Indigenous Solidarity with Palestine

The past two weeks of horrific violence in Gaza resulted from 75 years of Israeli settler colonial dispossession, 56 years of military occupation, and 16 years of an open-air prison for 2.2 million people, half of whom are children. The atrocities of the Israeli apartheid regime in Palestine are relentless, illegal under international law, and consistent with settler-colonial projects globally.

It has been heartbreaking and unsurprising to see the colonial powers in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe line up behind this genocide. Israeli settler colonialism, apartheid, and occupation are only possible because of international support.

The settler states that dispossess and occupy our lands support Israel in dispossessing and occupying Palestine.

We see and feel the strength of Palestinian families in the face of the quotidian violence of the Israeli apartheid regime. Colonized peoples have the right to defend themselves and to resist colonial violence. We support Palestinian liberation and their right as an oppressed people to resist colonialism and genocide.

We amplify the immediate demands of people in Gaza as the bare minimum, including:

1. An immediate ceasefire to halt more state-sanctioned Palestinian death, to allow for dignified burials for the deceased in overflowing morgues and under rubble and to prevent outbreaks of disease.

2. The urgent restoration of water, food, fuel, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.

3. Immediate protection of medical facilities and reversing the illegal and inhumane evacuation orders for hospitals.

4. The facilitation of safe passage for casualties and critically ill individuals in need of medical treatment.

5. While the people of Gaza vehemently reject forced displacement, we insist on opening the crossings for those seeking to evacuate and permitting the entry of medical and rescue teams, along with their equipment.

And:

6. An end to all foreign military aid from the United States and Canada to Israel.

As Indigenous peoples, we condemn the increase in anti-Palestinian, anti-Islamic, and anti-Arab violence everywhere. We condemn the increase in anti-Indigenous violence everywhere. We condemn anti-Jewish violence everywhere. We condemn punishing workers, students, artists, politicians, and academics for supporting Palestinian liberation. We recognize that Zionism is a form of racism and a colonial ideology that does not represent the views of all Jewish people throughout the world.

We encourage Indigenous peoples worldwide to uplift additional demands from Palestinian organizers, to commit to the Palestinian call to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) Israel and all institutions complicit in Israeli apartheid and settler colonialism, to issue solidarity statements and mutual aid for Palestine and organize mutual aid for Gaza, to demand freedom for political prisoners, and to support Land Back and the right of return for Palestinians.

Stop the genocide. End the siege. End the occupation. Dismantle apartheid. Decolonize Palestine.

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe

Nick Estes, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, The Red Nation

Uahikea Maile, Kanaka Maoli

Glen Coulthard, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, University of British Columbia

Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, Kanehsatà:ke Mohawk

Natalie Diaz, Akimel O’otham/Mojave, Center for Imagination in the Borderlands

Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, University of Hawai’i at Manoa

Kelly Hayes, Menominee, Lifted Voices/Truthout

Melanie Yazzie, Diné (Navajo Nation)

Jennifer Wickham, Gidimt’en, Wet’suwet’en Nation, Gidimt’en Checkpoint

Dallas Goldtooth, Mdewakanton Dakota/Diné

J. Kēhaulani Kauanui, Kanaka Maoli

Robert Warrior, Osage Nation, University of Kansas

Jean O’Brien, White Earth Ojibwe citizen, University of Minnesota

Noelani Goodyear-Kaopua, Kanaka Maoli, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Noenoe Silva, Kanaka Maoli

Audra Simpson, Kahnawake Mohawk, Columbia University

Joseph M. Pierce, Cherokee Nation citizen, Stony Brook University

Sandy Grande, Quechua, University of Connecticut

Eve Tuck, Unangax

Jenni Laiti, Sápmi

Te Taiawatea Moko-Painting, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou, Waikato, Tūhourangi, Te Tira Whakamātaki

Jodi A Byrd, Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma

Jennifer Denetdale, Diné, University of New Mexico

Jennifer Marley, San Ildefonso, University of New Mexico

Amy McQuire, Darumbal, Queensland University of Technology

Chelsea Watego, Munanjahli/South Sea Islander, Institute of Collaborative Race Research

Michelle Daigle, Mushkegowuk, University of Toronto

Terese Marie Mailhot, Seabird Island Band/Nlaka’pamux

Frank Waln, Sicangu Lakota, Oceti Sakowin

Susan Blight, Anishinaabe, Couchiching First Nation, Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty #3, OCAD

Dana Lee, Diné/Tusque Pueblo

Kristen Bos, Red River Métis, University of Toronto

Krystal Two Bulls, Oglala Lakota/Northern Cheyenne, Honor the Earth

Julia Bernal, Sandia Pueblo, Pueblo Action Alliance

Lani Teves, Kanaka ‘Ōiwi, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Janene Yazzie, Diné (Navajo Nation)

Francis Nona, Torres Strait Islander, Carumba Institute Queensland University of Technology

Michael Fabris, Piikani (Blackfoot), University of British Columbia

Nickita Longman, Saulteaux, George Gordon First Nation, Winnipeg Police Cause Harm

Hayley McQuire, Darumbal, National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition

Meriki Onus, Gunnai and Gunditjmara nations (so called Australia)

Maggie Munn, Gunggari, Change the Record, so-called Australia

Crystal McKinnon, Yamatji, University of Melbourne

Natalie Ironfield, Dharug, University of Melbourne

Tame Malcolm, Ngāti Tarāwhai- Aotearoa/New Zealand

Amanda Porter, Yuin, University of Melbourne

Maile Arvin, Kanaka Maoli, University of Utah

Jeffrey Ansloos, Fisher River Cree Nation, University of Toronto

Kyon Benally, Diné (Navajo Nation)

Tarneen Onus Browne, Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Bindal and Merium (Australia), Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance

Lynda-June Coe, Wiradjuri and Torres Strait Islander, Macquarie University

Nicole Martin, Laguna Pueblo and Diné

Healani Sonoda-Pale, Ka Lāhui Hawai’i

Braden Thue, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Sisseton Wahpeton College

Kaye Maree Dunn, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Te Rangikoianaake, Ngāti Mahanga, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Te Rarawa, Making Everything Achievable

Kevin Yow Yeh, Wakka Wakka & South Sea Islander, Institute for Collaborative Race Research

Erica Violet Lee, Nēhiyaw, Thunderchild Cree Nation/west side Saskatoon

Eugenia Flynn, Larrakia and Tiwi, RMIT University

Iokepa Casumbal-Salazar, Kanaka ʻŌiwi, The University of Texas at Austin

Helga West, Deatnu River Sámi, University of Helsinki, Finland

Tara Begay, Diné, The Red Nation

Riley Kucheran, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Toronto Metropolitan University

Raine Cloud, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota Oyate, Sisseton Wahpeton College

Don Eastman, Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Sisseton Wahpeton College

Lisa Kealohapaʻaokahaleole Hall, Kanaka Maoli, University of Victoria

Kyle Whyte, Citizen Potawatomi Nation

Megan Scribe, Ininiw, Norway House Cree Nation, Toronto Metropolitan University

Kaleikoa Kaʻeo, Kanaka Maoli, University of Hawaii Maui College, Hawaiian Kingdom

Natali Segovia, Quechua, Water Protector Legal Collective

Eva Jewell, Deshkan Ziibiing Anishinaabe, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Toronto Metropolitan University

Siku Allooloo, Inuk/Haitian/Taíno

asinnajaq, Inuk, Inukjuak Nunavik

Quill Christie-Peters, Anishinaabeg, OCAD University

Alison Whittaker, Gomeroi, University of Technology Sydney

Natalie Harkin, Narungga, Flinders University, Kaurna Yarta

Anne Spice, Tlingit, Kwanlin Dun First Nation, Toronto Metropolitan University

Pura Fé, Tuscarora/Taino

Mayuk Manuel, Secwepemc, Tiny House Warriors

Whess Harman, Carrier Wit’at, Grunt Gallery

Gerry Ambers, Namgis/Kwakwakawakw

Nick Tilsen, Oglala Lakota, NDN Collective

Ronny Kareni, West Papua, Rize of the Morning Star

Floridalma Boj Lopez, Maya Kiche, UCLA

Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark, Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe, University of Victoria

Evelyn Araluen, Bundjalung, Overland Literary Journal

Anne-Marie Te Whiu, Te Rarawa – Aotearoa

Sharon Meagher (Austin), Adnyamathanha Nations, Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Karen Wyld, Martu

Kim Michelle O’Donnell, Malyangapa/ Barkindji, Flinders and Adelaide Universities Adelaide SA

Zena Cumpston, Barkandji

Melissa Lucashenko, Bundjalung

Nathan Woolford, Gooreng Gooreng, Flinders University

Arlie Alizzi, Yugambeh, University of Melbourne

Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Indigenous Climate Action

Nadine Anne Hura, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi (Aotearoa)

Essa Ranapiri, Ngaati Raukawa, Ngaati Puukeko, Te Arawa, Waikato Tainui

Lou Bennett, Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung, University of Melbourne

Mykaela Saunders, Dharug descent, Bundjalung community, Macquarie University

Naomi Simmonds, Raukawa ki te kaokaoroa o Patetere

Brandon Benallie, Diné

Michelle Rahurahu, Aotearoa, Ngaati Tahu-Ngaati Whaoa, Ngaati Rahurahu, Rangitāne

Lou Cornum, Navajo Nation, New York University

Nathan Blackwell, Diné, Columbia University

Cassandra Barnett, Raukawa ki Te Kaokaoroa-o-Paatetere / Ngaati Huri (Aotearoa), Waikato Museum

Paola Balla Wemba-Wemba & Gunditjmara, Moondani Balluk, Victoria University

Lorna Munro, Wiradjuri Gomeroi

Teila Watson, BirriGubba Wiri, Gangulu

Jeanine Leane, Wiradjuri, University of Melbourne

Nici Cumpy, Barkandji people New South Wales, Art Gallery of South Australia

vika mana, Zagareb and Dauareb tribes of the Meriam peoples, the village of Fahefa in Tonga, Bsharri district in Lebanon and many other Indigenous peoples across different nations and waters.

Ali Gumillya Baker, Mirning, Flinders University

Noelani Ahia, Kānaka Maoli, Maui Medic Healers Hui

Linda Quiquivix, Maya (Mam)

Jazz Money, Wiradjuri

Natasha Lee, Mualgal (St Paul’s Village, Moa Island Zenadth Kes), Thunghutti, Yidinji & Kullilli, Institute of Collaborative Race Research (ICRR)

Ansley Simpson, Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe, Alderville FN

Jalvvi Niillas Holmberg, Sápmi

Ritni Ráste Pieski, Sápmi

Suvi West, Sámi

Gáddjá Haarla Pieski, Sápmi, Deanuleahki

Aarni Pieski, Deatnu River Sámi

Lotta Hagelin, Sámi