Kaitlin Reed and "Settler Cannabis"

Native Circles

In this episode, Dr. Davina Two Bears and Dr. Farina King are joined by Dr. Kaitlin Reed (Yurok/Hupa/Oneida) to discuss her groundbreaking first book, Settler Cannabis: From Gold Rush to Green Rush in Indigenous Northern California, published in 2023 by the University of Washington Press.
Dr. Reed is an Associate Professor of Native American Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she serves as the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Faculty Fellow and Co-Director of the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab & Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute. They talk with Dr. Reed about the histories of resource extraction and settler colonialism in California and examine the far-reaching impacts of the cannabis industry on Native Nations in northern California.
In addition to unpacking the themes of Settler Cannabis, this episode offers an introduction to Dr. Reed’s academic journey and her work in advancing food sovereignty and Indigenous ecological knowledge. This discussion features the intersections of environmental justice, sovereignty, and colonial legacies.
Recommended Resources:
Dr. Kaitlin Reed, Native American Studies, Cal Poly Humboldt webpage
Order Settler Cannabis: From Gold Rush to Green Rush in Indigenous Northern California (University of Washington Press, 2023)
Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute website
Dr. Kaitlin Reed presents on "From Gold Rush to Green Rush: Settler Colonialism & Natural Resources in Northern California" video recording (posted November 2023)
"Cal Poly Humboldt faculty member Kaitlin Reed wins 2024 award," the Labriola Center American Indian National Book Award