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fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers
@fellowtravellers.bsky.social
280 followers 22 following 24 posts
We are a Toronto-based collective of anti-imperialist, pro-Indigenous sovereignty, decolonial communists that do mutual aid. DONATE NOW!
https://chuffed.org/project/fellow-travellers-community-fund
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fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers Reader #6
Your Decolonization Will Not Be Instagrammed
2/2
The phenomena of this colonial fear presents itself in many ways throughout the settler-colony, but particularly affects the well-intentioned settler-ally in 3 stages: 1. Action-Paralysis 2. Paternalism 3. The Path of Least Resistance The settler-ally, born of colonialism, too often fails to resolve this burning contradiction, instead offering up paternalistic prescriptions and (consciously and sub-consciously) picking and choosing Indigenous allies who fit most neatly into the very limited colonial imagination. Whether the entry-point for the well-intentioned settler-ally is the result of their first Google search or the first Instagram account they come across, the settler-ally is, at this point, placated, and feels good about having overcome their action-paralysis. Soon, however, the paternalism kicks in, as the settler-ally tries to gain a foothold of control. This can look like anything from trying to organize “on behalf of” Indigenous peoples/Nations/organizations with whom they have little to no relations, to, in extreme cases, pretending to be Indigenous themselves. If/When this is challenged, instead of engaging in self-criticism/learning/reflecting/changing, the settler-ally’s easiest move is to simply find another cause, movement, organization, person, Instagram account, etc. where they won’t be challenged in the same way and which will make them feel better about their refusal to change. On the macro or Nation-wide scale, we have seen many historical and contemporary examples, most clear of which is perhaps the Canadian settler-colony’s implementation of the Band council system imposed in 1876 (Indian Act), in which a bureaucratic Indigenous strata linked to local administration and corporate accommodations has come to hold great power over large Indigenous communities. This is the group that academics generally opt to ally with. It is a contradictory stratum that is simultaneously an emerging comprador bourgeoisie, state functionary, and social activist. But make no mistake about it, this is a mass relationship that is reproduced not only on the macro scale, but very much lives within NGOs, smaller organizations, and individuals, too. The solution, being in real relation, is obvious, but requires honest engagement, a willingness to engage in self-criticism, and checking paternalism at the door. The solution to the FEAR OF KNOWING and of BEING KNOWN, is RELATIONALITY. The solution is to know uncomfortable realities, to know the mistakes that you and others have made, and to know how to move forward in a good way. Our next post will cover some uncomfortable truths, the mistakes and self-criticisms we’ve made, and how we will be moving forward.
October 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers Reader #6
Your Decolonization Will Not Be Instagrammed
1/2
The Revolution will not be televised. Your Decolonization will Not be Instagrammed. “The settler-native relationship is a mass relationship.” ~Fanon inversion~ (from the Concerning Violence chapter of the Farrington translation, Grove Press, 1963, pg. 53) Confronted with an inhospitable world from which they have alienated themselves, the settlers resort to incoherent narratives about the lands on which they reside. First, they tell themselves the land is wild; that it is nobody’s land because nobody owns it. They know land can be owned and they know how to do it, so they set about their project. To do this, they must overpower the resistance that comes from what the settlers seek to colonize: the land and its Indigenous inhabitants. So the settlers consolidate their massive power to seemingly great success; other projects, across the world, even adopt some of their strategies. But the ultimate solution can never be completed, and so the settlers live in constant fear of the resistance. They are haunted by the brutal realities of what they claim as their natural environment; somehow, the sinister truth has a way of creeping in: this place does not seem natural to them at all. There are vast areas of it they don’t even understand, places to which they wouldn’t even fathom of going. Even when they try to live there, the land itself seems to resist! Still, they tell themselves this is their country, all the while knowing that the great showdown cannot be put off indefinitely. The Native is an oppressed person whose permanent dream is to become the persecutor. Unlike the settlers, they know the land, have a relationship with it. The settlers know this because what little they learned about the land came from those who were already living on it. The trading routes of the First Nations became the roads on which the settlers drove their cars; hell, they even kept some of the names of the “wild lands” they claimed. The settlers live with this contradiction; it is rather a kind of curse, a sort of sword of Damocles, for, in their innermost spirit, they know the project to which they pledge their allegiance can never truly succeed. The more they push, the further they seem to get from their goal; and in fact we know that in certain emotional conditions the presence of an obstacle accentuates the tendency toward motion. Like Fanon points out, the settler–Indigenous relationship is a mass relationship which reproduces itself up and down, inside and out, and through all levels of the settler-colony, its population, and all those affected by its constant violence. The well-intentioned settler allies, with this contradiction running through their veins, too often fail to put themselves in real relation to Indigenous peoples, Nations, histories, cultures, and, ultimately, the movement for land back, sovereignty and decolonization. It is clear that the settler-ally is afraid; afraid of speaking out; afraid of saying/doing the wrong thing; afraid of criticism; afraid of giving something of themselves; afraid of not being in control; afraid of the unknown; afraid of knowing, and being known; afraid of contradiction; afraid of relationality; afraid of change. But change, a full transformation, in fact, is exactly what is needed; as Fanon observed first-hand, decolonization means the creation of new human beings.
October 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers is doing a 50/50 fundraiser with Sisters in Solidarity (Toronto) and are giving away 2 TICKETS for Toronto FC vs Inter Miami, featuring many world famous players! First come, first served with a $600 donation and the pair of tickets are yours. Get in touch!
Promotional flyer featuring a soccer player in red shirt and black shorts. The details: Miami vs Toronto at BMO Field (Toronto) Saturday September 27 4:30PM Experience Inter Miami featuring many World Famous soccer players LIVE in Toronto! FUNDRAISER! 2 TICKETS (SEC 217A) $600 Fellow Travellers is raising money to split 50/50 with Sisters in Solidarity at Camp Anjitoon Ispahyaasot! Interested? Email: fellowtravellerstoronto@gmail.com First come, First serve!
September 21, 2025 at 6:44 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers purchased and supplied a solar power generator for Camp Anjitoon Ispahyaasot (Change Rising) which helps the Sisters, allies and accomplices to keep their communication devices charged and everyone connected 📡🔋
A black power generator box sits on a picnic table bench. It has 3 white charge cables connected to small power banks and a phone plugged into it and charging. The screen on the generator indicates it is outputting power and it's current capacity is at 78%.
September 17, 2025 at 2:49 AM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fellow Travellers is working with the Sisters in Solidarity at Camp Anjitoon Ispahyaasot to help them raise money for a solar power generator for the camp. Please send them a few $$ if you can! ☺️💕
Sisters in Solidarity at Camp Anjitoon Ispahyaasot are trying to raise money for a solar power generator for the camp. To support by Etransfer: sistersinsolidarity2019@gmail.com and send them an email with the etransfer answer/password.
August 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Buzz in if you know this one!
December 21, 2024 at 9:04 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Fundraiser for AG encampment residents is TODAY at 4PM! Everything raised goes to our neighbours 💯
Can't attend? Consider donating to Fellow Travellers by etransfer: fellowtravellerstoronto (at) gmail (dot) com or to our GFM:
t.co/2eYmpr6XcV
Fellow Travellers 'fundraiser for Allan Gardens' poster with marigold background and FT raccoon logo (red eyes, ear piercing): Danu Social House (1237 Queen St W) on Oct 15 starting at 4pm
October 15, 2023 at 4:10 PM
fellowtravellers.bsky.social
Toronto friends, well-wishers, comrades! Come down to Danu Social House (1237 Queen St W) on Oct 15 starting at 4pm and say 'hello'; spend a few bucks on a drink or two, buttons, art; donate money; or just hang out✌️
Fellow Travellers fundraiser poster with marigold background and FT raccoon logo (red eyes, ear piercing): Danu Social House (1237 Queen St W) on Oct 15 starting at 4pm
October 4, 2023 at 1:33 AM