That's What [We] Said

Dear Reader 

Thank you for picking up this copy in a world full of chaos. 

During the time of releasing this journal, we need resistance more than ever. There are numerous conflicts such as the ongoing genocides in Palestine, Ukraine, Turtle Island, and other places around the world. Feminist and queer activism faces increasingly relentless attacks–from the erosion of reproductive and abortion rights to the intensification of state surveillance; from the suppression of trans identities to the elimination of diversity initiatives–we turn to scholarship and lived experiences to guide us.

Hence, we ask you to join us in solidarity and exercise resistance. Resistance is more than an act; it is a practice, a process, and a necessity. It is the refusal to accept injustice as inevitable, the insistence on making space where none is given, and the collective demand for a world that prioritizes care, equity and liberation. Our seventh edition of That’s What [We] Said explores resistance in its many forms–visible and hidden, historical and contemporary, personal and collective. 

The contributions in this edition remind us that resistance does not always take the shape of grand protests or loud declarations. Sometimes, it is found in the quiet refusal to conform, in the radical act of rest, in the reclamation of stories long erased, or in the small everyday choices that disrupt dominant narratives. Resistance is deeply embodied, shaped by intersecting identities, and informed by histories of struggle. As we navigate a world where systems of oppression persist, so too must our methods of pushing back, and of envisioning and enacting alternatives that facilitate the participation of all positionalities. The pieces in this issue refuse despair, offering instead critical analysis, creative expression, and strategies for collective survival and transformation. 

As you read, we invite you to reflect on what resistance means to you, how it manifests in your own life, and how we can continue to sustain movements for justice. Resistance is not just about defiance–it is also about hope, connection, and the insistence that another world is possible. 

In solidarity,

TWWS Team 

Land Acknowledgment 

Way’ 

Before we begin to engage with the powerful submissions included in this journal, That’s What [We] Said wants to acknowledge that our seventh edition, Resistance, was created, edited and produced on the traditional, ancestral and currently occupied unceded land of the Syilx Peoples. As a journal, we recognize that we are settlers within Syilx territory and we are beyond grateful to live, work and play on this land that profoundly sustains us. We remind not only ourselves, but our readers, that the Syilx Peoples are the rightful stewards of this land, who have been living, honoring and caring for it since time immemorial. 

As settlers, guests, and visitors, we understand that this land acknowledgment does not absolve us of our work in tangibly decolonizing ourselves and our community. This means not only decolonizing our minds but also returning land to the governance of its rightful stewards. We encourage our readers to learn from and alongside the Syilx Peoples through the many resources provided by them. Together, through resistance and collective action, we can work towards building a community that restores the rightful place of the Syilx Peoples.

Our occupation on Syilx land has come as a result of systematic efforts by the Canadian government to eradicate and colonize the minds, bodies and spirits of Indigenous Peoples living on Turtle Island. This occurred most notably through the residential school system with the last school having closed in 1996, discriminatory policies emboldened through the Indian Act, the Sixties Scoop, and disproportionate birth alerts separating Indigenous children from their families and cultures. As a result of these targeted, genocidal efforts to conquer Turtle Island and its rightful stewards, we are living with the continued impacts of ongoing colonial violence. Today, colonialism continues to impact Indigenous Peoples in the form of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit individuals (MMIWG2S+), the uncovering of mass graves at residential schools, lack of healthcare, clean water and affordable food access on reserves, and continued racism. 

There is much work to do, and much we must continue to resist. Our land acknowledgement is just one step towards unravelling the web of colonial structures which continue to inflict violence upon Indigenous Communities on Turtle Island. 

Limləmt

A note on citation styles - Our journal embraces a dynamic approach to citations, diverging from rigid adherence to a single citation style or strict formal guidelines. This deliberate deviation is rooted in our commitment to fostering accessibility and promoting artistic expression. By allowing flexibility in citation practices, we aim to create a welcoming platform that encourages diverse voices and facilitates a more engaging and inclusive reading experience, while still honouring where our knowledge comes from and its interconnected uses within our submissions.