Peace lies in tradition; a certain type of peace resides in the first scenes of Moon of the Crusted Snow. In this community one needs not a clock, for the breeze itself will whisper when it is time for supper. Over thousands of years, the Anishinaabe peoples know how to hear these words and listen. Evan knows to head home when “the chill in the air [tells] him that he should move quickly” (5). Still, on the way home he is able to observe the “deep orange glow coating the northern landscape as the sun [begins] to set, highlighting the deep evergreen of the pine and spruce trees that [tower] beyond the ridge” (5). The peace accessed after traditional Anishinaabeg practices is undeniable and frankly enviable. What interferes with this peace is …show more content…
Introduced at the start of chapter 16, Justin Scott is a mysterious outsider who begins and ends with nothing but unease. At the first sighting of Scott’s snowmobile, the first notion of his existence we have, Evan immediately “[feels] butterflies in his gut” (98). Scott goes on to be described as having “a guttural baritone” (100) and generally appearing quite monstrous. As the story continues, Justin grows more and more worthy of such a title. Justin Scott is the personification of colonization and colonialism in Moon of the Crusted Snow. He leeches off the Anishinaabeg's resources and capitalizes on their hospitality by abusing all rights that were graced to him by the community’s elders. A paramount example is Meghan’s testimony of Scott’s treatment. She details that “he orders [them] around. He threatens [them]” (161). Justin has domesticated Meghan’s husband into something akin to “his little lapdog” (161), and Meghan feels she has lost her protection. She visibly looks “malnourished, exhausted, and... traumatized” (161). She looks to be shrinking, while Justin Scott “seems to be getting bigger” (162). However, even with all of this she continues to do his bidding and follow his instructions of checking the snares for food even when Nicole insists she “come back to [her] place for tea and something to eat” (162). The parallels here are vivid. Indigenous peoples invited the …show more content…
In Justin Scott’s death a reclamation takes place. It is realized that “[the] white people who forced them here had never intended for them to survive” (212). Even before moving from their southern designed and southern styled community, the Anishinaabeg left when Justin Scott died. When they killed him; reversing his slaughter and putting an end to his triumph by giving the man who rejected and abused this land down to it. Justin Scott will drift to the depths of that sea and lay with the roots of the Anishinaabe, allowing them to reclaim their former way of life and “destiny” (212). This land is not their homeland, and with all colonial pressure released, they can finally go home. Throughout the novel, an accelerating tread towards home begins, the climax of that path being the death of Justin Scott. The tread to a less metaphysical home also continues, the climax of that being physically leaving the reserve. Abandoning the pain and the pressure and returning to a world of peace in before. Buried beneath the crusted snow, their roots nearly iced. But tap and break through, melt the
People have come and taking over the land to use for their own purpose, they would come in and force the natives to work for them. When he is on his way he runs into a group of native people lying in an area. This is where if they felt like they couldn't work any longer they would come here and die. “Black Shadows of disease and starvation, lying confusedly in the greenish gloom”(Conrad) These
As the quiet cycle of life in the forested realm of the Skarure is shattered by the outbreak of war between the British and Colonial forces, the old alliances of the Haudenosaunee Confederation are pulled in divergent directions, pitting brother against brother, even within the clans. Thrust into the middle of this maelstrom, young Joseph Killeen will rely upon the guidance of an unexpected community to decide not only what is right and wrong, but ultimately, who he even
Over the course of the essay, the writing did bounce around from topic to topic, but at the same time it did follow an order of events that demonstrate, “how native’s peoples used porous borderlands to project power in ways that preserved their independence and limited the influence of encroaching empires” (Wigmore,
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
Scholar Quehenberger-Dobbs asserts that this novel "takes on the challenge of exploring the relationship between history and community", by centering around Native American experiences that have been marginalized or erased due to colonization. Lee brings this ongoing trauma into focus throughout her novel by emphasizing cultural preservation's essentiality in fighting back against outside forces. Character's assertion "We began losing our Anishinabe way of life even before they told us we must change," highlights how traditional practices have slowly but steadily been being eradicated through time (p. 7). No matter the government's attempts at wiping away their language and culture, our characters find creative solutions for maintaining and celebrating it, showing the strength and resilience of Native American communities. Erdrich's novel sheds light on Native Americans and their ongoing battle to maintain cultural traditions while contending with historical marginalization and discrimination.
(Baigell, 3) The clashes between Natives and settlers and enormous consequences, including bloodshed, the forced removal of Natives from their lands, and the establishment of settler dominance. (John P, 6) This exploring of history in a made-up story gave good understanding of how things that happened and the relationships between the groups changed what each group thought over many years. By following the stories of specific people across many generations, readers could really understand in a deep and human way the difficult, long-going conflict that lasted for centuries.
Despite the absence of an Indigenous voice, the reader is conscious that the relationship between the Kuran people and land is not about ownership but revolves around their spiritual connection to the land. Inherent injustice lurks behind the concept of land ownership as the sacrilegious act of colonisation has left Indigenous communities without land, ‘This country was Aboriginal land, and it was stolen from them without compensation’ this gap lends the reader to consider the concept of ‘terra nullius’ and its sovereignty that stipulated upon colonial settlement. The annulment of ‘terra nullius’ allowed for a reestablishment of Indigenous people reclaiming their land. It enhances the reader’s knowledge to consider that the Indigenous people work with the land, instead of manipulating and forcing the land, ‘It doesn’t care what colour I am, all that matters is that I’m here.’ John exhibits this notion of ‘white’ magic proves both illusory and harmful as it is a way of justifying the actions of past settlers and believing that their ‘relationship’ with the land as sacred as an Indigenous bond.
The sudden stealing of traditions can seem large but Indigenous communities are larger, and all connected. With the Elders by their side as their teachers, and the able-bodied to clear the rocks, the community thrives, even after the large landslide and stolen pathway. As Russel says, “Colonialism has obscured and covered up so many things from our past and yet we have languages and cultures that still thrive. ”(Wallace). When new paths are created by the community to heal from tragedy, skepticism arises about leaving the old path behind, but "yet the deviated path reaches the same river" (Wallace).
Monkey Beach is an adaptation of “Queen of the North,” both written by Eden Robinson. The texts both touch on the theme of intergenerational trauma within Indigenous communities. Through the lens of different main characters, however, Monkey Beach approaches the topic differently through its portrayal of the transmission of trauma. In “Queen of the North,” the transmission of intergenerational trauma is most clearly seen through Josh reenacting trauma onto Adelaine. In contrast, as a novel, Monkey Beach offers a more nuanced depiction of the methods of intergenerational trauma transmission, such as the loss of Lisamarie's cultural identity.
Waubgeshig Rice's novel Moon of the Crusted Snow is a powerful portrayal of the resilience and determination of indigenous communities. Set in a small Anishinaabe community, the novel depicts the community's struggle to survive during a catastrophic power outage that plunges them into darkness and uncertainty. The theme of resilience is central to the novel, as the characters are forced to adapt and rely on their ingenuity to survive. In addition, the novel highlights the importance of community in times of crisis, as the characters come together to support each other in facing these challenges. Through the characters' struggles, Rice demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of community in overcoming adversity.
As the Shawnees were attempting to reunite in the Ohio Valley, they found themselves displaced and had to defend their territory from western expansion. The Shawnees placed all their trust in the British, which didn’t turn out positive for them, for when the British ceded all lands west of the Appalachian Mountains, which endangered the lives of the Natives. “For the
The text paints the picture of how the Anishinaabe people were living before the treaty
Modernity has been mainly characterized by its imperialistic policies and colonizing endeavors, which while creating the current legal organization of the world have largely marginalized the many indigenous groups who originally occupied the conquered lands (Andrews and Walton 600). Although post-modern societies have seen an increase in the awareness of these matters, American-Canadian author Thomas King has dedicated his work to throwing light on issues still not tackled. In his short story “Borders”, King tells the adventure of a Blackfoot mother and her child, who try to cross the border to the U.S. but refuse to declare their nationality. It is through his masterful choice of narrator and the careful depiction of the mother’s struggle to maintain her Blackfoot identity that the author conveys the many difficulties First Nations face in their effort to keep their heritages alive.
The way Lionel and Eli stand up for their community's beliefs finally gets rid of George and his disrespectful actions for good, demonstrating how people can battle harsh judgment when they band together. The four elderly Indians' demonstration of the Western genre's repair reflects the effectiveness of cooperation and unity in overcoming prejudice. Eli's internalization of stereotypes due to not receiving assistance from his community also illustrates how much more powerful marginalized individuals become when they work together. Overall, the novel highlights an even more terrifying reality: colonialism in North America has done more harm than good for native communities. Despite abundant evidence of this long-term harm, society still supports politicians and initiatives that further degrade the people whose land was appropriated and whose culture was denigrated.
For Cheryl, she embraces her Metis culture and heritage. “‘I wish we were whole Indians’” (40). Throughout her time at school, Cheryl reads history books about Metis people and historical figures such as Louis Riel. She would also passionately write on what she thinks about the Metis people. At university, she writes a piece which points about the crucial effects white people have brought along in North America.