“There have always been divergent stories of “home” in Canada. Mythic, pluralistic Glowing Hearts, on one hand, oppressive Home on Native land, on the other.
In the former, symbols dominate: empty wigwams and tipis because they don’t speak back to paternalism; sacred stories removed from their keepers to prevent carrying the memories of our worlds into the future; and Indigenous peoples themselves as tokens because tokens offer consent.”
Oceti Sakowin Camp along the Cannonball River - August 2016 (photo by me)
“The soil, the fire and the ashes are much deeper than symbols — they are teachings, attachments, memories and resurgence.
There is a truth about many Indigenous homes, inaccessible to Canadians despite the poking and prodding. The smouldering remains, that broken down car in the front lawn, toys scattered across the road: each are manifestations of our love in disarray. They are symbols of Indigenous resourcefulness, testaments to endurance against the odds and in some cases, pride.”
Read the whole article here: The Wigwam Conspiracy
Hayden King & I wrote this piece for CBC Canada 2017.
This was a really interesting read. Thanks for sharing!