Land Back Deck

The next graphic for Colonialism looks at the Landbank movement. The top of the graphic depicts the Landback of 1492 Lane Protest in Canada, a movement advocating for the return of Indigenous lands and sovereignty. It focuses on reclaiming lands taken or ceded under colonialism, addressing historical injustices, and respecting Indigenous land rights. This initiative seeks to redress colonial wrongs and affirm Indigenous sovereignty over ancestral territories. The specific reference to 1492 Lane is a creative way to highlight the long-standing and ongoing impacts of colonization and the need to restore Indigenous control and access to traditional territories.

The Buffalo Nickel, minted from 1913 to 1938, features an Indigenous person on one side and a buffalo on the other. The Indigenous person portrait combined elements from three individuals, including the Oglala Chief Iron Tail on this coin, and the buffalo from a zoo whose name was Black Diamond. While intended to honor Indigenous history and traditions, the coin has faced criticism for its stereotypical portrayal and lack of authentic representation.

The image below is of an Indigenous man interrupting a protest against illegal immigration, stating the land was originally his people’s territory and telling all the protesters “You’re all f**king illegal” and “We should’ve put up those signs when you sons of bitches arrived!” Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of the land, this man is arguing that the protestors should consider this truth when discussing illegal immigrants (Indigenous Mexican people, the original peoples of that land) and land ownership. The Indigenous man interrupting the protest highlights the ongoing issues of Indigenous rights and the history of stolen land on Turtle Island (North America).

Below the Indigenous man is a photo of the Fort Lawton takeover, a pivotal event in Indigenous activism. In 1970, Native American activists, alongside allies, occupied the abandoned Fort Lawton military base in Seattle and demanded the return of the land to Indigenous peoples. This takeover was a protest against the federal government's neglect of Treaty obligations and the broader history of land theft. The event is celebrated for its role in advancing Indigenous rights and highlighting the ongoing struggle for Landback and sovereignty.