The Importance of Cultural Value in Moon of the Crusted Snow In the world where individualism and self-interest often take centre stage, power and resilience originally founded through communal values are forgotten. The novel Moon of the Crusted Snow, by Waubgeshig Rice explores the cooperation of an Anishinaabe community in northern Ontario during the chaos as they experience power outage and increasing violence and crime. The novel highlights that collaboration and shared values among the community members are necessary for overcoming significant challenges and establishing a reliable bond within the community. Specifically, a community's selflessness, rooted in their traditional and cultural values, allows them to work together in order …show more content…
As a respected member of the community, her leadership inspires trust and confidence in others, making her an instrumental figure in guiding the Anishinaabe through difficult times. In chapter 22, through the conversation between Aileen and Evan, her leadership is exemplified. When Aileen says “Our world isn’t ending. It already ended. It ended when the Zhaagnaash came into our original home down south on that bay and took it from us. That was our world. When the Zhaagnaash cut down all the trees and fished all the fish and forced us out of there, that’s when our world ended. They made us come all the way up here,”(Rice 149) she not only provides Evan comfort and hope but also inspires his confidence by assuring him that Her and her generations have overcome similar challenges in the past. This demonstrates the effectiveness of her leadership approach and its positive impact on Evan. Additionally, the value of leadership is also emphasized in the beginning of the novel through the type of a conflict between person vs self. The quote, “There’s something seriously fucked up going on out there. Why haven’t we heard from anyone? Why is the power still off? If we run out of that diesel, all the water lines are gonna freeze. Then it’s gonna be fuckin’ chaos here.’ Terry slammed his fist against the desk. ‘Fuck!”(Rice 66) reveals Terry Meegis, who is a leader of the band office, struggles with his own feelings of frustration and anxiety about the situation he is in. These feelings can be related to his own perception of his leadership abilities. He may be questioning whether he is doing enough to ensure the community's survival and whether he has the necessary skills to lead them through this crisis. If the leader continues to exhibit a lack of control and inability to effectively guide
It was a time when people’s lives were at risk because families were scared they could not hunt ducks for food, a time when the Iñupiaq people came together as one to fight the law, and a time when taking pride in your culture could overpower the United States government. If it was not for the leadership skills the community and individuals portrayed, the Iñupiaq people’s way of life would be completely different due to the fact that the language, subsistence, and the way of living would diminish away or we would have to live accordingly to the urban way of
A psychological analysis of Evan Whitesky from “Moon of the Crusted Snow.” The human condition is a fascinating idea reflecting the struggle between light and darkness within humans. It can be explored through literary lenses to better understand why humans behave as they do. The theories of one of the most celebrated psychologists, Sigmund Freud, help examine the human psyche and its complexities.
As they confront the crisis that threatens their survival, they must also reckon with the deep-seated racism and distrust that has long characterized the relationship between Indigenous communities and the Canadian government. This is evident in the community's reluctance to accept outside help and their suspicion of the motives of non-Indigenous people who come to their aid. Through their shared exploration of the impact of systemic racism and discrimination on Indigenous communities, both works underscore the need for ongoing efforts to address past and present injustices. They also highlight the resilience and strength of Indigenous peoples in the face of adversity, and the importance of community, connection to the land, and cultural identity in healing and rebuilding. Ultimately, both "Moon of the Crusted Snow" and "One Native Life" offer powerful and insightful perspectives on the experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada and the ongoing work towards justice and
The myths and legends that Momaday recounts serve as a reminder of the Kiowa tribe's history and cultural heritage, helping to preserve these important elements for future generations. These stories are woven into the fabric of Kiowa society, providing a sense of identity and connection to the community. The myths and legends in the book offer insight into the spiritual beliefs and values of the Kiowa tribe. They provide a framework for understanding the world and one's place in it, shaping the beliefs and values of the Kiowa people and guiding their behavior. Through the retelling of these myths, Momaday is able to illustrate the deep spiritual connections that define the lives of the Kiowa
Taylor Walton Ms. Krishna NBE3U1 - 04 17 April 2023 Unity in Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow: A Communities Importance to Survival Having a sense of community is a powerful asset to life. The strength and unity of an environment can act as the difference between life and death. In Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice, a small Anishabee community living on a reservation outside the city battles a harsh winter causing a power outage that transforms their way of life. The community experiences various losses and becomes exposed to non-Anishnabeg newcomers; this forces them to adapt to multiple changes and obstacles in their way, by working together and staying true to their culture. Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
In the movie the Flight of the Phoenix after captain Towns locates James and tries to persuade to return to camp they become involved in a conversation about whether or not to build the airplane. James informs Captain Towns that a man needs at least one of three fundamental human needs to be fulfilled in order to survive which is something to love, something to hope for, and something to do. Captain Towns realizes that in order for him to be an effective leader he needed to fulfill one of these there basic needs as well as persuade Jeremy to return to camp. For each of the basic needs that need to be met there are leadership theories that help explain how a leader may effectively meet these needs.
(Rice 151). As a result of sharing a close relationship with the chief Evan’s has significant jobs. More naturally, Evan’s leadership comes from the need to protect his family. Evan’s leadership style supports the character Rice established. Evan does not engage with the government and political side of leading.
"Evan quickly realized that the power outage was not going to be a short-term problem and began to make long-term plans for the community's survival" (Rice 40). This quote illustrates Evan's ability to quickly assess the situation and make necessary adjustments to ensure the community's survival. It also showcases Evan's foresight and ability to think strategically, a crucial aspect of resilience. Another way Evan demonstrates resilience is through his ability to stay optimistic, despite difficult circumstances. "Evan always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude, which helped lift the spirits of the community during the difficult times" (Rice 60).
Tasman Graham Ms. Wong NBE3U May 15th 2023 The Crucial Role of Family and Familial Relationships in Shaping Identity In the novel “Moon of the Crusted Snow” Waubgeshig Rice depicts family and familial relationships as essential components in the formation of the Anishinaabe people’s identity during a time of crisis. It highlights the significance of intergenerational knowledge, cultural and traditions, and community and support in shaping individual and collective Identities. While reading, an unexpected and severe storm isolates an indigenous village in Northern Ontario cutting off their access to the outside world.
It is apparent that Niska realizes she has the ability to overcome the wemistikoshiw and their assimilation. Nonetheless, Niska’s ability to preserve her spirituality is crucial in allowing herself to remain resolute to her values and beliefs. As identified by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, spirituality provides “a lens through which to make sense of one’s suffering, as well as the strength to overcome its destructive power, these beliefs foster a sense of peace in individuals arising from their feelings of connectedness with a force more powerful than themselves” (Stout 50). Consequently, Niska’s resilience to assimilation arises also from her relationship with her native spirituality; “I thank Gitchi Manitou for Nephew’s return. I sit and breathe the steam, open myself to the manitous” (Boyden 347).
The presence of strangers seeking refuge adds another layer of complexity to the situation, making their resilience and traditional way of life more difficult. The infiltration of the Anishinaabe community by a person like Justin Scott is a metaphor for the colonization experienced by indigenous peoples throughout history to this day. It symbolizes the invasion of their land and culture. The presence of outsiders helps us understand the Anishinaabe people's struggle to maintain their cultural identity and practices while dealing with external
Thawing The Spirit Exploring the Depths of Moon of the Crusted Snow Moon of the Crusted Snow, written by Waubgeshig Rice, is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that delves into the lives of a remote Indigenous community faced with an unforeseen crisis. Set against the backdrop of a harsh Canadian winter, the story explores themes of survival, community, and the resilience of the human spirit. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the novel. Through an examination of the novel's character development, narrative structure, and cultural representation, we will uncover the profound impact of Moon of the Crusted Snow.
The role of leading is never easy and every decision made is prone to
Nanabush, in his many forms, taught me the various ways Indigenous culture and spirituality can offer support in times of
For example, if the tasks are complex or the subordinates are not able to comprehend their task by themselves, the leader supposed to be more directive leadership to help followers by clarifying the path to the goal, making it less ambiguous. To be an effective leader, I have to behave different in different situations, sometime directive, sometime