For decades, Indigenous communities have navigated a complex landscape of cultural preservation, educational equity, and systemic barriers. A growing movement, known as Indigenous futurism, seeks to address these challenges by leveraging technology and reimagining the past to shape a more empowered future. This approach isn’t about escaping history; it’s about reclaiming agency within it.
Why This Matters: Indigenous communities face disproportionate health disparities, systemic biases in education, and the ongoing erasure of their cultures. Indigenous futurism offers a powerful counter-narrative, challenging stereotypes and providing a framework for self-determination in the 21st century.
The Power of Positionality in Indigenous Scholarship
Kelly Berry, a Mellon Impact Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Oklahoma, embodies this movement. His work focuses on the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, education, and technology, particularly within the realm of Indigenous futurism and esports.
Berry stresses the importance of scholars acknowledging their background and lived experience. In academia, sharing one’s positionality (tribal affiliation, educational background, lived experiences) adds credibility, especially when discussing sensitive issues like Indian boarding schools. This practice contrasts sharply with the Western academic tradition of striving for “neutrality,” which Berry argues often obscures power dynamics and reinforces existing inequities.
“If it’s coming from something like an Indian boarding school issue, then I’ve been there and experienced it. Whereas a lot of people talk about it, but they’ve never experienced teaching in a boarding school.” – Kelly Berry
Oral Tradition vs. Western Citation
Indigenous scholarship operates on a distinct epistemological foundation that values oral histories alongside written documentation. While Western academia prioritizes formal citation, Indigenous knowledge keepers often reference oral stories passed down through generations.
Berry explains that citing oral traditions is crucial for cultural integrity, even if it clashes with conventional academic norms. Some non-Native colleagues dismiss oral histories as unreliable, but Berry insists on including them because they are central to Indigenous ways of knowing. This practice reflects a relational accountability that differs from the free-market approach prevalent in Western academia, where permission and acknowledgement of sources are often secondary.
Reclaiming Narratives Through Indigenous Futurism
Indigenous futurism isn’t about predicting the future; it’s about constructing alternative timelines. Berry defines it as a thought experiment: what if first contact with colonizers had never occurred? This concept allows communities to imagine a world where Indigenous sovereignty, culture, and governance systems could thrive without centuries of imposed disruption.
A key application of this framework is in video games. Berry advocates for creating games that prioritize Indigenous voices, dismantle stereotypes, and celebrate cultural authenticity. For example, a lacrosse game centered on the Iroquois Nations, the creators of the sport, would challenge the dominance of mainstream sports titles and reclaim Indigenous intellectual property.
“Why can’t we make a video game…say, this is the history of lacrosse from the Iroquois point of view?” – Kelly Berry
Long-Term Vision for Cultural Preservation
The goal extends beyond mere representation. Berry envisions dismantling harmful stereotypes embedded in popular culture, such as the hypersexualized or savage depictions of Native Americans in video games like Mortal Kombat and Turok.
The long-term impact is profound. By reclaiming narratives through technology, Indigenous futurism aims to empower youth, preserve cultural heritage, and foster self-determination. The movement recognizes that while systemic change takes time, the power of storytelling and digital platforms can accelerate the process.
Conclusion: Indigenous futurism offers a unique blend of historical awareness and technological innovation. By centering Indigenous voices and challenging dominant narratives, this movement aims to build a more equitable future where Indigenous communities thrive on their own terms.
