04/22/2026
On April 14, Janene Yazzie presented “Authoritarianism and Indigenous Resistance: Climate Change, Militarism, and the Rise of Artificial Intelligence,” as part of our .
The talk examined settler colonialism, the policing and surveillance of Indigenous movements, and the connections between climate change, militarism, and emerging technologies. It invited the audience to reflect on ongoing threats to Indigenous sovereignty and the importance of decolonization and resistance. You can watch, rewatch, or share the lecture here: https://bit.ly/YazzieRecording
If you are curious about Janene Yazzie’s work and related resources, we suggest exploring the following resources:
“Self-Determined: Solidarity in Sovereignty” by Janene Yazzie (YES! Magazine, May 2025). Piece on Indigenous governance, self-determination, and resistance to ongoing colonial and authoritarian threats. https://bit.ly/4cBVWjZ
Indigenous Environmental Network - Just Transition Principles. Principles developed by the Indigenous Environmental Network to guide a decolonized just transition that protects Indigenous sovereignty, land, and ways of life. https://bit.ly/4czC8Oa
“When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance” by Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel with Sean Carleton. Book on Indigenous resistance to land theft, focusing on the 1990 Oka Crisis and Haudenosaunee defense of territory. https://bit.ly/PineNeedlesFall
“Indigenous peoples push back as data centers expand across North America.” An article about how Indigenous communities are resisting the expansion of AI-driven data centers due to concerns over land use and the continuation of extractive development practices. https://bit.ly/3QlGtNy
“Progress or Digital Colonization? AI Data Centers Spark Debate on Native Lands.” A piece examining differing views within Indigenous communities on AI data centers, focusing on development, sovereignty, and control over digital resources. https://bit.ly/4cxcJVe
Native American and Indigenous Studies Program at UMass Boston: https://bit.ly/42i7Pqj
Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) is a rapidly expanding, multidisciplinary academic field. The minor in NAIS at UMass Boston offers students an opportunity to engage in the academic theories and practical applications of the subject.
