Indigeneity with Andrew

In this episode of 'It Could Happen Here,' host Andrew Sage and co-host Mia Wong engage in a nuanced exploration of indigeneity, challenging simplistic definitions and unpacking the complex interplay between identity, colonialism, and relationship to land. Drawing from the works of Indigenous scholars like Robin Wall Kimmerer, Taiai Alfred, and Jeff Corntassel, they present two interlocking frameworks: indigeneity as a reciprocal relationship with place, and indigeneity as an identity forged in resistance to colonialism. The conversation delves into the contradictions of historical empires, the fluidity of power dynamics (such as in Kurdish and Yazidi relations), and the troubling legacy of post-colonial states perpetuating oppression—exemplified by Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua and Liberia’s settler colonialism by freed African Americans. The hosts argue that decolonization must go beyond land claims and legal recognition, advocating instead for a radical transformation of society through prefigurative practices, ecological stewardship, and the concept of 'naturalization'—where non-Indigenous people can become responsible stewards of place without claiming Indigenous identity. The episode concludes with a call to reject extractive systems and rebuild communities rooted in reciprocity, care, and shared responsibility.