Lubna Alli

In the video, the Indigenous artist Rebecca Belmore decides that instead of demonstrating before Parliament she would return to the community and build a megaphone through which community members could speak to the land. What do you think about this choice? What does it accomplish? What does it honor?

By using a tactical measure to resist, Belmore brings attention to an issue in a way that is not only unique but that allows her community to heal in the process of telling their story. In their fight, they are able to spark attention for these reasons primarily. They demand attention in the subtle but impactful ways in which they resist. On a more practical level, the act of speaking to the land is powerful because it highlights the central fight in this realm, which is getting back the land. For indigenous communities, the relationship to the land is one that is important, so this act of telling it all of your hopes and traumas goes back to the roots and honours the integrity of the land while accomplishing a silent protest that allows healing.