Jana Aburas Paula Moore NBE3U 4/26/ How does the portrayal of Nanabush as a trickster and the depiction of survival in crisis emphasize the adaptability of Indigenous Peoples, while also highlighting the importance of culture and storytelling as a means of navigating the world? In the text Moon Of The Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice, on pages 172-173, he highlights the challenges that the Anishinaabe communities will face and demonstrates the significance of indigenous Mythology and storytelling in Indigenous culture. Through the use of Nanabush as a trickster figure and the portrayal of survival, the novel emphasizes the adaptability of Indigenous people in times of hardship, while also showcasing the importance of culture and storytelling …show more content…
In the story, Nanabush spends too much time eating berries and forgets to hunt and gather resources for the long winter. As a consequence, he was forced to adapt to his situation and use his trickery to scheme a plan in which he will deceive the geese and store them as food for the winter. While cooking a goose he gets too comfortable and decides to take a nap and instructs his diiyosh(bum) to wake him up when the goose is ready. His bum fails to wake him up which causes the goose he was cooking to burn only the legs lasting and all the other geese to vanish. This story foreshadows how the Anishinabe people in the story will have a scarce supply of food/resources and will have to adapt and be resourceful in order to ensure their survival. This connects to the recurring theme in the story, the Theme of Survival in a crisis. The book repeatedly presents the adaptability of indigenous people in crisis throughout history using examples of the residential schools in Canada and the challenges the characters in the book are currently …show more content…
Nanabush is known for using his wit and trickery to solve problems and overcome any challenge that he might face. In the text, Nanabush faces a crisis of scarcity and he uses his skills to create a plan and deceive the geese so that he can secure a supply of food before the beginning of winter. Due to his negligence winter is right around the corner and yet Nanabush still has not gathered any food for the long winter. Due to his recklessness, Nanabush is forced to scheme by tricking the geese into dancing while their eyes are closed, while the geese are dancing Nanabush went around and killed each one of them one by one, cooking one of them up and saves the rest for winter. This last-minute plan that Nanabush succeeds at demonstrates the resourcefulness of indigenous peoples in times of crisis and the importance of using creativity to overcome difficult
Colonialism, a long-standing issue that originated centuries ago, continues to plague Indigenous populations today. One example is in Canada where Indigenous groups have experienced immense suffering as a result of the loss of their cultural heritage and forced assimilation into the mainstream society. Through "Moon of the Crusted Snow," Waubgeshig Rice presents a modern perspective on the history of colonialism, giving readers an insightful understanding of the ongoing trauma caused by oppression and violence in Anishinaabe communities. In Waubgeshig Rice's novel "Moon of the Crusted Snow," the character of Justin Scott serves as a complex and nuanced representation of the ongoing effects of racism on the Anishinaabe community.
The novel addresses the issue of systemic oppression and racism towards Indigenous people in Canada by showing the effects these issues have on Indigenous people today. The Outside Circle best demonstrates the effects of systemic oppression and racism towards Indigenous people through the life of Pete’s mother Bernice. Bernice's childhood, her struggle with addiction and the circumstances of her death prove this. Firstly, what Bernice went through as a child is an extremely important example that supports the fact that The Outside Circle best demonstrates the effects of systemic oppression and racism towards Indigenous people through Bernice.
In Indigenous culture stories are their main method of communication not only between each other, but between generations. Stories were often major components of rituals and tradition and would be orally relayed to share history, customs and important lessons. Evidently, stories and words are something highly respected in Indigenous culture. Boyden reflects this connection in Niska’s frequent use of storytelling and appreciation of communication. When she begins telling Xavier, the story of her childhood, she realizes that being alone so long
The atrocities that the children of residential schools had to endure is not something that can be ignored, just as the lessons these children learned, like shame, humiliation, hate, compassion, and forgiveness cannot be overlooked (Borrows 486-7). Borrows raises an important point, which is that the children of the Residential schools, who survived, grew up to eventually become elders (487). Although there are some who feel Residential schools had positive impacts, the high suicide rates in Indigenous communities cannot be
In Lee Maracles’s interview with Context: Beyond the Headlines, Maracle explains the healing properties of literature and how expression through poetry has helped her advocate for Indigenous people. The medicinal properties of literature are a sacred belief of the Stó:lō peoples. The power of poetry helps relieve the chronic wounding created by the colonizers. Maracle begins by addressing how the movement of colonialism caused irreversible intergenerational trauma among the Indigenous communities. She shames the Canadian government because none of the real people who evoked the damage had ever faced confrontation.
By portraying indigenous characters in a nuanced and realistic manner, he challenges preconceived notions, enabling readers to recognize the inherent humanity we all share. Through his storytelling, he hopes to break down barriers and facilitate a better understanding of indigenous experiences, histories, and perspectives, thereby contributing to Canada's ongoing discussion of reconciliation and healing between indigenous and non-indigenous
He is still satisfied of Linden’s death when he realizes that his mother “[does not] have to look behind her, or fear [Linden] would sneak up on her[; s]he could pick her bush beans all day and nobody [is] going to bother her” (Erdrich 294). He earns the respect of his father and the reservation when they imply that are aware of the actions he takes to protect his family when they know of his crime, yet do not persecute him for it. On the other hand, Nanapush earns the respect of his tribe, as a twelve-year-old, when he provides them with the carcass of the old Buffalo woman that he slaughtered. Furthermore, the respect he earns leads to the building of the Round House. Erdrich writes, in Mooshum’s perspective, “That is how it came about, said Mooshum.
Countless numbers of Native individuals are traumatized and their unhealthy mindset and physical traits are typically passed on. Many of these Indigenous people probably do not even realize the harm that their actions cause to their future family members which is one of the root issues that makes people struggle to end the cycle of abuse. Thus, it is important for one to recognize their negative behaviours toward others. Fred mentioned that residential schools were not their fault, “We’re not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are,” (120) which is absolutely true, however, he also said, “But our healing—that’s up to us,” (120) and this further proves that in order to end the cycle of traumas, one should take the initiative.
Bridging the gap between past and present gives a powerful understanding of what is to come in Aliisa’s life. Dr. English explains to Ittuq and Aliisa that “All survivors of the pandemic must be relocated to regional treatment centres set up around the country. It was communicated that some Inuit went back to the land to escape the infection” (9-10). This relates to the idea of history repeating itself that was expressed earlier. Children were taken away to be re-educated and integrated into a white society through residential schools.
Tracey Lindberg’s novel Birdie is narratively constructed in a contorting and poetic manner yet illustrates the seriousness of violence experience by Indigenous females. The novel is about a young Cree woman Bernice Meetoos (Birdie) recalling her devasting past and visionary journey to places she has lived and the search for home and family. Lindberg captures Bernice’s internal therapeutic journey to recover from childhood traumas of incest, sexual abuse, and social dysfunctions. She also presents Bernice’s self-determination to achieve a standard of good health and well-being. The narrative presents Bernice for the most part lying in bed and reflecting on her dark life in the form of dreams.
The moon landing was one of the most iconic moments in history. Viewers stood on their toes until the very moment that Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, and they stayed there until Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin landed on American soil again. Authors The Times, William Safire, and Ayn Rand speak on the moon landing soon after the mission was accomplished. In the morning after America successfully landed the first aircraft on the moon, The Times published an article about the moon landing.
The indigenous people are literally crashing into the buildings produced by the colonizing culture, “Look out! Bob shouts. There are Indians flying into the skyscrapers and falling on the sidewalk.” (King 63) and it adequately represents the lack of adaptability of the Native Canadians. Thomas King taps again into the effects of colonialism and notions the indigenous people as uneducated and an untamed species.
This parallel timeline demonstrates the connections between past and present disasters as well as the long-lasting effects they have on individuals and communities. The masterful use of literary elements such as vivid imagery, symbolism, and narrative structure demonstrates the devastating effects that trauma has had on the protagonist's identity and the greater Indigenous community. In order to help the reader better understand the terrible repercussions of generational trauma on Saul Indian Horse's identity and the greater Indigenous community, Richard Wagamese skillfully employs the evocative power of images to clearly convey the painful experiences the protagonist, Saul Indian Horse, endures. Saul's terrifying voyage is brought to life for the reader by Wagamese through the expert use of imagery, which also reveals the severe psychological effects of trauma on Saul.
Indigenous Canadians have four times the risk of experiencing severe trauma than other Canadians (“Indigenous People”). The story Indian Horse explores various traumatising circumstances Indigenous people face and examines their effects. In Richard Wagamese’s novel, Saul’s inability to escape the difficulties of his past demonstrates that unprocessed trauma can derail one’s life. Throughout early childhood, his family life exposes him to mental illness and loss. Later, he represses the atrocities of residential school, building inner conflict and self hatred.
Nanabush, in his many forms, taught me the various ways Indigenous culture and spirituality can offer support in times of