Beyond Unceded Territories (includes both French and English subtitles)

Summary

The transcript is an impassioned plea by Indigenous artist Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun against capitalism's destructive impact on the environment and Indigenous rights. He criticizes the colonial construct and calls for the protection of traditional territories against exploitation. Yuxweluptun uses his art to raise awareness about climate change, the injustices faced by First Nations peoples, and the need for a collective stand against colonialism and environmental degradation.

Takeaways

• 💰 Capitalism is viewed as inherently incompatible with equality and universal human rights, as it prioritizes profit over social justice.
• 🌎 The script criticizes capitalism for its destructive impact on the environment, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
• 🎨 The artist Yuxweluptun uses virtual reality and art to make people experience the consequences of their actions as 'super predators', aiming to raise environmental awareness.
• 🐻 The artist identifies as a defender of the land and criticizes colonialism and its ongoing impact on indigenous peoples and their territories.
• 🇨🇦 Yuxweluptun asserts his indigenous identity and refuses to surrender his land to Canadian authorities, emphasizing the unceded nature of his territory.
• 🌿 The script highlights the importance of protecting traditional territories from exploitation, such as pipelines and oil spills, for the sake of the environment and future generations.
• 🚫 There's a call to action against colonialism and its destructive practices, urging people to join in protest and resistance.
• 🌡️ The script discusses the inability of capitalism to address global warming due to greed and the pursuit of power.
• 🌍 The artist sees colonialism as a global issue that affects indigenous peoples worldwide and uses his art to shed light on their shared struggles.
• 👥 The script emphasizes the power of unity among people in the face of oppressive systems and the need for collective action for change.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by the speaker regarding capitalism?

The speaker expresses concern that capitalism prioritizes profit over equality and human rights, suggesting that it lacks the will to provide freedom and equality for everyone.

What does the speaker criticize about the current economic system?

The speaker criticizes the current economic system, specifically capitalism, for its role in environmental destruction, exploitation of natural resources, and disregard for the biosphere.

What is the purpose of the virtual reality project mentioned in the script?

The purpose of the virtual reality project is to put the audience in the body of a 'super predator' to make them realize the destruction they are causing, experiencing the joy of creation while simultaneously destroying the environment.

What does the speaker suggest is the cause of environmental issues like global warming?

The speaker suggests that the cause of environmental issues like global warming is capitalism and the relentless pursuit of profit, leading to the exploitation of natural resources and disregard for the environment.

What is the significance of the speaker identifying as the Great Spirit bear?

Identifying as the Great Spirit bear signifies the speaker's connection to the land and his role as a protector of the environment, emphasizing the sacredness of the land and the responsibility to care for it.

What is the speaker's stance on unceded territories?

The speaker asserts that the land has never been surrendered and will not be given up to any outsiders, including Canadians or their queen, emphasizing the indigenous people's right to their land.

How does the speaker describe the role of art in his work?

The speaker describes the role of art in his work as a means to enlighten, entertain, and provide joy, as well as to record history and confront modern issues, particularly those related to colonialism and indigenous rights.

What is the message behind the speaker's statement about pipelines and tankers?

The message behind the speaker's statement about pipelines and tankers is a call for environmental protection and opposition to projects that could harm the land and biosphere, reflecting a stance against colonial exploitation.

What does the speaker imply about the future under the current capitalist system?

The speaker implies that if the current capitalist system continues unchecked, it will lead to environmental catastrophe, the extinction of many species, and a world dominated by greed and power.

What is the speaker's view on the potential of a socialist or communal world?

The speaker views a socialist or communal world as a potential solution to the problems caused by capitalism, suggesting that it could lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and a world where everyone's needs are met.

How does the speaker connect the issues faced by indigenous peoples to global issues?

The speaker connects the issues faced by indigenous peoples, such as land rights and environmental destruction, to global issues by highlighting the shared colonial experiences and the fight against exploitation and destruction of homelands worldwide.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Environmental Destruction and Indigenous Rights

The speaker discusses the conflict between capitalism and environmental preservation, highlighting the greed of capitalists and their disregard for human rights and equality. They describe a virtual reality project designed to make people experience the consequences of their destructive actions. The speaker, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, criticizes capitalism for causing environmental harm and expresses his identity as an indigenous artist dealing with unceded territories. He emphasizes the sacredness of the land and the need for respect and care for it, sharing his personal stance against colonialism and the Canadian government's policies.

05:02

📜 Art as a Protest Against Colonialism

Yuxweluptun uses his art to record history and raise awareness about the colonial occupation and the plight of indigenous peoples. He identifies as a modernist, focusing on contemporary issues like environmental destruction and the rights of First Nations peoples. The artist calls for a collective 'no' to pipelines, oil tankers, and the exploitation of natural resources, emphasizing the importance of protecting traditional territories. He discusses the impact of colonialism on the planet and the need for global action against it, also touching on the issue of global warming and the role of greed in perpetuating environmental crises.

10:05

🌍 The Fight Against Climate Change and Colonialism

The speaker addresses the urgent need to combat climate change and the role of colonialism in exacerbating it. He criticizes the capitalist system for its inability to address global warming due to greed and the pursuit of power. Yuxweluptun calls for a revolution against the current system and the implementation of socialist ideals to create a more equitable world. He also discusses the historical and ongoing injustices faced by indigenous peoples, including the internment of Native children in residential schools and the need for truth and reconciliation.

15:05

🏞️ The Struggle for Indigenous Sovereignty

Yuxweluptun emphasizes the ongoing struggle of indigenous peoples for sovereignty and the preservation of their lands and culture. He discusses the history of colonization and the impact it has had on First Nations peoples, including the forced internment onto reservations and the loss of their children in residential schools. The artist calls for the abolition of the Indian Act and for indigenous peoples to be allowed to participate fully in the nation without giving up their lands. He also addresses the need for national monuments to mourn the deaths of indigenous children and the importance of art in raising awareness and promoting change.

20:07

🎨 The Power of Art in Social Change

In this paragraph, Yuxweluptun reflects on the role of art in society, particularly in enlightening and provoking thought and emotion. He discusses how technology can be used as a tool to connect more deeply with the world and facilitate conversations about important issues. The artist sees his work as a means to communicate with the outside world about the treatment of First Nations peoples and to inspire action towards social change.

Keywords

💡Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and the creation of goods and services for profit. In the video, it is criticized for its inability to ensure equality and its focus on profit over human rights, exemplified by the line 'Capitalism has no room for... freedom and equality for everyone.' The speaker argues that capitalism inherently leads to environmental destruction and exploitation.

💡Equality

Equality refers to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. The script discusses the concept of equality in the context of human rights and societal structures, questioning whether capitalism can truly support it. The phrase 'It means that other people, would have to have human rights' illustrates the struggle for equality.

💡Super Predator

A super predator is a dominant entity that has a significant impact on its environment, often leading to the destruction of ecosystems. The video uses virtual reality to put the audience in the shoes of a super predator, illustrating the destructive nature of human actions on the environment, as indicated by 'you're also simultaneously destroying it' when referring to the act of creating art.

💡Deforestation

Deforestation is the large-scale clearing of forests by humans, resulting in habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. The script mentions deforestation as part of the broader critique of capitalist practices that harm the environment: 'Cutting down all the trees... poisoning all the rivers, and fracking everything.'

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy and practice of a power in dominating another territory and its people. The artist Yuxweluptun discusses colonialism in the context of indigenous rights and land ownership, stating 'I have never surrendered this to you. I will never give this land up to any of you Canadians, or your queen.' This reflects the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect for indigenous sovereignty.

💡Indigenous Rights

Indigenous rights refer to the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain and reclaim their cultural practices, identities, and ancestral lands. The script emphasizes the ongoing fight for these rights, as seen in 'I am the Great Spirit bear that roams this land. You have to be kind to this land.' It highlights the need for respect and acknowledgment of indigenous peoples' historical and ongoing contributions to society.

💡Global Warming

Global warming refers to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities, primarily the emission of greenhouse gases. The video addresses global warming as a consequence of capitalist greed and exploitation, with the line 'They can't stop global warming because of greed. And, it's their greed that's gonna kill them.'

💡Resistance

Resistance is the act of opposing or fighting against something. The script includes calls for resistance against colonialism and environmental destruction, as in 'The people, united, will never be defeated...' and 'We stand with Wet'suwet'en!' These phrases reflect the collective action and solidarity needed to challenge oppressive systems.

💡Socialism

Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production are owned or controlled collectively, often by the state. The video script suggests socialism as an alternative to capitalism, proposing 'To think of a socialist concept, or to think of a world, where everybody can get along, where all people could have medical, where all people could have education.'

💡Greed

Greed is an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain. In the context of the video, greed is presented as a driving force behind environmental destruction and social inequality, as stated in 'Such a dominating force, for the last 500 years. How could you un-teach greed?' It is portrayed as a central problem within the capitalist system.

💡Art

Art is a diverse range of human activities involving creative or imaginative expression, often intended to convey meaning or emotion. The artist Yuxweluptun uses art as a medium to communicate his message and raise awareness about social and environmental issues, as indicated by 'These are paintings to talk to the outside world, and the treatment of First Nations peoples from around the world.'

Highlights

Capitalism's conflict with equality and human rights

The virtual reality project to experience being a super predator

The realization of being a destroyer in a joyful surrealist landscape

The critique of capitalism's role in environmental destruction

The artist's stance on unceded territories and indigenous rights

The importance of art in recording history and confronting oppression

The call for global action against colonial destruction

The artist's identity as Yuxweluptun and his commitment to his land

The protest against pipelines and environmental exploitation

The critique of capitalism's inability to address global warming

The artist's vision for a world free from colonialism

The power of people's unity against oppressive systems

The artist's call for a revolution against the current system

The critique of greed as a driving force behind global warming

The artist's message of hope and the power of collective action

The importance of art in provoking thought and emotion

The potential of technology to connect and enlighten people

Transcripts

What would you do with equality?

It doesn't make money.

It means that other people

would have to have human rights.

Capitalism has no room for, it has no will to...

have freedom and equality for everyone.

We're capitalists.

We are pure... capitalists.

Don't be like that! Don't be that way!

You're too greedy, leave it alone!

Why are you throwing that oil?

What we tried to do with this virtual reality project is

put the audience

in the body of the super predator.

I thought I would create a piece so that they could

Actually see themselves,

what it's like to be destroyers,

to be...

the people that are the super predators

and to see themselves.

In this experience,

you put on the mask of the super predator.

You have hands that look like Lawrence's paintings,

having a joyful experience of creating a surrealist landscape

in Lawrence's art style.

So as you throw this paint

and you enjoy this world,

you're also simultaneously destroying it.

And so the realization is that

the world is being destroyed, and you're involved in that.

Yes, we should be moving away from fossil fuels.

The plastic world that we have.

The problems of the oceans that we have.

The temperature of the planet

This is capitalism.

They have the right to be death bringers.

You have the right to be the destroyer,

and not care about the biosphere.

The capitalist system that is destroying this planet.

Pipeline through the mountains.

Cutting down all the trees and

poisoning all the rivers,

and fracking everything.

Killing all the salmon.

Killing all the birds.

Deforestation everywhere.

This is the problem of the two-faced colonial construct

This is the new world order.

I am the Great Spirit bear that roams this land.

You have to be kind to this land.

Look after this land as you walk with me.

This is sacred land.

You are only a guest.

I am Yuxweluptun.

Or Lets'lo:tseltun

Or Lawrence Paul

I'm an artist

and I'm dealing with unceded territories.

When I say that this is unceded territories,

I have never surrendered this to you.

I will never give this land up to any of you Canadians,

or your queen.

Never.

I will never give it up.

I will never sing your national anthem.

These are things that I stand true to.

That's my feelings and I'm not about to change those.

That's why I make art the way I do, is that

my time is now.

A lot of my work deals with

the colonial occupation

that native people have had to endure.

And I think that's what my work is doing

is to to record history

and not so much affecting traditionalism.

I'm a modernist

I'm dealing with modern issues of modern times.

All of these things that I talk about

come from the past.

I've had to go into the past

to talk about the future because

because when you're so busy being oppressed

you have very little time to deal with your own history.

My job is to enlighten people,

to entertain people,

to give them joy, to give them a better understanding

of our free will.

We are human beings and we deserve the right to be here.

Not in the conditions that we are.

These are paintings to talk to the outside world

and the treatment of First Nations peoples from around the world

that are confronting the same colonial destruction of their homelands as much

as any other indigenous peoples from around the world.

I am Yuxweluptun,

or Lets'lo:tseltun

or Lawrence Paul.

Colonialism is going to gobble up this planet.

I'm looking at the protection of our traditional territories.

No, you can't have oil tankers,

No you can't have pipelines

coming through this province.

You can't buy a biosphere.

This province was never ready for one small little oil

spill in this bay. Can this province afford,

500 years

of an oil spill in the harbour of Vancouver?

you will contaminate the beaches, everything will be under oil.

Can tourism Canada handle 500 years of a smelly harbour that smells like oil?

No.

Having pipelines in this province,

it is not within the best of interest of our people to have them.

So I want people to join with me to say no.

And that's what I am doing , is that

my work is about the protest of colonialism and its rule.

It's that, it's not, might is not always right.

Today I'm saying no.

They can't stop global warming because of greed.

And, it's their greed that's gonna kill them.

Global warming is under way and

that's their crowning pivot of

pure supremacy, that they could control the world.

They have all, everything at their disposal.

We know what this world is doing.

We do know what's gonna happen.

It's ugly.

It's pure... power.

They can't get enough of it.

We're so used to extermination.

It is the answer to colonialism.

If you get in our way, I will exterminate you.

Our youth has got a lot of energy!

We're not going anywhere! Whoa!

The people, united, will never be defeated...

The people, united, will never be defeated...

RCMP, stand down!

We stand with Wet'suwet'en!

RCMP, stand down!

People, you say power!

People!

Power!

People!

Power!

I say planet, you say power

The question is how do you shut down capitalism?

How do you create a revolution?

We have standing armies, we have secret police.

This is globally which is going on so it's,

it's an illogical philosophy.

Water!

Life!

Water!

Life!

The live for the moment and whoever has this planet when their time comes,

well, that's all that's left.

Protest! Protest!

People are going to be born into this planet,

there's gonna be no more mammals on this world.

Redress! Redress!

You get the oceans really super hot,

you're gonna start to get global red tides.

Future! Future!

I didn't wish this upon anybody.

People! People!

I didn't make all these things up.

Power! Power!

I'm not the one that killed all the Grizzly bear

Mother!

Earth!

Mother!

I'm not the one that killed all the Buffalo.

Children!

Future!

Children!

Future!

I'm not the one that created a country,

and then didn't include them

into the bill of Human Rights

and didn't allow them to be citizens of this country.

Yeah, it's okay to look down on me,

selfish ways of racism.

What do we want?

A cookie!

How many do we want?

Two!

So I'm having another bad colonial day,

here in British Columbia.

You think my Spirit Bear is going to let you into the spirit world?

That door is going to be closed.

We're going to go into our own spirit world.

I don't want to be hanging around

the colonial spirit world after death.

The noble savage tried and tried and tried but,

they were so busy killing us.

They just couldn't accept the idea.

No, this is not going to happen to the world.

Well it is happening. It is here.

Global warming is on right now,

and it's going to win.

All the scientists of the world

have asked the question.

How do you stop global warming?

Tell me that there is something

that's going to happen that's going

to save this planet.

Give me some sort of,

words of,

peace and tranquility

within capitalism,

cleaning up this mess.

We are many!

They are few!

We are many!

They are few!

To think of a socialist concept,

or to think of a world,

where everybody can get along,

where all people can have medical,

where all people could have education.

How dare you even think of that!

If you're anti-capitalist,

you're a communist.

A true socialist world has never been tried.

Which means having a revolution.

Let's stop this system which is destroying this world.

Let's outlaw,

the concept...

Greed.

Such a dominating force,

for the last 500 years.

How could you un-teach greed?

That is the biggest factor

in the history of civilization

that,

that is driving

global warming.

What are you gonna do?

Bring the RCMP?

Bring the Royal Canadian Mounted Police?

Bring your Canadian Army?

We don't need all that.

What we need is an understanding.

You'd have to have equality for everyone.

That is not within the best of their interests

because it means that wealth would no longer exist.

But they can't say that, well, we have a solution.

To fix this problem.

And they have all the smartest scientists in the world,

working on this problem.

We know what global warming is.

We know what climate change is.

But if I give you,

the answers to the equation,

will anyone would even listen?

They've had meetings and meetings

and talks and talks.

Colonialism...

it has never been designed to care for.

The colonial snake

is wrapped itself

around the earth,

and it's going to squeeze it like a cobra,

and keep squeezing until the breath is

no longer there.

Here comes colonial snake.

Now everything is dead.

No more birds that sing.

No more bears that wander around.

No more deer,

all of them are gone.

If we want truth and reconciliation in this country,

how can I reconcile with this country

if they can't give me the truth?

You can't stand on a world stage

and talk about equality and injustices

that are genocides to other worldly peoples,

and point your fingers at other countries

when in turn you're doing the same thing

to the indigenous peoples

here in Canada.

I think as an artist it's important for

younger people to understand that,

in this province

they expect you to extinguish your inherent rights forever,

as land claims.

This is an example of the Nishka deal, why I painted

Chump Change- The Last Stand.

Do our children understand that

when they formed The Confederation of British Columbia

they interned Indian people onto reservations?

Is this going to be forever, a legacy of reservations and segregation

of internment camps?

These are paintings to talk to the outside world

and treatment of First Nations peoples from around the world that are confronting

the same colonial destruction of their homelands as much as any other

indigenous peoples from around the world.

This is First Nations Territories.

this is, traditional native land.

This is a province,

that belongs to native people,

but we are held hostage

on reservations.

How many thousands of Native children died in residential school?

I'm a residential school survivor.

Where do we go to have national monuments to mourn,

the death of all these children?

These are things that we have to deal with.

is this the kind of country that you expect,

to continue?

These are some of the issues that I have.

And I think that's what my work is about,

is to record history.

Do I have the right to have an existential thought?

Abolish the Indian Act and move on as a nation.

And we should become municipalities

and join this country but let the native people do these things

so that they can participate in this country.

They don't want an extinguishment policy of their lands.

I don't want to extinguish my lands,

to this government.

I think we want to look after them.

I say pipeline, you say end it!

Pipeline!

End it!

Pipeline!

End it!

I say fracking, you say ban!

Fracking!

Ban!

Fracking!

Ban!

I say police, you say stand down!

Police!

Stand Down!

Police!

Stand Down!

I say frack ass you say frack off!

Frack Ass!

Frack Off!

Frack Ass!

Frack Off!

I say idle, you say no more!

idle!

No More!

Idle!

No More!

I say climate, you say strike!

Climate!

Strike!

Climate!

Strike!

I say water, you say life!

Water!

Life!

Water!

Life!

I say Freda, you say Huson!

Freda!

Huson!

Freda!

Huson!

I say freedom, you say justice!

Freedom!

Justice!

Freedom!

Justice!

I say children, you say future!

Children!

Future!

Children!

Future!

I say planet, you say power!

Planet!

Power!

Planet!

Power!

I say people, you say power!

People!

Power!

People!

Power!

People!

Power!

People!

Power!

You know that's what the arts are for, is to

enlighten you, to make you happy, to make you sad.

To make you think.

That's what art is for, it's to give you all of those things the

The tools of technology just allow us to connect more deeply with the world around us.

And that's my personal goal with the technology,

because,

even if I didn't have technology I'd still be talking to people.

But this just allows

an interesting conversation to happen.