Upholding Indigenous International Laws: Conversations on Rights, Title, and Kinship

March 14–15, 2025 | University of Victoria

This gathering of Indigenous knowledge-holders and legal scholars examined the ways that Indigenous nations and communities invoke Indigenous international law to confront ongoing colonization and assert self-determining authority. Amidst grassroots community activism as well as advancing Aboriginal title and jurisdiction, Indigenous peoples are acting on their community laws and protocols to affirm rights and title, rematriate our lands, waters and bodies, and honor kinship relations. This two-day colloquium promoted meaningful conversations around the ways that Indigenous nationhood and internationalism are practiced and adapted to confront contemporary challenges and create meaningful strategies for Indigenous nations.

Click below to view the full program.

#5 Frontlines Are Everywhere — Carving out Resurgent W̱SÁNEĆ Futures with Chazz Elliott

featuring Temoseng Chazz Elliot (Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations)

On location at Temoseng’s Carving Studio in Tsartlip First Nation, Jeff and Chazz talk about the art of carving, what Indigenous internationalism looks like, favorite art projects, and inspirations for his work, including his late father, TEMOSEṈŦET (Dr. Charles Elliott from Tsartlip First Nation) and his mother, Myrna Elliott from Songhees Nation.

Listen to Episode Five of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast on YouTube.

The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activist movements, Indigenous trade networks, Indigenous climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders among other topics. 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.

#4 Frontlines Are Everywhere — The Art of Resistance and Anarchism with Gord Hill

featuring Gord Hill of Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Nation (artist, author, and political activist)

Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation sits down with Gord Hill of Kwakwaka’wakw nation for the fourth episode of Frontlines Are Everywhere.

Gord Hill is an artist, author, and political activist. He is the author of ‘The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book,’ ‘The Anti-Capitalist Resistance Comic Book,’ and ‘The Antifa Comic Book.’ He has been involved in Indigenous people’s and anti-globalization movements since 1990.

He began producing comics to share knowledge on the Indigenous resistance movement, before the internet had taken off as a means of research and communication. Those comics have evolved into ‘The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book,’ published by Arsenal Pulp Press in Vancouver.

Gord Hill talks about his journey from the Army Cadets and Canadian Forces reserve to the punk scene and anarchist movement. His experience with the military gave him a background in leadership and logistics that he brings to his activism work.

Gord and Jeff talk about capitalism, globalization, sovereignty, the anarchist movement, and multinational solidarities, including the Oka Crisis, Gustafsen Lake standoff, and 1999 Seattle WTO protests. Amidst global changes and conflict, Gord Hill looks to a future of community self-organization and self-sufficiency, as well as continuing to maintain and share traditional knowledge through practices including art and carving.

Listen to Episode Four of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast on YouTube.

The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activist movements, Indigenous trade networks, Indigenous climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders among other topics. 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.

#3 Frontlines Are Everywhere — Sacred Rage and Love for Land, Culture, & Community

featuring ‘Cúagilákv / Jess H̓áust̓I of Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation (Executive Director of Qqs Project Society and the Co-Lead of Right Relations Collaborative)

Jeff Corntassel, citizen of the Cherokee Nation, sits down with ‘Cúagilákv / Jess H̓áust̓I of Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation. Jess is a parent, poet, and land-based educator living in Bella Bella. They are the Executive Director of Qqs Project Society and the Co-Lead of Right Relations Collaborative.

Jess talked about leadership, the inseparability of body & land, and sacred role of rage in activism. They also talked about the impact of the 2016 Nathan E. Stewart tugboat oil spill that released 110,000 litres of diesel and oil into Haíɫzaqv Nation’s harvesting territory, and their healing in relation to land & waters. They also talked about the resurgence of language initiatives and local food revitalization happening in their community.

Jess concludes the podcast by reading from their debut poetry collection, Crushed Wild Mint.
You can find copies of Crushed Wild Mint here.

Listen to Episode Three of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast on YouTube.

The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activist movements, Indigenous trade networks, Indigenous climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders among other topics. 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.

#2 Frontlines Are Everywhere — Regenerating Indigenous Food Sovereignty

featuring Nephi Craig of White Mountain Apache & Diné Nations (founder of the Native American Culinary Association (NACA), Creator/Chef at Café Gozhóó)

Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation sits down with Nephi Craig of White Mountain Apache and Diné Nations for the second episode of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast series. Nephi Craig is the founder of the Native American Culinary Association (NACA) and the Creator/Chef at Café Gozhóó.

They discuss Nephi’s journey as a chef, and how it brought him back home to the White Mountain Apache Nation where he continues to share his skills and cultivate his cooking style. They discuss the frybread (bannock) controversy, as well as being at the frontlines of health and wellness.

Listen to Episode Two of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast on YouTube.

The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activist movements, Indigenous trade networks, Indigenous climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders among other topics. 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.

#1 Frontlines Are Everywhere — Leading a Restoration Revolution

featuring Cheryl Bryce of Songhees Nation (Lekwungen knowledge-holder, kwetlal / camas protector, Lekwungen Community Toolshed, Colonial Reality Tours)

Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel of Cherokee Nation sits down with Cheryl Bryce of Songhees Nation for the inaugural episode of Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast series. Cheryl Bryce is a Lekwungen knowledge-holder and kwetlal/camas protector. She runs the Lekwungen Community Toolshed and Colonial Reality Tours.

They discuss the restoration of kwetlal/camas food systems and traditional land management. She will also share about her nation’s efforts to protect Stqéyəʔ (Stakaya), the wolf who resided on Tl’chés (Discovery & Chatham Islands) and made international news when his life was cut short by a hunter.

Listen to Episode One of the Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast on Youtube or Spotify.

The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activist movements, Indigenous trade networks, Indigenous climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders among other topics. 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.

#15 BIG Podcast – “Indigenous Resurgence and Indigenous Internationalism”

featuring Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel – Professor in Indigenous Studies & Associate Director of CIRCLE, Victoria, BC, Canada

Indigenous nationhood movements are taking place worldwide in multiple ways and are all connected with the Indigenous resurgence. Indigenous autonomy and self-determination are fundamental to Indigenous resurgence. What are the effects of the Doctrine of Discovery on Indigenous Peoples? What are the Indigenous perspectives on International Relations Theory? Between the Buffalo Treaty, and the role of Indigenous Peoples in the Columbia River treaty renegotiation, Indigenous Peoples are using their internal sovereignty and external sovereignty to establish a stronger political and juridical self-determination. Elements of response and reflection with the Indigenous Scholar Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel.

Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel is a writer, teacher and father from the Cherokee Nation. He is a Professor in Indigenous Studies, and cross-listed Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Victoria as well as Associate Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE). Corntassel is a Co-PI with Dr. Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly on the 7-year SSHRC partnership grant entitled “21st Century Borders” and is the lead of Pillar 1 for that grant focusing on Indigenous Internationalism. Jeff’s research and teaching interests focus on “Everyday Acts of Resurgence” and the intersections between Indigenous internationalism, community resurgence, climate change, gender, and community well-being. situates his work at the grassroots with many Indigenous led community-based programs and initiatives ranging from local food movement initiatives, land-based renewal projects to gendered colonial violence and protection of homelands. He is currently completing work for his forthcoming book on Sustainable Self-Determination, which examines Indigenous climate justice, food security, and gender-based resurgence.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and the Podcast App!