Nikki Sanchez
on how to Decolonize Together
“hishuk’ish tsawalk”
Everything is one. Everything is interconnected.
These words shifted Nikki Sanchez’s worldview forever. Her elder and mentor, Qaamina Sam, shared this teaching back when she was working as a wilderness guide and environmental educator in the Nuu-chah-nulth territory of Clayoquot Sound. Ever since that moment, Nikki found it impossible to understand contemporary environmental issues without comprehending the colonial worldview that created them: “Decolonization is for everyone. When we are courageous enough to look at our global economy with a critical lens, everything becomes devastatingly clear.”
Storytelling plays a key role in Nikki’s life. Change the story, change the system, goes the saying. Nikki is an academic, TEDx Speaker, Indigenous media maker, and environmental educator wearing multiple hats: board member of the Sierra Club BC & Photographers Without Borders ® and producer of the VICELAND series “RISE”.
Through “Decolonize Together” - her collective Indigenous, Black, POC & Settler womxn and non-binary educators, academics, artists and activists - Nikki teaches and facilitates decolonization and anti-oppression workshops: "There's no shame in your history, but there are instructions about how to create a future that doesn't look like the violence, theft and genocide that we've inherited." The historical context of the story and the diverse perspectives within it are vital ingredients in painting a fair narrative. Nikki believes we all come from somewhere, but a lot of us have forgotten our roots and the teachings of our ancestors:
“Decolonization is global in its essence. Prior to colonization, every Indigenous nation existed without Imperial borders. Every continent of the world has Indigenous people", reflects Nikki. When you start to unpack your personal history, there's a rich story that can teach you about who you are, as well as your points of power and accountability - unpacking that allows you to move forward towards greater equity. A shift in consciousness is highly needed, as privilege is also a crucial factor when covering a story: “When travelling, unpack your privilege around where you're going and what you'll bring to that place. What will you be leaving that place? What will you be taking? Also, do you have permission to take it?"
Read Nikki Sanchez’s answers for Inspirators and reflect on ways you can decolonize your storytelling and spirit by absorbing her wisdom: "We can't meet aggression with aggression. We can't meet resistance with resistance. We have to find our way singularly, and then collectively, into the practice of Kapu Aloha. Tap into a source of love! In moments of adversity, love helps transcend outside a binary of violence or oppression and enter a state of higher being."
Thank you, Nikki, for being a Decolonizing Storyteller!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Nikki Sanchez
Company / Institution: Decolonize Together
Title: Decolonial Educator
Website: decolonizetogether.com
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-sanchez-04249218/
Country of origin: El Salvador
Country you currently live in: Canada
Your definition of Regeneration: One breath at a time, embracing life through its most exquisite glory and devastating grief. Loving our wounds into transcendence. Greeting death with wonder and curiosity. A whole knowing that our existence matters and simultaneously surrendering to the great mystery of creation.
Main business challenge you face: The grinding oppression, scarcity, individualism and competition of late-stage capitalism.
Main driver that keeps you going: Ecology & Biodiversity! We live in a world where aurora borealis, rainbows and phosphorescence are naturally occurring phenomena. The universe is infinitely wondrous!
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: My unconditional love for humanity, profound kindness and the courage I have to stand up for what’s right.
The trait you most value in others: Integrity and the courage to stand up for justice.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: Witnessing the small and silent acts of kindness and grace between strangers that occur all around us every day.
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
My father, Padre Tilo Sanchez, a revolutionary leader for our Indigenous community
My elder and best friend Qaamina Sam of Ahousaht
Singer and activist Lyla June
Water protector Pua Case
Mother of Standing Rock, Ladonna Bravebull Allard
Poet, educator and activist Jess Housty
A starting point for companies or professionals that are beginning the regeneration journey: To know who they are, where they come from, and the privileges and gifts they hold. To identify their core values and ensure their actions are in alignment to actualize them.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: Hearing that when wealthy people choose environmentally conscious actions it's a virtue but when poor folks live sustainably it's simply a consequence of their poverty.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope: The greatest act you can take to heal the world is to start by treating your body, mind and heart with the same reverence, respect and love you hope to see given to Mother Earth.
Books that had a great impact on you / Must-Reads for any regenerative professional:
This is a list that could go on FOREVER!
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
See no Stranger: a Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
Undrowned by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
Seven Days in May; Something Fierce by Carmen Aguirre
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins
Calling My Spirit Back by Elaine Alec
I Hate the Internet by Jarett Kobek
Movies / Documentaries you would watch all over again: Reel Injun, Dance me Outside, Sister Act 2, Get Out, Black Panthers Vanguard of the Revolution, City of God, Mermaids, Bad Luhrman’s Romeo & Juliet, Strictly Ballroom.
Music that makes you (and your heart):
Crossroads - Tracy Chapman; Juicy - Notorious Big; Wayside - Gillian Welch ; Sometimes I Rhyme Slow Sometimes I Rhyme Quick - Nice & Smooth; Killing me Softly - Fugees; Guantanamera - Wyclef Jean; We got Love - Teyana Taylor; Sunshowers - MIA; Buffalo Soldier - Bob Marley; He got Game - Public Enemy ; Malcolm, Garvey, Huey - Dead Prez; All Nations Rise - Lyla June; Tear tracks and Trauma- Kuulei Music; Little Red Corvette - Prince
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Rio de Janeiro. Havana, Cuba. New Orleans, USA.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow:
Valarie Kaur
Jamacia Osorio
Lisa Betty
Nova Stevens
Dr. Melissa Lem
Dr. Ingrid Waldron
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Biomimicry, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, Reparations, Land Back.
Events we should attend / Best places for networking (online or offline): ImaginNative film fest, Sisters Leading Sisters, Gathering of Nations, Unthanksgiving at Alcatraz, Indigenous Peoples Day NYC, Tribal Journeys.
Impactful and relevant Sustainable Development or Regeneration courses or certifications: Decolonial 101 with Decolonize Together! Dechinta Bush School, Trauma of Money.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: We were made for these times. Although the Earth's life-sustaining resources are finite, as human beings we hold infinite potential within our hearts, minds and spirits to heal, ascend, evolve and harness the boundless power of love. It is always darkest before the dawn, and although the challenges that lay in front of us can feel daunting and hopeless, together we have limitless capacity for resilience, innovative solution building and transformation.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: The incommensurate distribution of wealth and power. Half of the world's net wealth belongs to the top 1%. The rapidly increasing disparity between the rich and poor.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Humility, defiance, imagination, cooperation, and a relentless conviction in our power to create the world our hearts earn for.
The Inspirator you are endorsing for a future edition is:
Willo Prince
Lindsay Delaronde
Lystra Sam
The quotes that inspire you:
“You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.” (Mary Oliver)
“Joy is the gift of love. Grief is the price of love. Anger protects that which is loved. And when we think we have reached our limit, wonder is the act that returns us to love!” (Valarie Kaur)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
