Indigenous Peoples Rise Up: The Global Ascendency of Social Media Activism

Social media has had a significant impact on the growth of Indigenous communities and social movements, enabling them to mobilize across borders and stand in solidarity with one another. It has also served as a platform for fostering health, well-being, and resilience, recognizing Indigenous strength and talent, and sustaining and transforming cultural practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 270 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

The Global Ascendency of Social Media Activism: Empowering Indigenous Peoples illustrates the profound impact of social media in reshaping the nature of Indigenous communities and social movements. By transcending geographical boundaries, temporal limitations, and national borders, social media has facilitated the mobilization of Indigenous peoples, enabling them to forge alliances and stand in solidarity with one another on a global scale. These movements have achieved significant success and gained momentum precisely due to the strategic utilization of social media platforms.

In particular, Twitter and Facebook have emerged as powerful tools for promoting health, well-being, and resilience among Indigenous communities. These platforms have served as a means to recognize and celebrate Indigenous strength and talent, while also sustaining and transforming cultural practices when physical distances separate members of the same community.

The book, Indigenous Peoples Rise Up: The Global Ascendency of Social Media Activism, brings together a diverse range of international Indigenous voices from the United States, Canada, Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Africa. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon insights from Indigenous studies, media studies, and social justice studies. By providing examples such as Idle No More in Canada, Australian Recognise!, and social media campaigns aimed at preserving Maori language, the book emerges as one of the pioneering studies exploring the use and activism of Indigenous social media.

Through its comprehensive analysis, the book sheds light on the ways in which social media has empowered Indigenous peoples to reclaim their voices, challenge oppressive systems, and advocate for their rights and dignity. It highlights the transformative power of technology in amplifying the visibility and impact of Indigenous social movements, enabling them to reach a broader audience and mobilize support for their causes.

Moreover, the book underscores the importance of intersectionality in understanding the dynamics of Indigenous social media activism. It recognizes that social media is not a standalone tool but rather a complex ecosystem that intersects with other forms of activism, such as land rights movements, environmental justice, and human rights advocacy. By examining the ways in which social media intersects with these broader movements, the book offers valuable insights into the strategies and tactics employed by Indigenous activists to achieve their goals.

In conclusion, The Global Ascendency of Social Media Activism: Empowering Indigenous Peoples serves as a crucial contribution to the field of social media studies and activism. By highlighting the impact of social media on Indigenous communities and social movements, the book provides a valuable roadmap for understanding the potential of technology to promote social change and empower marginalized groups. As social media continues to evolve and shape our global society, it is essential to continue exploring the ways in which it can be used to advance the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples and other marginalized communities.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 154 x 228 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978808775