Collaboration, Decolonization, and the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

My presentation will revolve around my work as a Ho-Chunk/Ojibwe scholar in collaboration with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band (AMTB) to work towards decolonization.  I will discuss our efforts to develop educational curriculum from an Indigenous perspective that can be incorporated into the California public schools. Respectful collaboration with the AMTB is essential, and includes developing a memorandum of understanding, following Amah Mutsun protocol, meeting regularly for feedback, and gaining tribal approval every step of the way.  I will also discuss what allyship means and what it means to be a good ally.  In order to decolonize educational curriculum, it takes Natives and non-Natives working together as allies in respectful collaboration.  I will also discuss that decolonization must also include land back to California Indians.  For this to happen, we must work together as allies of California Indians too.  I will discuss how land was stolen from California Indians to create the UC system so returning land to Indigenous people is of central important for decolonization.