Re-thinking Who We Are Through A Decolonizing Lense | Sisa Quispe | TEDxUnionTownshipWomen

Summary

The speaker, a Quechua and Aymara indigenous woman, shares her journey of self-discovery and identity, from being labeled as 'mestiza' in Peru to embracing her indigenous roots in New York. She discusses the impact of colonialism on indigenous cultures, the importance of language preservation, and the need for representation in media to break stereotypes. Through her art and social media, she promotes a decolonized perspective, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all people and the collective healing that comes from acknowledging and embracing our diverse indigenous heritage.

Takeaways

• 🧭 The speaker acknowledges being on unsurrendered occupied territory of the Lenape Hawking people.
• 🌎 The speaker identifies as Quechua and Aymara, expressing pride in their indigenous heritage.
• 🇵🇪 Growing up in Peru, the speaker was identified as mestiza, a term signifying mixed heritage with Spaniard colonizers and indigenous people.
• 📜 Mestiza is a term from the caste system imposed during colonization to uphold white supremacy.
• 🗽 Moving to New York prompted the speaker to question their identity and led to an identity crisis.
• 📚 Learning about mestizaje and blood quantum revealed to the speaker that they were a detribalized indigenous woman.
• 🔍 The speaker undertook a journey to learn Quechua, their indigenous language, and to reconnect with their culture.
• 🎨 As an artist and storyteller, the speaker aims to break stereotypes and educate about indigenous cultures through various media, including a YouTube channel called Vive Quechua.
• 🌿 The Quechua language and culture reflect deep respect for nature and community, with no word for 'nature' and referring to everyone as family.
• 🧠 The speaker emphasizes the importance of decolonizing minds, understanding and embracing one's history, and collective healing from the impacts of colonialism.

Q & A

What is the significance of acknowledging the Lenape Hawking people's territory at the beginning of the talk?

The speaker starts by acknowledging the Lenape Hawking people's territory to honor the indigenous people and to recognize that the land they are on is not surrendered, which is an important gesture of respect and acknowledgment of indigenous rights and history.

What does the term 'mestiza' imply in the context of the speaker's upbringing in Peru?

The term 'mestiza' refers to a person of mixed heritage, specifically between Spanish colonizers and indigenous people. It originated from the caste system imposed during colonization to uphold white supremacy, suggesting a higher status than being indigenous but lower than being Spanish or European.

How did the speaker's perception of her identity change after moving to New York?

In New York, the speaker was often mistaken for being from various Latin American backgrounds, which led her to question her identity. This prompted her to educate herself about the term 'mestiza' and to understand her true heritage as a detribalized indigenous woman.

What is 'blood quantum' and why was it created?

Blood quantum is a system used to measure the degree of 'Indian blood' in a person, created as a method to limit the number of people who could claim indigenous identity and rights.