Silencing indigenous pasts: critical Indigenous theory and the history of psychedelics

Critical Indigenous theory can help white historians combat colonial assumptions in psychedelic history. Histories of LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline often center on white male researchers and leaders, exoticizing or misinterpreting Indigenous relationships with these substances. The author examines their own past and current writing to show how these theoretical perspectives can reframe characterizations of Indigenous communities. The argument suggests that applying Critical Indigenous approaches can address academic inequity in the field.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In this manuscript, I reflect on how Critical Indigenous theory offers white historians like myself powerful conceptual tools to combat the underlying, historically-rooted colonial assumptions prevalent in their work, specifically within the subfield of psychedelic history. Histories of compounds like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline often center themselves on the experiences of white male researchers, clinicians, politicians, and countercultural leaders. These colonizing narratives exoticize, marginalize, and/or misinterpret Indigenous histories of these substances. While important work is being done to address this academic inequity, Critical Indigenous Theoretical perspectives and approaches could help historians reframe their characterizations of Indigenous communities' relationships with psychedelics. I explore these ideas through a critical examination of my own previous writing and current projects. This section identifies how I intend to carry the lessons of Critical Indigenous Theories forward in my present and future scholarly work.