SJCON 2023—WSU’s Social Justice Conference
On April 21st and 22nd, and along with over a dozen other units and organizations, WGSS co-sponsored Washington State University’s Social Justice Conference entitled, “Native Sovereignty, Decolonization, Divestment, Reparations, and Environmental Justice: Constructing Coalitions at the Intersections.” At this primarily online event, 24 inspiring scholars and activists shared plans and ideas for constructing intersectional coalitions. Among these speakers were many indigenous scholars and activists who shared their own personal stories and experiences in dealing with colonization and offered potential solutions for building strong alliances across groups advocating for divestment and decolonization. In total, 452 people registered for the event, but if you were unable to attend, you can listen to the audio here on KBOO Radio. The three panels featured were “Remembering the Salmon Scam,” with commentary by Bruce Jim, Chief Slo
ckish, David Sohappy, Jr., Andy Sohappy, defense attorney Tom Keefe, Celilo Wy’am activist Lana Jack, and Celilo Wy’am fisher Lila Jack; “Black-Indigenous Solidarity,” featuring discussion from Kent Ford, co-founder of the Portland chapter of the Black Panthers, and activist-scholars Sky Wilson, and Danica Brown, enrolled Choctaw of the Watonlak Oshi “White Crane” clan; and lastly, “Mourning, resilience, and resistance: The Story of the Celilo Wy’am” with Celilo Wyam activist Lana Jack reading an excerpt from her memoir. Be sure to follow-up on WSU SJCON’s website and catch the second half of the event and videos of all panels that were taped.