Turtle Island, Kintsugi, and Beautiful Land: Why I don't mind continuing to use the word "America"

[u/DepressionDokkebi]

I am an Asian-Cascadian that thinks because the US is currently dismantling itself, the people of Cascadia needs to find its own path among others on the world stage as members of the democratic world.

One thing I saw was the discussion of the name "America" (as in the name of the continents North and South America) and how it should be replaced with "Turtle Island", the way Indigenous Americans called it. I think it is a noble notion, but I want to share why I personally don't use it.

My biggest reason is that I assign a different meaning to the word "America": not as the name of the colonizer it was originally named after, but "美州", 'beautiful land'. I am in full understanding of how the imposition of the name "America" stands for what was essentially a complete shattering of a fine earthenware pottery that was the way of life among those who lived on Turtle Island. However, much like shattered pottery, there is no going back to a previous state, only going forward. That is not to say we have to completely abandon the idea, but that if we repair it, we will only find equilibrium when we repair it into a better state of being than we found it, including the scar of the original shattering. Much like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, in restoration of a previous order, we have to not only restore order in America to a pre-colonial order, but restore it with full consciousness of the scars it wrought. For me, continuing the usage of the word "America", but having it mean "beautiful land" is one of those golden scars of history for this beautiful land of Cascadia and the greater North American continent we live on.

Another reason is that "Turtle Island" is not actually a term native to Cascadia. It's originally a term that was used in the Northeastern Woodlands region, and only spread here through contemporary activism. Although I have to admit I'm not coming from an indigenous perspective, I also can't imagine every indigenous nations of the Americas had the same stories of the earth being on the back of a giant turtle. It certainly marks indigenous identity when used today and I don't want to deny the hard work of pan-American indigenous movements, but the etymology isn't particularly Cascadian, and has the potential of overshadowing local traditional narratives. I personally prefer to not use it because of that. Perhaps someone that is indigenous Cascadian could educate me more on the matter, I would love to hear more.

Anyway, rant over. For me, America is moreso "Beautiful Land" than "Land named after some European rando in the 15th century", and "Turtle Island was originally specific to the Northeast so I would want to double check how local indigenous people feel about it."

[u/russellmzauner]

Cascadia is already known to the world. It was identified long ago and exists in many globally accessible/read publications.

A bioregion is a bioregion. Pretty simple.

Take care of it and continue to live. Not so simple right now, needs improvement.

Domestically, oppressive governments fear the message, envy the unity, and loathe the ecological wealth, which we protect with extreme prejudice, because, where are you going to live?

It's the other bioregions that need to get their identities pushed up into the public perception and get some visibility in the US citizens minds and hearts. They are already flying The Doug as a symbol of resistance but not their own identity; we provide the path to role model but we cannot define your existence for you - get a bioregional flag and put it up! I will pound on that podium FOREVER.

You can't be recognized if you aren't being SEEN.

[u/Redditheist]

"Turtle Island" is not actually a term native to Cascadia. It's originally a term that was used in the Northeastern Woodlands region, and only spread here through contemporary activism.

Thank you! I belonged to an activist group that insisted on calling it Turtle Island, and my Alaska Native guy said it's not very inclusive, as it is not called Turtle Island in most of "America."

That said (and I love your education on the name), "America," like the U.S. flag, the Gadsden flag, and the Punisher symbol, have been co-opted by people whose ideals are conflicting with ALL of them. Now there are negative connotations associated, and as much as I would love to "take them back," I just don't see it happening.

Regardless, I would love more conversations that include indigenous voices/names/culture. I've been a little disappointed the Cascadia movement (whether it be the bioregion folks, or the secede now! folks) hasn't been more inclusive. Sometimes I feel like we're taking what's theirs twice. I would love to hear indigenous voices and let them steer the conversation.

As a side note (and believe me, I know how horrible Canada is/was to the first nations), a lot of signs in BC have the indigenous names and the pronunciation, and it was cool as hell.

[u/xesaie → u/Redditheist]

In general Indigenous activists are more concerned with their own sovereignity than bigger (still white-dominated) governments.

The overlap between the groups is simply quite low.

[u/Redditheist → u/xesaie]

Very true! I would like to see our conversations give them more consideration. I love that OP directly asked for indigenous opinions. I only hope to raise awareness so people organizing think of it as the movement progresses.

[u/MamaBrizi]

Well said. I love the concept of Kintsugi, and apply it to many things - including our own broken, beautiful selves. We will build back better.

[u/RoyalDaDoge]

I always thought that Turtle Island was a collective name for the North American continent by native peoples. It’s interesting to learn that it’s not. Another thing is I feel like it’s very unrealistic to expect everyone to start referring to NA as Turtle Island, considering the sheer number of people in this land.

[u/yohohoinajpgofpr0n → u/RoyalDaDoge]

Thats what white people said.

There was thousands of tribes in North America before white people. And each tribe had its own language, culture and beliefs. Including their own beliefs about where they and the land they live on came from.

There was no pan-Indigenous word for North America. Nor did indigenous peoples call North America Turtle Island "because the continent was shaped like a turtle". A white guy came up with that in the 70s. Some Northeastern tribes did call the land "turtle island", but that had to with their beliefs about the formation of the world and nothing to do with the shape of the continent.

[u/Yvaelle]

Haida creation myth is that the first peoples came out of a clam. So at best the earth is Clam Planet :)

Also, even using the northeastern turtle island story, supposedly, the entire planet was on the back of a turtle, not just a continent. So it doesn't make sense to interpret even that myth as a name for a continent.

[u/theInternetMessiah]

Settlers don’t get to name our continent, so suck it I guess —sincerely, an indigenous “American”