Culture Shock

Land: Grounding our Struggles

Culture Shock 2025 will take place from October 21-30!

This year’s Culture Shock will explore the theme of Land in relation to liberation, decolonization, and environmental justice. Land is at the core of our struggles – from resource extraction and the climate crisis, to housing and homelessness, to borders and imperialism. The Land provides water, energy, food, and life. It roots the resistance of Land defenders blocking forestry in Nehirowisiw Aski just as it moves the resistance of Palestinian children throwing rocks at the Zionist occupation. From migrants navigating an imperial border imposed upon Land to unhoused community members criminalized for occupying Land, this year’s Culture Shock challenges us to reject that Land is an object of capitalist possession, and recenter it as the root of our struggle.

Culture Shock is an annual event series on anti-racism, migrant justice, and Indigenous solidarity. It seeks to bring together racialized communities to discuss issues relevant to their lives, as well as to allow those who do not belong to these communities to learn more about struggles against racism, colonialism and border violence. Every year, QPIRG brings panels, workshops, film screenings, performance nights and fundraiser parties to McGill students and broader Montreal communities.

These events take place on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka people. The island called “Montreal” is known as Tiotia:ke in the language of the Kanien’kehá:ka, and it has historically been a meeting place for other Indigenous nations, including the Algonquin people. We believe that it’s not enough just to acknowledge the keepers of this land. We encourage everyone to learn about and actively resist colonialism in the many forms these ongoing oppressions take, and in the diversity of forms that resistance embodies.

All events are free or pay-what-you-can, and open to the public. Further accessibility details are available on the accessibility page.

Accessibility

This section is intended to provide basic information about accessibility measures for Spring into Action. If you have any additional accessibility needs or specific questions about these measures, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• All events are free and open to the public
• Information on wheelchair access and the locations of the nearest wheelchair accessible bathrooms are specified for each event.
• Whisper translation between English and French will be available for all events with 72 hours notice, please email info@qpirgmcgill.org to request.
• We will do our best to provide alternate lighting to avoid strong, fluorescent lighting overhead. There will be no intentional flashing lights at events.
• If you have any particular needs around lighting, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email at info@qpirgmcgill.org, or find QPIRG staff and volunteers at events!
• Masks and social distancing are strongly recommended for all of our in-person events. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided at the door.