Frontlines Are Everywhere

The Frontlines are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood. Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel will be interviewing Indigenous scholars, activists, artists and knowledge holders from across Turtle Island and around the world in order to gain insight into how Indigenous peoples practice their own forms of Internationalism through intimate connections to land/water, culture and community. This podcast is part of the Indigenous Internationalisms research program with Borders in Globalization (BIG Lab) at the University of Victoria.

  1. 2025-05-30

    Frontlines Are Everywhere #13 - Chad Corntassel Smith, Planting seed corn for our children’s future

    In this episode, Jeff is joined by former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad “Corntassel” Smith. They discuss Smith's time as Principal Chief from 1999-2011, and delve into topics such as the importance of perpetuating cultural practices for future generations, the impact of the landmark McGirt Supreme Court decision (2020), and Smith’s previous books including “Leadership Lessons from the Cherokee Nation.” Smith also reflects on influential figures in his life, the Cherokee approach to adversity, and his hope for the Nation to become a “happy and healthy people,” emphasizing the importance of engaged citizens so that future generations will thrive. 00:00 Intro 01:08 Chief Chad Bio 03:09 Chief Chad intro 05:18 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Chief Chad? 08:49 Who are some of Chief Chad's biggest influences? 15:23 Chief Chad's impressions on the McGirt decision 22:04 When faced with adversity, Chrokees survive, adapt, prosper, and excel 30:03 How to enforce Cherokee treaties as living documents 36:20 USA is granting State Governors unjust authority over Indigenous matters, how has this affected the Cherokee nation? 44:06 What does Chief Chad think the Frontlines of Liberation and Freedom look like for the Cherokee nation 47:06 Quote from the book Cherokee Leadership, "Planting seed corn for our childrens' future" 49:48 What are some current events that Chief Chad thinks we should be paying attention to? 51:10 Indigenous peoples worldwide will benefit greatly from sharing knowledge and experience More from Borders in Globalization: Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbO Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVic LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization

    55 min
  2. 2025-05-01

    Frontlines Podcast Ep. 12 | Molly and Jen-Protecting the Yintah for Future Generations

    UPDATE: After this interview took place, a judge ruled that Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and two land defenders arrested during the 2021 raid of Wet’suwet’en land defence camp were targets of racism, but that their convictions of contempt for court would stand–with reduced sentences. Sentencing decisions for all three land defenders will take place in the fall of 2025.Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and Jennifer Wickham are on the frontlines of Wet’suwet’en land defence. They joined us to discuss topics including the criminalization of Indigenous land defenders, building resilient communities on the frontlines, and their film YINTAH (2024), a documentary covering a decade of Wet’suwet’en resistance. Sleydo’ Molly Wickham is a wing chief of the Cas Yikh people of the Gidimt’en clan. Molly is actively involved in land defense and reoccupation of traditional territories. She previously worked as Governance Director at the Office of the Wet’suwet’en.Jennifer Wickham is a Gidimt'en clan member of the Wet’suwet’en people. Jennifer has been the Media Coordinator for Gidimt'en Checkpoint since 2018 and is co-director and producer of “YINTAH.” Timestamps 0:49 Molly and Jen bio 2:44 Molly and Jen intro 4:01 What does Indigenous Internationalism mean to Molly and Jen? 9:50 Molly's influential people13:09 Jen's influential people 17:44 What has been the response to the film, Yintah? 26:22 Did you have to cut anything out from the film? 29:29 Shut Down Canada 36:45 The criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders 45:41 What are the roles of Anarchists for Indigenous solidarity? 55:28 Has DRIPA had any significant impact on Indigenous legal advocacy? 58:11 What are Jen and Molly's vision for Indigenous Liberation? 1:13:19 The power of friendship and good coffee More from Borders in Globalization: Subscribe: http://bit.ly/2AL0HbOFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/BordersInGlobalization/Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/BIG_UVicLinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/bordersinglobalization

    1h 20m
  3. 2025-02-01

    Frontlines Podcast Ep. 9 | Gerry Ambers - Grassroots Activism and the Formation of the Native Alliance for Red Power

    0:56 Jeff's bio for Gerry 2:36 Gerry intro 3:23 Gerry's feelings about what it means to be from a "Nation" 6:09 Different ways that Indigenous people express diplomacy 11:00 Getting around Colonial borders to maintain international Indigenous relations and cultures 12:30 Who are some people, human or otherwise, who have inspired Gerry? 15:18 Gerry's role in forming the Native Alliance for Red Power 19:45 How did it feel being the only woman in a leadership role in the early days of the NARP?  28:47 How did you create alliances with other activist groups? 36:33 How has the Native Alliance for Red Power influenced the current generation? 38:10 Technology as a double-edged sword that affects society 43:43 The evolving role of ceremonies  47:27 How colonial society prevents connection from the natural world and other people. 51:06 What does Indigenous liberation look like to Gerry?In this episode, Jeff and Gerry 52:47 What are some of Gerry's current projects?  discuss the formation of the Native Alliance for Red Power (NARP) and grassroots activism in the 1970s, as well as the recent Kwakwaka’wakw mourning ceremony to commemorate the loss of non-human kin, the role of emotions, and more. Gerry Ambers is Kwakwaka’wakw from the ‘Namgis Nation in Alert Bay, and the mother of five children and six grandchildren. Gerry was one of the founding members of the Native Alliance for Red Power (NARP). The group formed in 1967 in Vancouver, BC (Coast Salish / Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Səl̓ílwətaʔ and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm territories). NARP’s reach extended beyond state borders, interacting with the broader Red Power movement and the Black Panther movement. Today, Gerry supports the work of art galleries, Indigenous organizations and post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island as an Elder, mentor and healing worker.

    1 hr

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About

The Frontlines are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood. Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel will be interviewing Indigenous scholars, activists, artists and knowledge holders from across Turtle Island and around the world in order to gain insight into how Indigenous peoples practice their own forms of Internationalism through intimate connections to land/water, culture and community. This podcast is part of the Indigenous Internationalisms research program with Borders in Globalization (BIG Lab) at the University of Victoria.

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