Why restoring Indigenous land rights is good for the planet | Lindsey Schneider | TEDxMileHigh

Perhaps you've seen or heard a land acknowledgment before — it’s a brief statement recognizing Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land where others now work, go to school, or shop. But if you admit you've taken something, says Indigenous scholar Lindsey Schneider, shouldn't you give it back? In this surprising talk, Schneider explains why the Land Back Movement is good for us all and shares how tribes like the Wiyot in California and the Niimipuu in Idaho are revitalizing environments damaged by settler colonialism. Dr. Lindsey Schneider is a Turtle Mountain Chippewa descendant who grew up in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by rivers, big trees, and salmon. After getting a Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Riverside, she worked at the University of Idaho, supporting Native American students and building relationships with tribal leaders. Today, she is Assistant Professor of Native American Studies at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on settler colonialism, the environment, and how Indigenous peoples navigate legal and political barriers to sustain their relationships with the land. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx