On the frontlines of Indigenous Internationalism
April 30, 2025
“What do frontlines look like for you?”
This question, posed by professor of Indigenous Studies Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel (Cherokee Nation), begins Frontlines Are Everywhere, a new podcast from the Indigenous Internationalism Collective and the Borders in Globalization Lab at UVic.
For Corntassel, the answer is this: “When Indigenous peoples are confronted by injustices, we will be there on the frontlines to ensure healthy, self-determined futures. When our lands and waters are threatened, we will stand on the frontlines. As climate shifts occur, we will remain on the frontlines. When ancestors call to us, we will vigilantly meet urgent threats on the frontlines. When colonial borders cross us, we will respond on the frontlines. When future generations need us, we will protect our sacred relationships on the frontlines. The frontlines are everywhere, and we are still here, perpetuating our nationhood and relationships for the health and wellbeing of future generations.”
Over the course of twelve episodes, Corntassel illustrates the urgent truth of this statement in interviews with Indigenous scholars, activists, artists and knowledge holders from across Turtle Island and around the world. With these guests, each episode explores what the frontlines look like: from land defense, ecological restoration and food sovereignty; humor, poetry and traditional carving; to comedy and mental health.
The Frontlines Are Everywhere podcast takes a critical look at world politics and Indigenous nationhood by discussing Indigenous-led resurgence and activism, trade networks, climate action and the formation of new alliances that transcend colonial state borders.
“For Indigenous peoples today, the frontlines are everywhere," says Corntassel. "I pose the question, ‘what are Indigenous peoples, nations and Indigenous-led movements doing every day to express their self-determining authority and nationhood?’”
The newly-released season one finale features a discussion with land defenders Sleydo’ Molly Wickham and Jennifer Wickham from Gidimt’en clan of the Wet'suwet'en people.
Frontlines Are Everywhere is one of several Indigenous-led podcasts created by students, staff and faculty of the University of Victoria that mobilize and platform diverse Indigenous knowledges and experiences. As an output of the SSHRC Partnership grant-funded Borders in Globalization, of which Corntassel is co-principal investigator, each episode fosters insight into how Indigenous peoples practice internationalism through connections to land and water, culture and community.
A second season of Frontlines Are Everywhere is currently in production and the first episode will be released on May 30, 2025.