1968-2018 Conference: "From Red Power to Reconciliation"

Taiaiake Alfred
Public Lecture
November 2, 2018
Co-sponsored by SFU's Institute for the Humanities, Department of Humanities, J.S. Woodsworth Chair in the Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), Department of History, School of Communication, SFU Public Square, and the Lacan Salon.
On the 50th anniversary of 1968, this conference will consider various aspects of “the Sixties” in the light of what has developed since considering how it affects our current situation and its prospects: from women’s liberation to contemporary feminism, indigenous politics then and now, the philosophical situation of the 1960s, changes in labour and labour politics, the role of SFU and Vancouver, from anti-psychiatry to contemporary therapies. The speakers will take up one of the strands of the politics and culture of the 1960s to illuminate contemporary concerns.

[@jimmansayagan7681]

You sent me your book, WASASI and I follow all your talks in the KZbin. Thank you, Brother.

[@DarkMoonDroid]

Thank you! This is fantastic! As a white American woman who is in a Love Relationship with a Native man, I need to _continuously_ hear from Indigenous Voices about their experience. As many perspectives as possible, but esp. from his Tribes, the Yurok and also Pomo. I am really glad you explained the problem with the word "reconciliation." It reminds me of what happened to the word *"Sustainable."* Those of us who were intent on removing the scourge of Corporate Capitalism on the Planet used that word to define what we wanted. For us, it meant only do things if it didn't kill, destroy, pollute and violate Indigenous rights, etc.. So, when the government and some companies began using it in their advertisements and public statements, we thot we had won something. So, it was confusing when they used that word and continued to kill, destroy, pollute and violate Indigenous Rights. I learned that they could use that word without changing their behavior because they had _redefined_ it to mean: "sustaining Corporate Capitalism". As long as that goal was met they could conduct sustainable business practices forever. Or, until they reduced Earth to a burnt crust, then they would leave us here and be off to Mars! So, yeah! I get it now! Lots of us have been hopeful that the Indigenous people here can reestablish themselves and regain their Sovereignty so that those of us who really do have good intentions can sincerely apologize, make some kind of restitution and renegotiate - as individuals and not lumped together as "White People" and typified by our corrupt and rogue governments - with you about being here. As scary a thot as that is, I would prefer it over what has been happening. We were tricked too.