Thinking about decolonization is rather new to me. I decided to do some more outside research to really try and understand the full meaning behind the word, because up until the beginning of this course I’d just heard it in passing. It seems to me as if decolonization goes beyond the formal reclamation of territory, but also the reintroduction of cultural practices and languages as well as beginning to heal from the traumas caused by colonization. However, decolonization cannot be a one-sided effort, and proper tools and support need to be given to these groups in order for them to be restored.
After reading through Smith, Yang, and Tuck’s text, I found parts of it to be rather discouraging. Tuck made a point of saying decolonization efforts have only been fought for by other indigenous scholars as well as pointing out that when white scholars ask questions about indigenous works, “they drain the energy and imagination of indigenous scholarship.” I do believe it is not the job of indigenous people to educate others on their oppression and trauma, but I couldn’t help but feel like these opinions were rather one-sided, and didn’t take into account other points of view. The repetitive use of the term “white settler” bothered me as well, because it seemingly assumes every person who isn’t indigenous is then an oppressor and opponent of the indigenous community. I do not wish to speak over indigenous voices, but in my mind, it’s hard to see this term as anything but presumptuous.
Hello Grace, my name is Katerina. While reading your post I very intrigued due to its thoughts provoking nature, which I really liked because it made me think. The whole decolonization process as you said is not just one-sided thing there have to be both sides involved and try to collaborate together more than they did until now. Yet I believe it is still in progress and changes do not occur immediately they take time. As people we should all realize that we are all connected and that any kind of knowledge we have not yet embraced should be given a chance. As so called “white settlers” should be open to Indigenous peoples knowledge so should it go the other way! Very good critical thinking skills
Thank you for your thoughts, Katerina 🙂 You’re right, change does take time and my hope is that we can get to a point where scholars are regularly able to scrutinize their academia to recognize colonial thinking!
Hey!
I found your last point about “white settlers” and the lack of patience from the authors to resound with me: when I was doing the reading, there was something that was putting me off, but you’ve put your finger on it. Though the wording of “white settlers” doesn’t bother me too much, the fact that the author has run out of patience with non-Indigenous peoples is definitely something to note critically. Though I agree with your point about the importance of people doing their own research and sympathize with the author’s point about the rage that comes with Indigenous peoples’ work being dismissed, I also think that in order to demand more decolonial work from white/non-Indigenous people, more cooperation (with strict demands and guidelines from Indigenous peoples) is necessary.
Maybe I’m off-base, let me know what you/others think!
Thanks for your comment, Geneviève! I definitely agree, I think it’s very important to work together to dismantle colonial thinking and academia. What I was trying to get across in my first paragraph was that decolonization is a two way street, where one side can’t do all the work and expect results.
Hi Grace,
I enjoyed reading your blog!
I agree with you, Smith, Yang, and Tuck’s text was one sided, and the tone used was not conductive to further discussions. I also think you are right in saying decolonization should be a two-way street. I don’t understand how Smith, Yang, and Tuck want “white settlers” to decolonize without asking questions, as they find them “boring and pestering”
Thank you for commenting, Camila! While I understand the frustration that Indigenous people may be feeling, I agree that it’s important that both parties work together towards decolonization, especially the decolonization of academia (in our context).