Indigenous Futurisms with Grace Dillon

Grace L. Dillon is an American academic and author. She is a professor in the Indigenous Nations Studies Program, in the School of Gender, Race, and Nations, at Portland State University. She received her PhD in literary studies with an emphasis in sixteenth-century literature, and her recent research regards Science fiction studies, especially the use of science fiction by indigenous peoples around the world. Similar to the concept of Afrofuturism, Dillon is best known for coining the term Indigenous Futurisms, which is a movement consisting of art, literature and other forms of media which express Indigenous perspectives of the past, present and future in the context of science fiction and related sub-genres. Dillon is the editor of Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction, which is the first anthology of Indigenous science fiction short stories, published by the University of Arizona Press in 2012. Previously, Dillon has edited Hive of Dreams: Contemporary Science Fiction from the Pacific Northwest, which was published in 2003 by Oregon State University Press. This is an anthology of science fiction from writers living in the Pacific Northwest, and features works from authors such as Greg Bear, Octavia Butler, and Molly Gloss. She also coedited The Routledge Handbook of CoFuturisms with Taryne Jade Taylor, Isiah Lavender III, and Bodhisattva Chattopadhyay. Here, we discuss with Grace her origins into science fiction and the mentorships she received from the distinguished feminist science fiction writer, Ursula K. LaGuin. We define the concept of Indigenous Futurisms and its origins, taking time to understand the representation of the future and of tradition and what indigenous scientists have taught us about environmental sustainability. She also discusses the genre in other media, including film, television, and graphic novels, all of which are experiencing the growth of native contributions in recent years.Here are some of the references from this episode, for those who want to dig a little deeper:In the article that inspired the episode, friend of the podcast Jeff Yang wrote about indigenous responses to James Cameron’s Avatar:Opinion: The awkward truth about the new ‘Avatar’ is far bigger than its bottom line | CNNGrace Dillon BooksWalking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigeneous Science FictionThe Routledge Handbook on Co-FuturismsHer Mentor:Ursula K. LaGuinThe DispossessedFuturisms and other Science Fiction Subgenres:Indigenous FuturismsAfrofuturismAfrican FuturismsGulf FuturismsIsraeli FuturismsAsian FuturismLatinx FuturismNative Time SlipsAlternate HistoriesSplatterpunkSlipstreamRoots of Afrofuturism:Mark Dery; Flame WarsSamuel R. DelaneyTricia RoseAlondra NelsonNnedi OkoraforIndigenous cultures and policies:UNDRIPTwo SpiritLost generationsMi’kmaq LanguageCrystal Echo HawkNative Science and Scientists:Gregory CajeteHigh context vs low context scienceRobin Wall Kimmerer; Braiding SweetgrassGlobal WeirdnessSpiral to the StarsKyle WhyteIndigenous MobilitiesAnthropoceneLiterary Works (including Graphic Novels):Moon of the Crusted SnowLouise Erdich; Future Home of the Living GodClaire G. Colman; Terra NulliusSherman AlexieMoonshot: The Indigenous Comics CollectionFilm and Television:Reservation DogsMolly of DenaliTaika WaititiNight RaidersJeff BarnabyFile Under MiscellaneousResident Alien;  “Radio Harry”Helen Haig BrownThe CaveWayne Blair; ClevermanAlien races on Star TrekRichard DreyfussFurther Resources suggested by Grace Dillon:Indigenous Community: Rekindling the Teachings of the Seventh Fire by Gregory Cajete (2015)Sandtalk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World by Tyson Yunkaporta (2020)Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science by Jessica Hernandez (2022)We Rise: The Earth Guardians Guide to Building a Movement that Restores the Planet by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (2017)Welp: Climate Change and Arctic Identities by Michaela Stith (2021)Daniel H. Wilson – Robopocalypse; RobogenesisRebecca RoanhorseAntlers – Directed by Scott Cooper (2021)Check out these previous episodes:Episode 73: Increasing Visibility is Existential for Native Communities, with Crystal Echo HawkEpisode 83: Indigenous Voices for Environmental Justice with Candis Callison & Julian Brave NoiseCat ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Share your thoughts via Twitter with Henry, Colin and the How Do You Like It So Far? account! You can also email us at [email protected]:“In Time” by Dylan Emmett and “Spaceship” by Lesion X.In Time (Instrumental) by Dylan Emmet  https://soundcloud.com/dylanemmetSpaceship by Lesion X https://soundcloud.com/lesionxbeatsCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/in-time-instrumentalFree Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/lesion-x-spaceshipMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/AzYoVrMLa1Q––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––