The emerged from centuries of Indigenous land dispossession in North America. It seeks to restore Indigenous peoples' relationships with , addressing historical injustices and promoting environmental stewardship in the North American West.
Land Back emphasizes a holistic approach to addressing historical wrongs and environmental concerns. It aligns with Indigenous worldviews that see humans as part of interconnected ecosystems, challenging Western concepts of land ownership and resource exploitation in the region.
Origins of Land Back
- Land Back movement emerged from centuries of Indigenous land dispossession and colonization in North America
- Addresses historical injustices and seeks to restore Indigenous peoples' relationship with ancestral territories
- Connects to broader themes of environmental stewardship and Indigenous rights in the North American West
Historical context
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- Roots in 15th-century Doctrine of Discovery justified European colonization of Indigenous lands
- U.S. government policies (Indian Removal Act, Dawes Act) forcibly relocated tribes and divided communal lands
- Canadian government implemented similar policies (Indian Act, reserve system) to control Indigenous populations
- Broken treaties and forced assimilation eroded Indigenous land rights throughout 19th and 20th centuries
Indigenous land dispossession
- Manifest Destiny ideology drove westward expansion and displacement of Indigenous peoples
- Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settler on Indigenous territories
- Establishment of national parks often involved removing Indigenous inhabitants (Yellowstone, Yosemite)
- Forced relocation to reservations disconnected tribes from traditional lands and resources
Emergence of movement
- Gained momentum in 1960s-70s alongside civil rights and Red Power movements
- (AIM) occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969 raised awareness of land rights
- protests in Canada (2012) brought renewed attention to Indigenous
- Social media amplified Land Back message and connected Indigenous activists across North America
Key principles
- Land Back emphasizes holistic approach to addressing historical injustices and environmental concerns
- Aligns with Indigenous worldviews that see humans as part of interconnected ecosystems
- Challenges Western concepts of land ownership and resource exploitation in North American West
Land repatriation
- Calls for return of stolen lands to Indigenous nations and communities
- Includes both public lands (national parks, forests) and privately held properties
- Advocates for honoring treaty obligations and recognizing unceded territories
- Seeks to restore Indigenous place names and cultural sites
Indigenous sovereignty
- Asserts right of Indigenous peoples to self-governance and
- Challenges colonial borders and jurisdictions imposed on traditional territories
- Promotes nation-to-nation relationships between Indigenous groups and settler governments
- Emphasizes importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) in decision-making
Environmental stewardship
- Recognizes Indigenous peoples as traditional caretakers of lands and waters
- Promotes practices based on ancestral knowledge
- Aims to protect biodiversity and restore ecosystems damaged by industrial development
- Connects land rights to broader issues of climate change and environmental justice
Land Back strategies
- Land Back movement employs diverse tactics to achieve goals of repatriation and sovereignty
- Combines grassroots organizing with legal and policy approaches
- Utilizes both traditional and modern methods of resistance and advocacy
Legal reclamation efforts
- Filing land claims based on historical treaties and Aboriginal title
- Challenging land seizures and resource extraction projects in court
- Negotiating modern treaties and land claim agreements ()
- Pursuing legal recognition of Indigenous rights through international bodies ()
Direct action campaigns
- Organizing protests and blockades to prevent resource extraction on Indigenous lands
- Establishing land defense camps to protect territories from development (Unist'ot'en Camp)
- Reclaiming and occupying ancestral lands through "land back camps"
- Using social media and digital platforms to raise awareness and mobilize supporters
Policy advocacy
- Lobbying governments to reform land use policies and recognize Indigenous rights
- Advocating for co-management agreements for parks and protected areas
- Pushing for implementation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations
- Promoting Indigenous-led conservation initiatives ()
Notable Land Back campaigns
- Land Back movement has gained visibility through high-profile conflicts and resistance efforts
- Demonstrates ongoing struggles for Indigenous land rights across diverse regions of North America
- Highlights intersection of environmental protection and Indigenous sovereignty
Standing Rock vs Dakota Access
- 2016-2017 protest against oil pipeline construction through Lakota treaty lands
- Water protectors established camps to block pipeline route near Standing Rock Reservation
- Attracted global attention and support from environmental and Indigenous rights activists
- Resulted in temporary halt of pipeline construction, later reversed under Trump administration
Mauna Kea in Hawaii
- Ongoing protection of sacred mountain from construction of Thirty Meter Telescope
- Native Hawaiians (Kānaka Maoli) assert ancestral rights to manage
- Kia'i (protectors) have maintained blockade of access road since 2019
- Raises questions about scientific development vs Indigenous cultural and spiritual practices
Wet'suwet'en resistance
- Hereditary chiefs oppose Coastal GasLink pipeline through unceded Wet'suwet'en territory
- Established checkpoints and healing centers to assert control over traditional lands
- RCMP raids on Wet'suwet'en camps sparked nationwide solidarity protests in 2020
- Highlights tensions between elected band councils and traditional governance structures
Environmental implications
- Land Back movement emphasizes Indigenous approaches to environmental management
- Challenges Western scientific paradigms and promotes integration of traditional knowledge
- Addresses interconnected issues of land rights, biodiversity conservation, and climate change
Traditional ecological knowledge
- Incorporates generations of observations and practices adapted to local ecosystems
- Promotes holistic understanding of environmental relationships and cycles
- Includes sustainable harvesting techniques and resource management strategies
- Recognizes spiritual and cultural connections to land in conservation efforts
Conservation practices
- Emphasizes Indigenous-led protected areas and co-management of existing parks
- Restores to manage forests and prevent wildfires
- Protects critical habitats for culturally significant species (salmon, buffalo)
- Implements sustainable agriculture methods based on ancestral crop varieties
Climate change mitigation
- Preserves carbon sinks by protecting forests and wetlands from industrial development
- Promotes renewable energy projects on Indigenous lands (solar, wind)
- Restores degraded ecosystems to enhance carbon sequestration
- Advocates for Indigenous voices in global climate negotiations and policy-making
Challenges and opposition
- Land Back movement faces significant obstacles in achieving its goals
- Confronts deeply entrenched power structures and economic interests
- Addresses widespread misconceptions about Indigenous land rights and sovereignty
Government resistance
- Reluctance to cede control over valuable natural resources and territories
- Concerns about jurisdictional conflicts and impacts on existing governance structures
- Fear of setting precedents that could lead to more extensive land claims
- Bureaucratic hurdles in implementing land transfers and co-management agreements
Corporate interests
- Opposition from extractive industries (mining, oil, gas) with stakes in Indigenous lands
- Resistance from agricultural and forestry sectors to changing land use practices
- Concerns about economic impacts of returning lands to Indigenous control
- Legal challenges to block Indigenous land rights and environmental protections
Public misconceptions
- Misunderstanding of treaty rights and historical context of land dispossession
- Fear-mongering about potential displacement of non-Indigenous residents
- Stereotypes and prejudices about Indigenous peoples' ability to manage lands
- Lack of awareness about benefits of Indigenous stewardship for broader society
Allies and supporters
- Land Back movement has garnered support from diverse groups and organizations
- Builds coalitions to amplify Indigenous voices and advance shared goals
- Emphasizes importance of following Indigenous leadership in land rights struggles
Indigenous-led organizations
- Native American Rights Fund provides legal assistance for land claim cases
- Indigenous Environmental Network connects grassroots land defenders across North America
- National Congress of American Indians advocates for federal policy changes
- Assembly of First Nations in Canada promotes Indigenous rights at national level
Environmental groups
- Sierra Club collaborates with tribes on land protection and climate initiatives
- Natural Resources Defense Council supports Indigenous-led conservation efforts
- 350.org includes Land Back principles in climate justice campaigns
- Earthjustice provides legal support for Indigenous environmental cases
Academic institutions
- Native American and Indigenous Studies programs research land rights issues
- Environmental law clinics assist with Indigenous land claim cases
- Archaeology departments partner with tribes for cultural resource management
- Sustainability initiatives incorporate Indigenous perspectives on land stewardship
Impact on Indigenous communities
- Land Back movement aims to address multiple interconnected issues facing Indigenous peoples
- Recognizes land as fundamental to Indigenous identity, culture, and well-being
- Seeks to reverse negative impacts of colonization and land dispossession
Cultural revitalization
- Restores access to sacred sites and traditional gathering places
- Facilitates intergenerational transmission of language and cultural practices
- Strengthens connection to ancestral territories and traditional lifeways
- Promotes healing from historical trauma through land-based activities
Economic opportunities
- Develops sustainable economies based on Indigenous values and practices
- Creates jobs in land management, conservation, and eco-tourism
- Establishes Indigenous-owned businesses utilizing local resources
- Generates revenue through renewable energy projects on tribal lands
Health and well-being
- Improves access to traditional foods and medicines
- Addresses mental health issues through land-based healing programs
- Reduces environmental health risks from industrial pollution on Indigenous lands
- Promotes physical activity and connection to nature through land-based activities
Future of Land Back
- Land Back movement continues to evolve and gain momentum across North America
- Adapts strategies to address changing political and environmental landscapes
- Seeks to create lasting change in relationships between Indigenous peoples, settlers, and land
Expanding global movement
- Inspires similar movements among Indigenous peoples worldwide (Māori in New Zealand, Sámi in Scandinavia)
- Builds international solidarity networks to support Indigenous land rights
- Utilizes social media and digital platforms to share strategies and successes
- Connects Land Back to global discussions on and climate justice
Policy changes
- Pushes for implementation of UNDRIP at national and local levels
- Advocates for reforms to land use planning and resource management policies
- Promotes Indigenous guardianship programs for parks and protected areas
- Seeks changes to educational curricula to include Indigenous perspectives on land
Reconciliation efforts
- Encourages land acknowledgments as first step towards meaningful action
- Promotes land taxes and voluntary land returns by non-Indigenous landowners
- Develops protocols for sharing lands and resources between Indigenous and settler communities
- Fosters dialogue and relationship-building to address historical injustices
Land Back vs other movements
- Land Back shares commonalities with other social and environmental movements
- Distinguishes itself through focus on Indigenous sovereignty and relationship to land
- Intersects with broader struggles for justice and sustainability
Similarities with decolonization
- Challenges ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous peoples and lands
- Seeks to dismantle colonial power structures and institutions
- Promotes revitalization of Indigenous languages, cultures, and governance systems
- Advocates for reparations and redress for historical injustices
Differences from land reform
- Emphasizes return of ancestral territories rather than redistribution of land
- Based on recognition of inherent Indigenous rights rather than economic equality
- Incorporates spiritual and cultural connections to specific landscapes
- Challenges Western concepts of individual land ownership
Intersection with climate justice
- Recognizes Indigenous peoples as frontline communities facing climate impacts
- Promotes Indigenous solutions to environmental challenges
- Connects struggles against resource extraction to broader climate movement
- Emphasizes importance of Indigenous leadership in climate policy-making
Key Terms to Review (25)
American Indian Movement: The American Indian Movement (AIM) is a grassroots organization founded in 1968 aimed at advocating for the rights of Native Americans and addressing issues such as sovereignty, treaty rights, and social justice. AIM emerged as a response to systemic injustices faced by Indigenous communities, including land dispossession, cultural erasure, and forced relocation, and has played a significant role in promoting Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and self-determination.
Ancestral Territories: Ancestral territories refer to the lands traditionally occupied and used by Indigenous Peoples, which hold significant cultural, spiritual, and historical value. These areas are not just geographical locations; they are integral to the identity, heritage, and survival of Indigenous communities. The connection to ancestral territories is often at the heart of movements advocating for rights, recognition, and restoration of land.
Colonialism: Colonialism is the practice of acquiring control over another country or territory, often involving the establishment of settlements and the exploitation of resources and people. It is characterized by a power dynamic where the colonizers impose their culture, governance, and economy on the colonized, leading to profound social, political, and environmental changes. This historical context connects to various movements and events that reflect the struggles against oppression and the fight for autonomy.
Decolonization: Decolonization is the process through which colonized nations and peoples gain independence from colonial powers, reclaiming their sovereignty, cultural identity, and control over their lands and resources. This process often involves challenging the legacies of colonialism, addressing historical injustices, and promoting social, economic, and environmental justice, particularly for Indigenous populations whose rights have been systematically undermined.
Diné nation land return: The diné nation land return refers to the movement advocating for the restoration of ancestral lands to the Navajo Nation, emphasizing sovereignty and self-determination. This movement is part of a broader Land Back initiative that seeks to rectify historical injustices and reclaim lands that were taken from Indigenous peoples through colonization, treaties, and other forms of dispossession.
Environmental Racism: Environmental racism refers to the systemic placement of hazardous waste facilities, landfills, and other polluting industries in communities predominantly inhabited by people of color. This practice perpetuates social inequalities and exposes marginalized populations to greater environmental health risks, impacting their land, water, and overall quality of life.
Idle No More: Idle No More is a grassroots movement that began in Canada in late 2012, aiming to raise awareness about Indigenous rights and environmental issues affecting Indigenous communities. The movement emerged in response to government policies perceived as threatening Indigenous lands and ecosystems, advocating for respect and recognition of treaties, environmental protection, and social justice.
Indian Collective: The Indian Collective refers to a unifying framework and network among Indigenous Peoples aimed at promoting collective rights, cultural preservation, and social justice in the face of historical injustices and ongoing challenges. This concept emphasizes the importance of solidarity among different tribes and nations to reclaim land, self-determination, and autonomy, while also addressing environmental issues that disproportionately affect Indigenous communities.
Indian Land Tenure Act: The Indian Land Tenure Act is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1950 that aimed to address issues related to land ownership and management on Indian reservations. This act sought to clarify and improve land rights for Native Americans, promoting more secure and equitable land tenure while recognizing the importance of tribal sovereignty. The act also plays a crucial role in discussions surrounding land rights, tribal governance, and resource management.
Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas: Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) are regions of land and water that are governed and managed by Indigenous Peoples to protect their cultural values, traditional practices, and biodiversity. These areas play a crucial role in land stewardship, fostering the connection between Indigenous communities and their ancestral territories while contributing to global conservation efforts.
Land back movement: The land back movement is a collective effort advocating for the return of Indigenous lands to their original stewards, aiming to restore cultural practices, ecological stewardship, and promote social justice. This movement connects deeply with historical injustices faced by Indigenous peoples and emphasizes their rights to land, resources, and self-determination.
Land-based practices: Land-based practices refer to the traditional, sustainable methods of resource management and land use that Indigenous communities have developed over generations. These practices are deeply connected to cultural identities, ecological knowledge, and the stewardship of the environment, reflecting a harmonious relationship between people and nature. They encompass a range of activities, including agriculture, hunting, fishing, gathering, and controlled burning, which contribute to biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.
Mauna Kea: Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii, revered as a sacred site by Native Hawaiians. It stands as the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor, reaching a height of over 13,800 feet above sea level. The mountain has become a focal point in discussions about land sovereignty and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly regarding the ongoing struggles to reclaim and protect sacred lands.
Nikki sanchez: Nikki Sanchez is a prominent Indigenous activist, writer, and speaker, known for her work advocating for the Land Back movement and Indigenous rights. Her efforts focus on the reclamation of land and resources by Indigenous peoples, addressing environmental justice and the historical injustices faced by Native communities. Sanchez's activism emphasizes the importance of recognizing Indigenous sovereignty and fostering respectful relationships with the land.
Nunavut Land Claims Agreement: The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is a comprehensive land claim agreement signed in 1993 between the Inuit of the Nunavut region and the Government of Canada. This agreement established the creation of Nunavut as a territory and outlined the rights of the Inuit to land and resources, helping to address historical injustices related to land dispossession and forced relocation of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It also serves as a framework for self-governance and resource management, fostering economic development while recognizing the importance of cultural identity.
Sacred lands: Sacred lands refer to geographical areas that hold significant spiritual and cultural importance for Indigenous communities. These lands are often integral to the identity, traditions, and rituals of these groups, serving as places for worship, gathering, and maintaining connections with ancestors and the natural world. The recognition and restoration of sacred lands are vital in movements advocating for Indigenous rights and land sovereignty.
Self-determination: Self-determination refers to the right of individuals and communities to make choices about their own lives, governance, and cultural practices without external interference. This principle is especially significant for Indigenous communities, as it empowers them to reclaim their sovereignty, manage their resources, and sustain their traditional ways of life.
Sovereignty: Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of a state or group to govern itself and make decisions independent of external interference. It embodies the concept of self-determination, particularly for Indigenous communities, as they assert their rights to manage their lands, resources, and cultural practices without outside control. This idea connects deeply with issues of identity, governance, and resistance against colonial or federal authority.
Sustainable land management: Sustainable land management (SLM) refers to the use of land resources in a way that meets current needs while preserving the environment for future generations. It encompasses practices that promote ecological balance, social equity, and economic viability, ensuring that land is used efficiently and responsibly. This approach is crucial for maintaining biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and supporting the livelihoods of Indigenous communities who rely on these lands.
Traditional burning practices: Traditional burning practices refer to the use of fire by Indigenous peoples to manage landscapes, promote the growth of certain plants, and prevent larger wildfires. These methods have been developed over centuries and are deeply connected to cultural practices, ecological knowledge, and land stewardship. By utilizing fire in a controlled manner, these practices help maintain biodiversity and support sustainable ecosystems.
Traditional ecological knowledge: Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the understanding and insights gained by Indigenous peoples over generations about their local ecosystems, including the relationships between plants, animals, and the environment. This knowledge encompasses sustainable practices, resource management, and cultural traditions that have evolved through close observation and interaction with the natural world.
Treaty rights movement: The treaty rights movement is a social and political movement advocating for the recognition and enforcement of Indigenous treaty rights, which are legally binding agreements between Indigenous nations and the government. This movement aims to address historical injustices, restore sovereignty, and protect Indigenous peoples' rights to land, resources, and cultural practices as outlined in treaties. By challenging state and federal policies that undermine these rights, the treaty rights movement seeks to empower Indigenous communities and promote environmental stewardship.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a comprehensive international instrument adopted in 2007 that recognizes and protects the rights of Indigenous peoples globally. It affirms their rights to self-determination, cultural integrity, land, resources, and participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives, highlighting the importance of Indigenous voices in addressing environmental and social challenges.
Unceded territory protests: Unceded territory protests refer to actions and demonstrations by Indigenous groups that assert their rights to land that was never formally surrendered or ceded to colonial or state authorities. These protests challenge the legitimacy of government claims over these lands, highlighting issues of sovereignty, historical injustices, and the ongoing struggles for recognition and respect of Indigenous rights. They are closely connected to broader movements advocating for the return of land to Indigenous peoples and reparation for historical wrongs.
Wet'suwet'en resistance: Wet'suwet'en resistance refers to the actions and movements by the Wet'suwet'en Nation to assert their rights and protect their traditional lands against industrial developments, particularly pipelines. This resistance highlights the ongoing struggle for Indigenous sovereignty, land rights, and environmental justice, emphasizing the importance of protecting ancestral territories from resource extraction activities that threaten ecological balance and cultural heritage.