77. ‘The Second Colonization’: The Impact of Gender Identity on Māori People │ Michelle Uriarau

Whose Body Is It

Today we continue the conversation around the dovetailing of gender identity and colonization of indigenous populations with New Zealand Maori activist and organizer Michelle Uriarau. Michelle is the co-founder of Women's Action Group Southwest Victoria and Mana Wāhine Kōrero and began her activist work with refugees in Australia. Michelle was radicalized on the issue of synthetic sex because of its potentially genocidal impact on Maori populations. “Indigeneity brings a unique perspective from other women,” she says, “we see gender identity as a second colonization and we are not even sure we will survive it.” Through colonization Michelle notes, "language is removed by force, you speak, read, think, dream in your language. Everything that makes you you is expressed through language, so when it’s removed, can you imagine what that does to you? It leaves you like an empty vessel.’ In this empty vessel, post-modern, western, European, and academic paradigms can be imposed.

Michelle sees a real and present danger to the Maori people, who already experience higher rates of suicide, incarceration, and now with the imposition of gender ideology, sterilization and extermination of future generations. We discuss the organizing strategy and tactics of feminist activists in Australia and New Zealand and break down the violence and media spin following Kellie Jay Keen's Let Women Speak Auckland event in March.

Watch Michelle's Speech at the #LetWomenSpeak event in Melbourne on March 18, 2023

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Read Michelle's Writing

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Listen to Di Landy's interview about the violence at #LetWomenSpeak Auckland, NZ

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