Benjamin Kucher
@truthinthesoil.bsky.social
• MA Student at the University of Alberta
•Chair of the Canadian Archaeological Association Indigenous Issues Committee
• President of the IGSA
•Chair of the Canadian Archaeological Association Indigenous Issues Committee
• President of the IGSA
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.
This is being sold as a return to “merit.”
That framing is misleading, and frankly intellectually dishonest.
New emails obtained by CBC through access of information show that before announcing the end of EDI at the University of Alberta, the president sent his announcement to the UCP before publication.
How's that for institutional neutrality?
How's that for institutional neutrality?
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.
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 4:35 PM
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.
This is being sold as a return to “merit.”
That framing is misleading, and frankly intellectually dishonest.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
February 10, 2026 at 4:17 PM
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
Win or lose (probably win) the University and UCP would hate to have their dirty laundry aired in public. So do it.
February 9, 2026 at 7:19 PM
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.
Win or lose (probably win) the University and UCP would hate to have their dirty laundry aired in public. So do it.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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/...
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.
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
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/...
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
So I've written to University President Bill Flanagan, warning him of the legal risks. Because the University may need suing.
February 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
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.
So I've written to University President Bill Flanagan, warning him of the legal risks. Because the University may need suing.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
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.
Please see my statement on the situation in Venezuela:
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
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.
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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...
How did it work out the first time? 🤔
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
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
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
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...
How did it work out the first time? 🤔
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-pol...
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
1️⃣ two wrongs never make a right, and
2️⃣ it does not make things better; history shows it makes everyone less safe.
January 3, 2026 at 8:37 PM
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.
1️⃣ two wrongs never make a right, and
2️⃣ it does not make things better; history shows it makes everyone less safe.
Explaining context ≠ excusing violence.
Understanding history ≠ staying silent.
Understanding history ≠ staying silent.
January 3, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Explaining context ≠ excusing violence.
Understanding history ≠ staying silent.
Understanding history ≠ staying silent.
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.
December 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
As a councillor-at-large, I stand in solidarity with them.
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
Statement from the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Association (IGSA) concerning the Graduate Students' Association - University of Alberta December 22, 2025
December 23, 2025 at 1:01 AM
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.
As a councillor-at-large, I stand in solidarity with them.
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
Statement from the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Association (IGSA) concerning the Graduate Students' Association - University of Alberta December 22, 2025
December 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
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
Statement from the Indigenous Graduate Students’ Association (IGSA) concerning the Graduate Students' Association - University of Alberta December 22, 2025
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
"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-...
Critically important piece by @seancarleton.bsky.social & @truthinthesoil.bsky.social theconversation.com/confronting-...
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.
theconversation.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
"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-...
Critically important piece by @seancarleton.bsky.social & @truthinthesoil.bsky.social theconversation.com/confronting-...
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...
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/07MQ...
October 4, 2025 at 12:15 AM
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...
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/07MQ...
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
October 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
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.
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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-...
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.
theconversation.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
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-...
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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🧵
October 2, 2025 at 2:43 AM
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🧵
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.
Remembrance without action is just performance. Carry the truth with you beyond today.
October 1, 2025 at 5:12 AM
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.
Remembrance without action is just performance. Carry the truth with you beyond today.
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:
We believe Survivors.
We honour their truth.
We will never stop fighting for those who never made it home.
Read our letter:
September 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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:
We believe Survivors.
We honour their truth.
We will never stop fighting for those who never made it home.
Read our letter:
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
"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
September 30, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"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
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
This one’s for every voice that’s been silenced in the name of rigor.
#AcademicTwitter #AmWriting #DecolonizeAcademia
August 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
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
This one’s for every voice that’s been silenced in the name of rigor.
#AcademicTwitter #AmWriting #DecolonizeAcademia
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
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.
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
A thread on what happened, why it matters, and why we must never forget.
#OkaCrisis #Kanehsatake #Kahnawake #LandBack
July 11, 2025 at 11:54 PM
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.
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.
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
A thread on what happened, why it matters, and why we must never forget.
#OkaCrisis #Kanehsatake #Kahnawake #LandBack
July 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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
A thread on what happened, why it matters, and why we must never forget.
#OkaCrisis #Kanehsatake #Kahnawake #LandBack
1/ I’ve been quietly working on something that feels like both a rupture and a homecoming. Another book!
July 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
1/ I’ve been quietly working on something that feels like both a rupture and a homecoming. Another book!
Reposted by Benjamin Kucher
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.
Our survival is their greatest failure.
July 7, 2025 at 3:29 AM
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.
Our survival is their greatest failure.