Glen Coulthard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Glen Coulthard
Coulthard in 2013
Born	Glen Sean Coulthard 1974 (age 50–51)
Nationality	Canadian
Alma mater	University of Victoria
Notable work	Red Skin, White Masks (2014)
Scientific career
Thesis	Subjects of Empire? (2009)
Doctoral advisor	James Tully
Other academic advisors	Taiaiake Alfred
Influences	Frantz Fanon

Glen Sean Coulthard (born in 1974) is a Canadian professor who studies Indigenous peoples. He teaches political science at the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

Glen Coulthard also helped start and teaches at Dechinta: Centre for Research and Learning. This is a special school that focuses on learning from the land and Indigenous ways of knowing. He is most famous for his book, Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition, which came out in 2014.

Education and Early Work

Glen Coulthard studied at the University of Victoria. He earned two important degrees there. First, he got his Master of Arts in Indigenous governance. This program focuses on how Indigenous communities govern themselves.

Later, he earned his doctorate degree in philosophy from the Political Science Department. His doctorate paper looked at how Indigenous peoples are treated in Canada. It was called Subjects of Empire? Indigenous Peoples and the "Politics of Recognition" in Canada. A part of this paper was published as an article and won an award.

Key Ideas and Contributions

After finishing his studies in 2009, Glen Coulthard helped create Dechinta. This learning center started its programs in 2010. He teaches there part-time, sharing his knowledge with students.

Red Skin, White Masks Book

In 2014, Glen Coulthard released his first book, Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. This book became very important in the field of Indigenous studies. It won several awards for its ideas.

The book's title is a nod to Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon. Fanon was a writer who explored how colonialism affects people. Coulthard's book builds on these ideas.

In his book, Coulthard argues that simply "recognizing" Indigenous rights by the government is not enough. He believes that this kind of recognition can sometimes keep colonial power in place. He suggests that true freedom for Indigenous peoples comes from their own ways of life and self-determination.

Grounded Normativity

A key idea in his book is "grounded normativity." This term means that there are ethical ways of living and knowing that come from being connected to the land and specific places. It's about learning from the traditions and practices of Indigenous communities.

Coulthard's book also looks at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. He suggests that this commission, while important, might not fully address the ongoing challenges of colonialism. He believes that colonialism is not just a past event but something that continues to affect Indigenous peoples today.

Speaking Out for Rights

Glen Coulthard often speaks out about important issues. He has given talks at many universities and conferences. He shares his views on Indigenous politics and the effects of colonialism.

For example, in 2020, he spoke about the blockades of Canadian rail lines. These protests were in support of the Wetʼsuwetʼen people. He explained that Indigenous peoples are often unfairly blamed for standing up for their rights. He believes they are trying to protect their homelands from the effects of colonization.

He also supported immigrant detainees who went on hunger strike during the COVID-19 crisis. He called for their release to keep them safe.

Published Works

Books

• Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2014).
  • This book won the Caribbean Philosophical Association's Frantz Fanon Award in 2016.
  • It also received the Canadian Political Science Association's C.B. Macpherson Award in 2014/15 for the best book in political theory.