Thunderbird: Embracing Indigenous Voices of Resistance

“Indigenous people have not surrendered to the colonial structures embedded within the current government” (Karim). For over four centuries, Indigenous identities, stories, and lifestyles were silenced due to aggressive actions of settler colonialism. Initially, this was accomplished through maltreatment and exploitation of Indigenous individuals and communities. Results included oppression and attacks on Indigenous sovereignty. Indigenous artists and writers reveal some of the multifaceted humiliations and challenges experienced by Indigenous Peoples. Their creative work embodies individual statements, collective experiences and oftentimes both. Understanding the often overt and sometimes subliminal messages contained within requires an appreciation of events occurring into present times. There is no metaphoric blanket covering Indigenous experiences. Their situations are nuanced. However, there are undeniable similarities. Common to several Indigenous communities are characteristic generational trauma due to cultural alienation and systemic discrimination. The federal government encouraged Indigenous territorial dispossession. Methods utilized included residential schools, socioeconomic marginalization due to treaties, federal government legislation, as well as aggressive land grab behaviours of settler colonialism. “Land is a fundamental asset for sustainable economic development for First Nations, and land rights are critical for self-determination” (Assembly of First Nations). Regaining dignity and reaffirming Indigenous values are central themes for several Indigenous artists and writers. This thesis will discuss some of the significant impacts of settler colonialism. Reclaiming Indigenous heritage and spirituality are important resistance themes in Indigenous art and writing. There is an ambitious attempt to regain their missing cultural disruption and protect their descendants from symbolically sliding further into a cultural erasure. Indigenous artists and writers are achieving increasing levels of successes getting their messages out and better known to wider audiences. This is impactful, demonstrated through increased numbers of citizens claiming Indigenous heritage on the Canadian 2021 federal government census. Self-declared Indigenous status comprises five percent of the Canadian population, approximately 1.8 million (Statistics Canada, 2022). Settler colonialism created devastating political and historic impacts towards Indigenous individuals and communities. General observations focus on a combination of Eurocentric influences based on culture and religious values associated with Christianity as primary issues. Unsurprising, even in its simplicity, Indigenous art and writings express painful cultural disruption. Some of these are represented through allegoric and metaphoric layers behind Indigenous art and writing. Coinciding with a discussion on the spirituality of select Indigenous artists and writers, there should be an appreciation beyond settler colonization of what transpired with the European invasion of Turtle Island. Although this thesis will attempt to begin a discussion, due to the breadth of this topic, this interpretive research initiative cannot be inclusive of all factors. However, settler colonialism did not consider that Indigenous groups had civilizing laws and influences. This is because Eurocentric thinking did not consider different viewpoints and therefore, regarded them as savages (Berenstain 2). The artists and writers discussed represent a sampling of the much larger group. There can be no claim made that these are the best or most talented artists and writers, only that the ones chosen represent values and experiences core to Indigenous lives. A challenge in constructing this thesis involved which artists and writers to include. Readers and academics of this thesis may have chosen to include others. And perhaps, these alternative additions would be beneficial in telling more of their stories. Therefore, consider this thesis to serve as an introduction to select Indigenous artists and writers and their representative messages. Through research for this thesis, it became evident that the numbers of Indigenous stories are increasing each year. More are inspired to share their lived knowledge and experiences. Many of their experiences have been locked inside memories. This thesis should be viewed from the perspective of the currency of time. Undoubtedly, future new stories will complement the narratives of Indigenous Peoples (Jordan-Fenton, 2020, xv-xvi). Videos were created using footage from personally visited art galleries to serve as visual representations of Indigenous art forms. This process involved exploring Indigenous art exhibits throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Indigenous artists provide audiences with profound emotional experiences and offer powerful interpretations of their cultural expressions.

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