Manifest Destiny A novel without words on the history of European imperialism. By Eric Drooker
Speeches and Essays:
They Glorified the Killing of Indigenous People A brief history of the 'Legacy of Columbus' and indigenous resistance.
For America to Live, Europe must Die! by Russel Means
Four people to check into of high recommendation are Rod Coranado, Ward Churchill, Zig Zag, and John Trudell. We've not found many links to Rod and Zig Zag on the internet and some of their writings are hard to come by.
Zig Zag has produced a few booklets with great art and essays on indigenous resistance in Kanada. He works with the Native Youth Movement. Some of his writings include: Anti-History-An Indigenous Anti Capitalist Analysis, Colonization is Always War, We Shall Live Again!, Zig Zag Comic No. 1, etc. The Oak & Cactus Distro carries some of his stuff.
Rod is a mixed-blood Yaqui Indian who was imprisoned in 1995 for a number of direct action activities. He's an inspiring person who has a long history of taking militant direct action with Sea Shepherd, Earth First! and the Animal Liberation Front. Here are some of Rod's thoughts on prison and what it feels like to have been recently released:
"In March 1999 I left the Federal Correction Institution where I was captive for nearly four years. I left prison, but I have not arrived in freedom. Everyday I was imprisoned was a day of remembrance for me. Time to reflect on the reality of being an indigenous guerrilla fighting neo-colonial forces in the late 20th Century, and the cost such resistance required of all those indigenous warriors the world over who have died defending the worldview that recognizes the Earth as our Mother. Only a hundred years ago my ancestors were fighting a guerrilla war against Mexican soldiers and American colonialists. Our babies heads were smashed against trees. Our women (those not actively up in arms) were raped. Our warriors were hung with barbed wire. Just one hundred years ago. I am fighting for what they died for. And I will never be free until all the Earth's children are allowed to peacefully pursue an existence in harmony with Her powers. If that means more prison, I am ready. If that means death I am prepared. But the Invader will not take me or my resistance peacefully. Of that I am certain.We owe that much to our ancestors. To all who have been murdered, not died, fighting for what we now also believe in. Earth First! and the Animal and Earth Liberation Fronts are just contemporary manifestations of an ancient spirit and economic globalization is just the modern equivalent of Western European Colonialism. The timeless continuum of the struggle between good and evil.
But I'll fight, not because I have to (many of us in the 'First World' don't have to) but because I want to. I can think of no more honorable or noble purpose to utilize this life for than to carry this torch of resistance a little further. Realizing always that we can win simply by never surrendering. Freedom to me may be something I personally never fully experience but, like my ancestors, it's something I'm most willing to die for."
Rod also produced an excellent zine called Strong Hearts while imprisoned. The Oak and Cactus Distro carries some of his stuff.
Some Info on Strong Hearts #1, Strong Hearts #2, Strong Hearts #3
Current Struggles:
Bougainville Freedom Movement
Peace on Bougainville ?: Ceasefire Holds But Rebels Remain Cautious (free reader required)
Behind the Balaclavas: Breaking Bread with the Zapatistas
Skwelkwek'welt Protection Center
Email list for updates on indigenous struggles: tintin@tao.ca
A Commune in Chiapas?: Mexico and the Zapatista Rebellion Well written analysis and overview by AUFHEBEN
Chiapas95 The best source of day-to-day news of the ongoing situation.
Useful Links:
Arm the Spirit A good source of internet info on guerilla struggles in many parts of the world.
Redwire Magazine ...the magazine for wagon burning youth.
The Forum for Friends of People Close to Nature (FPCN) "is a global movement of individuals and groups dedicated to the survival of tribal peoples, in particular hunter-gatherers. These were the first and are the last societies on Earth to have a non-exploitative relationship with the natural world. Our task is to help them preserve their unique cultures from enforced assimilation, the ideologies of 'progress' and 'growth' and absorption in the global economy."
