12 Not Your Noble Savage
Themes: Reconciliation, Resource Development, Literature, Identity of Indigenous Writers
Disciplines: History, Women and Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Counselling, Business
Guiding Questions:
- Name an Indigenous author, actor, artist, musician, politician, public servant, business person, leader whom you admire? Explain your choice.
- What are three revelations that this short story/chapter (or the person you selected in Question 1) exposed that you were unaware prior to reading it and deeply affected by?
- Margaret Atwood is a well-recognized Canadian author. Write a message to Atwood to share your thoughts with her regarding her exclusion of Indigenous authors in Survival: A Thematic Guide to Canadian Literature.
- Research two of the authors Elliott includes in this story and share what you learned about them.
- Elliott notes, “True reconciliation with Native Peoples is paternalistic” (p. 163). What actions are you taking to build on “True Reconciliation” with Metis, Inuit, First Nations?
- How has Canada’s paternalistic relationship with Indigenous peoples been created, perpetuated, and reproduced?
- How does identifying as both an author and an Indigenous person both expand and/or limit their recognition as writers.
- Ultimately, books are commodities that have to be sold. Consider the message that underlies this statement. Choose words, images, etc., to exemplify what the message means to you, particularly in the context of what Elliott shared in this chapter.