A Conversation with Matt Remle: Settler Colonialism, Fossil Fuel Divestment, & Public Banking Advocacy

Abstract

This conversation between Terri Friedline and Matt Remle took place in November 2022. The conversation occurred as private banks were increasing their investments in fossil fuels and organizers were calling to establish new, publicly accountable financial institutions that would not underwrite climate devastation. As a Hunkpapa Lakota man and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Matt has actively participated in and led fossil fuel divestment and public banking campaigns. He has also protested militarism, wars, economic sanctions, and toxic waste sites. In addition to recognizing many people’s long-held appreciation for Matt’s perspectives, my intentions in having this conversation were to move the study of financial well-being markedly beyond its common individualized focus and to consider the ways that systems of oppression and domination shape families’ financial lives. Along these lines, we talked about settler colonialism, fossil fuel divestment, and public banking advocacy. Our conversation concludes with a call to build authentic relationships, with humility and genuineness, as a path toward truly dismantling settler colonialism.