Olivia's Post on A Conversation Between Shelagh Rogers and Thomas King (2012)

            This week’s reading is an interview with Thomas King who wrote a non-fiction book entitled The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. The conversation covers his personal take on Aboriginal history and people.  One of the main points that comes across in King’s responses is that there are certain patterns that keep repeating themselves surrounding Aboriginal people.  He attributes the long-standing injustices of this group to ongoing ignorance, power-hungry mindsets and being preoccupied with the present and future.

            King (2012) notes that although his book is a factual piece, it is unapologetically opinionated (and needs to be so). He holds a position on the state of Aboriginal history in that “…it is a history and it’s not…” (2012, p.270). King believes North America has not dealt with their history adequately or appropriately which has resulted in several, terrible consequences.  The focus on the present, and the increasing attention on future conditions, results in not reflecting on the past. He believes this is why no one has learned anything in order to address the conflicts between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals. This ‘forgetfulness’ is, in my opinion, the larger part of the pattern that contributes to the making of numerous injustices. The increasing futuristic outlook also creates this threat, for example, the Idle No More, King states, is just another example of the government neglect and that their power is overriding treaties from centuries ago.  Lastly, he makes an important point how it is good that we realize that facts are not always facts but opinions.  I believe that he also deems this realization necessary in order to uncover truths and magnify the tragedies. The author confessed his struggle of working with the facts but it seems like his opinionated, individual view is needed and unavoidable regarding this topic since it is has been so poorly handled.    

            A second, unfortunate pattern that emerges from the inattention to Aboriginal nations is the image of Native people. For such a long time and still today, there has not only been the stereotypical illustration of an Indian wearing feathers and a headdress but also a represented in a beaten, undignified manner.  King presents three versions of an Indian, one being called the legal Indian which he quotes, “…the Indian that Canada is trying to kill. They don’t want no more…” (p.280). This description similarly reflects popular culture’s underlying message of conquering the Indians, getting rid of the culture, race, etc.  King’s other label, Dead Indian, refers to the stereotypical Indian, which I feel would be better suited with the name called ‘imaginary Indian’ as described in Francis’s (1992) article.   

            Another pattern that we have yet to realize and learn from is the effects of power and money on this group.  The author uses an amusing analogy with the coyote and North America; the society has an enormous appetite for all things ‘comfortable’ and those in power recklessly consume whatever they want.  King talks about one of the main ‘cravings’ which is land, and this particularly is a sensitive topic to Aboriginals.  It seems to be a highly valued resource for Native groups, physically and spiritually, and King describes the non-aboriginal approach to obtain this source as careless and aggressive.  The state, in this example, simply has a different view on this resource. This type of disagreement displays the importance of listening to others and achieving a more accommodating mindset.  The present approach of taking away from this group, over-powering it and acting clueless is history repeating itself.

            One of King’s course of action that is valuable touches on the earlier point made on uncovering truths.  If people keep sharing their stories on their personal experiences and views it is one step toward bringing history closer to the forefront.  This will help knock down the stereotypes, bring more consciousness to the present situations and not allow people to forget about this. Although this may seem like a small step, it is in my opinion the necessary one which can be easily practiced in many, many ways.  

 

References:

 

Francis, D. (1992). The imaginary Indian. Vancouver: Arsenal Press.

King, T. (2012). The inconvenient Indian. Toronto: Anchor Press.