Protecting Oak Flat: Narratives Of Survivance As Observed Through Digital Activism

Abstract

American Indians are increasingly using social media/social network platforms as a tool to influence policy through social change. The activist group Apache Stronghold represents a case of American Indians utilising social media tools to protect Oak Flat and influence federal Indian policy. Oak Flat is sacred Apache land located in Superior, Arizona. United States legislators transferred Oak Flat to the mining company Resolution Copper as part of the omnibus National Defense Authorization Act of 2015. Qualitative analysis of social media content and advocacy tactics -specifically through use of timeline and digital ethnographyof Apache Stronghold from 2015-2016 reveal the interrelated nature of on-the-ground efforts, online efforts, solidarity efforts, and legislative support efforts. In sum, these efforts express narratives of survivance, healing, and a future orientation, as a unique dimension of social change.

Digital diaspora, reinvigorating Indigenous identity and online activism: social media and the reorientation of Rotuman identity

“…This trend tends to echo Ginsburg’s (1997, 2008) claims that social media has generated opportunities to engage in what she terms ‘cultural activism’, whereby creators use media as a means of cultural reassertion involving struggles of representation and identity. The case of Rotuman social media use also provides a contrast to the literature that suggests that social movements follow one of three online approaches – collective action, collective action with connective capacity, and connective action (Duarte, 2017; Earl and Kimport, 2011; Parkhurst, 2017). As the majority of Rotumans reside outside of Rotuma, Rotuman online activism has tended to follow multiple approaches.…”

“…Recent literature suggests that social movements online follow one of three approaches – collective action, collective action with connective capacity, and connective action (Earl and Kimport, 2011; Parkhurst, 2017). Collective action movements are largely organised offline and may use digital tactics to support offline tactics, such as collecting signatures for petitions.…”