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Benjamin Kucher

@truthinthesoil.bsky.social
76 followers 87 following 160 posts

Researcher & writer. Museums, material culture, memory, sovereignty, politics, and occasionally yelling about academia.

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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
We received a federal response on Residential School denialism. It acknowledges harm, but offers no action, no timeline, no commitment to change. Recognition without action is not accountability. We believe Survivors.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
1/ The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs of Treaty 6, 7, and 8 has passed a unanimous vote of non-confidence in the UCP government. I stand firmly with them. This is not symbolic. It is constitutional.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
1/ The University of Alberta is moving to remove explicit Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments from its hiring policy. This is being sold as a return to “merit.” That framing is misleading, and frankly intellectually dishonest.
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Andrea DeKeseredy @andiewinnipeg.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
For too long the University of Alberta has been unduly influenced by right wing ideological bias. I am calling for institutional neutrality! We cannot let them indoctrinate our youth. Universities are places to LEARN.
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Amir Attaran @amirattaran.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I strongly urge faculty, staff, and students at the University of Alberta to bring a human rights challenge at the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Win or lose (probably win) the University and UCP would hate to have their dirty laundry aired in public. So do it.
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Amir Attaran @amirattaran.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Here is the CBC News story by Emily Williams warning of this appalling decision on the University of Alberta's part. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
U of A looks to remove EDI from hiring policy | CBC News
The University of Alberta is proposing to eliminate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) from its hiring policy, a year after the school initially said it was moving away from the term.
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Amir Attaran @amirattaran.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
I've been saddened today to learn that the University of Alberta is going down MAGA road and wants to abolish Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. So I've written to University President Bill Flanagan, warning him of the legal risks. Because the University may need suing.
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
This isn’t enough. To support international law and democracy, we must be able to denounce its imposition on #Venezuela’s citizens by the illegal use of force. We must oppose those who insult the rule of law & condemn those who violate the UN Charter & international laws.
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
For a man who claims he opposes America’s illegal war and subsequent occupation of Iraq, Trump seems remarkably eager to illegally wage war against Venezuela and now “run” it. How did it work out the first time? 🤔 www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
theglobeandmail.com
Trump says U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela after capturing Maduro in military strike
U.S. President says Maduro, who faces charges along with his wife, was seized during an assault on a fortress in Caracas
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
While the urge to get rid of despots by illegal means is both common and, to some extent, understandable, it is also indefensible, for the simple reasons that; 1️⃣ two wrongs never make a right, and 2️⃣ it does not make things better; history shows it makes everyone less safe.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 03/01/2026
Explaining context ≠ excusing violence. Understanding history ≠ staying silent.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
135 years later, Wounded Knee is not just history, it is a wound that still speaks. We remember the lives taken, the futures interrupted, and the violence of a state that feared Indigenous survival. Memory is an act of resistance. Truth is an obligation. Justice is still owed.
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Andrea DeKeseredy @andiewinnipeg.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
The Indigenous Graduate Students’ Association has released a formal statement condemning the ongoing actions by the GSA at the U of Alberta. As a councillor-at-large, I stand in solidarity with them.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Sharing on behalf of the Indigenous Graduate Students Association at the University of Alberta: Statement from the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Association (IGSA) concerning the Graduate Students' Association - University of Alberta December 22, 2025
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Mark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
"Denialism is not an Indigenous problem; confronting it is a Canadian responsibility...Truth & reconciliation cannot survive if the truth is minimized, downplayed or disavowed." Critically important piece by @seancarleton.bsky.social & @truthinthesoil.bsky.social theconversation.com/confronting-...
theconversation.com
Confronting residential schools denialism is an ethical and shared Canadian responsibility
Residential schools denialism is harmful on many levels, and jeopardizes Canada’s ability to work with Indigenous Peoples to create a stronger future.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Earlier this week I joined @aptnnews.bsky.social to discuss residential school denialism and the need for legislative action Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/07MQ...
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Sean Carleton @seancarleton.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Also, what kind of journalist would not disclose that the person he is talking about in this tweet (below)....IS HIS WIFE? Oh, right, the same kind of activist who is promoting a far-right Christian nationalist, IRS denialist conspiracy theory. You goofs are cooked.
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Sean Carleton @seancarleton.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
As @truthinthesoil.bsky.social have argued, confronting this residential school denialism - ways that do not give these people the attention they are hoping to manufacture through free speech stunts like this - is an ethical and shared responsibility: theconversation.com/confronting-...
theconversation.com
Confronting residential schools denialism is an ethical and shared Canadian responsibility
Residential schools denialism is harmful on many levels, and jeopardizes Canada’s ability to work with Indigenous Peoples to create a stronger future.
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Sean Carleton @seancarleton.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
For context, the BC Conservative staffer fired for spreading residential school denialism on Orange Shirt Day has a long and clear history of promoting anti-Indigenous, denialist content. It's no accident; they are following the far-right playbook: provoke, platform, profit🧵
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Wearing orange on September 30th is important. But the work doesn’t end when the shirt comes off. Indigenous Peoples live with the intergenerational impacts of residential schools every single day. Remembrance without action is just performance. Carry the truth with you beyond today.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
On #TruthAndReconciliationDay, we call on Canada to confront Residential School denialism. We believe Survivors. We honour their truth. We will never stop fighting for those who never made it home. Read our letter:
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Greenpeace Canada @greenpeaceca.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
"Residential school denialism is not simply an alternate perspective. It is a form of harm that retraumatizes Survivors, undermines truth and perpetuates colonial ideas that jeopardize Canada’s ability to work with Indigenous Peoples..." – @seancarleton.bsky.social @truthinthesoil.bsky.social
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
The cover is done. The manuscript is almost there. One step closer to publishing The Death of A Curious Mind: A Manifesto for Surviving the Violence of the Academy. This one’s for every voice that’s been silenced in the name of rigor. #AcademicTwitter #AmWriting #DecolonizeAcademia
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UAINE @mahtowin1.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
I was one of many Native people who showed up in 1990 to support the heroic Mohawk resistance in Kahnawake & Kanehsatake. While some have walked on to the spirit world, many of us continue to be committed to defending the Land, the People and the Law. The defense of Native sovereignty cannot rest.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
1/ Today marks 35 years since the start of the siege at Kanehsatake and Kahnawà:ke. what the world came to know as the Oka Crisis. A thread on what happened, why it matters, and why we must never forget. #OkaCrisis #Kanehsatake #Kahnawake #LandBack
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
1/ I’ve been quietly working on something that feels like both a rupture and a homecoming. Another book!
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Johnnie Jae @johnniejae.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
A little history lesson, in 1924 (the year we were granted US citizenship), there were roughly only 250K-300K Natives left in the US out of millions. Not surprising the US gov. and a lot of White folks don't believe they killed enough cuz WE ARE STILL HERE. Our survival is their greatest failure.
Screenshot of Ann Coulter replying to a tweet with "We didn't kill enough Indians"
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
1/ As an Indigenous person and rights advocate, I’ve seen a lot of racism. But Ann Coulter’s post: “We didn’t kill enough Indians” is one of the most vile, dehumanizing things I’ve ever seen online. Let’s be clear: this is genocidal rhetoric. Period.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
1/ As a Canadian watching this from across the border, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of dread watching Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” pass. What’s being hailed as a domestic “win” is actually a global warning siren.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
On July 1st I started sharing pieces from my book: “We Were Never Theirs” and I wanted to catch up on it by posting the past few days here! I’m sharing one piece a day for the entire month of July! If you are interested in reading the full book it’s available online as an e-book!
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
The stages of thesis edits: 1.This is fine. 2.This needs work. 3.This is absolute nonsense. 4.Who wrote this absolute disaster?? 5.Oh right, it’s me. #AcademicTwitter #ThesisWriting
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âpihtawikosisân @apihtawikosisan.bsky.social · 20/06/2025
UGH. Of course. Indigenous folks are being harmed...speak out against that harm...and are labelled a threat. Oh and "xenophobic." cripes.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
A reminder that the weight we carry is heavy, but we carry it together.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
May 27, 2021. The world learned what we had always known—215 children buried at Kamloops. It was the day the silence shattered. The grief poured out. And truth refused to be buried. We carry them still. #215 #EveryChildMatters #IndigenousLivesMatter
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
Heading to Montreal this week to speak at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Users’ Meeting! I’ll be sharing insights from community-based archaeology on how astronomy can build ethical, community-led practices—especially on sacred Indigenous lands like Maunakea. #CFHT2025
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
1/ Last night, the UCP passed Bill 54. Despite widespread opposition from First Nations, the Métis Nation of Alberta, legal experts, and everyday Albertans—Danielle Smith pushed forward her separatist agenda. #abpoli #cdnpoli #Bill54
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Bill 54 is a direct assault on Indigenous sovereignty. It violates our Treaties, disrespects our Nations, and rebrands colonialism as “autonomy.” #Bill54 #StopSeparatism #TreatyRights #IndigenousSovereignty #abpoli #cdnpoli
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
1/ Let’s get this straight: All three Treaty confederations in Alberta—Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8—have now issued official statements condemning Premier Danielle Smith’s separatist rhetoric and Bill 54. This is not just pushback. This is a wall of resistance. #abpoli #cdnpoli
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mizGigiB🇨🇦🪶🧡💛🤍🖤🇵🇪 @gigibu.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
ALBERTANS MUST STAND WITH #INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF #TREATY 6,7,8!! #abpoli #ableg #Alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #reddeer #Banff #jasper #FortMcMurray #MedicineHat #cdnpoli #canada #KINGCHARLES #England #uk #turtleisland #abyayala #indigena
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Janis Irwin @janisirwin.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
We asked Danielle Smith many times today to denounce separatism. She won't. Indigenous leaders are calling her out. Countless Albertans are calling her out. It's time the premier listened to all of you, and not a tiny fringe group of fanatics.
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The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
“This Bill is not only abhorrent and irresponsible - it is a direct affront to the Treaty relationship between our Nation and the Crown.” Onion Lake Cree Nation also condemning Smith’s rewriting of democracy in Alberta! #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
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The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
“Treaty rights are not subject to popular vote, and cannot be reinterpreted or overridden by provincial legislation. We unequivocally reject any legislative mechanism that attempts to do so.” The Blackfoot Confederacy is also condemning Bill 54. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
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The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
“Treaties 6, 7 and 8, must remind Albertans and their leaders that the aforementioned Treaties predate Alberta.” Piikani Nation Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton has also entered the Bill 54 chat. #abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli
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The Breakdown AB @thebreakdownab.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
“Let this serve as your formal notice: your separatist efforts will fail. The strength of our Treaties and the resolve of our People are immovable. We will protect our lands and our rights with fierce determination.” Saddle Lake Cree Nation would like a word with The premier. #abpoli
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Treaty land is not Alberta’s to take. As Indigenous peoples, we are not negotiable, erasable, or silent. We are sovereign. We are organized. And we will not stand by while our rights are threatened.” #IndigenousSovereignty #TreatyRights #StopSeparatism #Bill54 #cdnpoli #abpoli
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Andrea DeKeseredy @andiewinnipeg.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
🧵The Graduate Students’ Association (GSA) at the University of Alberta has distributed a survey to ask for students’ opinions on its proposed 2025-26 budget. The budget has many controversial items, including cuts to the associate vice-president labour, who is responsible for collective bargaining.
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Andrea DeKeseredy @andiewinnipeg.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
The GSA at the University of Alberta is proposing slashing the graduate labour rep salary by $7,000 while increasing the stipends of the other execs, as well as the "travel and advocacy" budget to $30,000. New from @kathrynjohnson.bsky.social at the @thegateway.bsky.social
thegatewayonline.ca
GSA budget proposes $7,000 salary cut for AVP labour - The Gateway
The GSA has proposed a $7,000 pay cut for the VPA Labour position. The position is responsible for leading the GSA union.
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thegateway.bsky.social @thegateway.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Opinion: Failing external advocacy of the GSA: Silence in a time of urgency "The GSA’s total inaction on student voter engagement — despite having every opportunity and resource available — is both telling and unacceptable." buff.ly/Hblf4TE
buff.ly
Failing external advocacy of the GSA: Silence in a time of urgency - The Gateway
Graduate students have the chance to effect real change in this federal election, yet the GSA has done little to encourage students to vote.
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Carrying this message with me as I head down to Calgary today, for the final National Gathering on Unmarked Graves. Every Child Matters — and that truth doesn’t expire when the funding ends. We will keep doing the work, with love, anger, and purpose. #EveryChildMatters #TruthBeforeReconciliation
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Benjamin Kucher @truthinthesoil.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
In a world that grows colder by the day—more corporate, more rigid, more exhausted—Natalie offers something quietly radical: care.
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