Dr. Angelos Theocharis hosts Indigenous Heritage and Climate Activism series.

The seminar series 'Indigenous Heritage and Climate Activism' delves into the heritage strategies and climate activism of Indigenous peoples globally, while fostering dialogues on the interconnected issues of environmental justice, climate policy, and community art among Indigenous scholars, artists, and activists.

8 May 2024

Seminar Series

The series was organized by Dr Angelos Theocharis (SACS, MCH) and Dr Adelaide McGinity-Peebles (University of Nottingham) and was supported by the Leverhulme Trust and the Centre for Heritage at Newcastle University.

The Sessions

The first session took place on February 1^st at 3 pm GMT on Zoom and focused on South Asia with two prominent speakers from India: Gladson Dungdung, activist, author, and researcher from Jharkhand; and Dr Boro Baski, scholar, community leader, and museum director from West Bengal.

The second session took place on February 21st at 5 pm GMT on Zoom and focused on the Pacific, featuring two prominent speakers from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa: Malia Akutagawa, an attorney, activist, and scholar, Indigenous Kanaka ʻŌiwi from the island of Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi; and Craig Santos Perez, a poet, essayist, and scholar, Indigenous Chamoru (Chamorro) from the Pacific Island of Guåhan/Guam.

The third session took place on April 24th at 6 pm GMT on Zoom and focused on Central America, featuring two prominent speakers: Dr Irma Velásquez Nimatuj (Maya-K'iche'), activist, author, and researcher from Guatemala; and Dr Jessica Hernandez (Binnizá & Maya Ch'orti'), activist, author, and researcher from Mexico.

The fourth session took place on May 8th at 12.30 pm GMT in person (Lecture Theatre 2.32, Cassie Building, Newcastle University) and livestreamed via Zoom. The session focused on the Arctic, featuring two prominent Sámi speakers from Finland: Gunn Britt Retter, Head of Arctic and Environmental Unit at Saami Council; and Rauna Kuokkanen, Research Professor of Arctic Indigenous Politics at the University of Lapland (Finland) and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto.