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"Citizenship?
Blackfoot.
Ma'am?
Blackfoot.
Canadian?
Blackfoot." (41-45)
This book was stunning. The book centred on one interaction - a Blackfoot mother and her child looking to visit their daughter/sister. They became stuck at the border when they would not give the border control officers a citizenship they understood (Canadian or American). This book showed how borders were created as a legacy of settler colonialism - an attempt to categorize and separate land stolen from Indigenous peoples.
"the Blackfoot who understand that the border is the figment of someone else's imagination" (1).
The novel also shows the ways colonialism manifests in institutions. For example, the way as settler-colonial people, we take for granted that our citizenship (as Canadians and Americans) will be recognized. While Blackfoot identity (people who have been on the land significantly longer, have an actual claim to the land, and have had most of their land stolen from them) are not recognized as a 'legitimate citeznship.'
Although this book highlights these institutional discriminations and legacies, this story is not one of disempowerment, quite the opposite. Instead, this book is a celebration of Blackfoot strength. The power of activism in seemingly small interactions and everyday activities is celebrated as the massive feat it is. The mother's continual resolve is powerful. And the young boy's kindness, excitement and innocence were heartwarming.
The artwork by Métis artist Natasha Donovan was stunning. This book was as much told through the artwork as the verbal language. For example, there are many non-verbal interactions. Donovan is so talented at showing tense, complex and human communications. Further, the quote I have included at the top is not done justice in the written word. The dramatic spaces with artwork and zooming into the facial expressions took the quote to a different level of impact.
Overall, remarkable novel. I highly recommend it in graphic form.
Blackfoot.
Ma'am?
Blackfoot.
Canadian?
Blackfoot." (41-45)
This book was stunning. The book centred on one interaction - a Blackfoot mother and her child looking to visit their daughter/sister. They became stuck at the border when they would not give the border control officers a citizenship they understood (Canadian or American). This book showed how borders were created as a legacy of settler colonialism - an attempt to categorize and separate land stolen from Indigenous peoples.
"the Blackfoot who understand that the border is the figment of someone else's imagination" (1).
The novel also shows the ways colonialism manifests in institutions. For example, the way as settler-colonial people, we take for granted that our citizenship (as Canadians and Americans) will be recognized. While Blackfoot identity (people who have been on the land significantly longer, have an actual claim to the land, and have had most of their land stolen from them) are not recognized as a 'legitimate citeznship.'
Although this book highlights these institutional discriminations and legacies, this story is not one of disempowerment, quite the opposite. Instead, this book is a celebration of Blackfoot strength. The power of activism in seemingly small interactions and everyday activities is celebrated as the massive feat it is. The mother's continual resolve is powerful. And the young boy's kindness, excitement and innocence were heartwarming.
The artwork by Métis artist Natasha Donovan was stunning. This book was as much told through the artwork as the verbal language. For example, there are many non-verbal interactions. Donovan is so talented at showing tense, complex and human communications. Further, the quote I have included at the top is not done justice in the written word. The dramatic spaces with artwork and zooming into the facial expressions took the quote to a different level of impact.
Overall, remarkable novel. I highly recommend it in graphic form.