Indigenous Resilience in the Moon of the Crusted Snow. If power, cell service, and satellite television went down, and communities were left isolated with no shipments of diesel or foodstuffs, would humanity have what it takes to survive? Waubgeshig Rice, an Anishinaabe writer and journalist, authors the dystopian novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow– a novel which takes place in a world like the one just described, detailing the survival of a small Anishinaabe community in northern Ontario. Several characters in Rice’s novel reveal components essential to Indigenous resilience. Evan continues Indigenous practices as a hunter; Nicole demonstrates persistence through language instruction; and Aileen shows resilience through preservation of culture. …show more content…
Before winter begins, Evan hunts for moose in the wilderness. The author writes, “Evan had spent nearly his whole life hunting. His father had first taught him to identify and follow moose tracks in the deep bush around their reserve when he was five. Now, nearly twenty years later, he was on his own, tracking his own kill to support his young family” (Rice 5). By hunting, Evan chooses to sacrifice his time and energy to maintain an Indigenous way of life and provide for his family. While there is a grocery store on the reserve, Evan remains resilient against that colonial institution through his commitment to the hunting practices that his father taught him. In doing so, Evan and his family survived the winter crisis without going through the food distribution program. In a scene where Evan is making a record of all the food Indigenous families have for the winter, the author writes, “[Evan] was disappointed to discover how few hunted anymore. Many [residents] have grown complacent in the rut of welfare” (Rice 243). By contrast to Evan, those who have abandoned the Indigenous hunting traditions in exchange for purchasing their meat at the grocery store are presented as woefully unprepared for the winter catastrophe. Therefore, by maintaining the practice of hunting, Evan can survive the winter independent of a community handout demonstrating that Indigenous resilience prevails in times of
Capaldi ENG4U-040 19 May 2024 Regaining Resilience: Moon of the Crusted Snow and the Fragility of Civilization and the Return to Indigenous Knowledge Until being strong is your only option, you never know how strong you are. The capacity to overcome hardship and recover from trying circumstances in life is known as resilience, it is a capacity which greatly showcases how emotionally and mentally strong individuals are. The novel Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice showcases the lifestyle
ChatGPT Title: The Primacy of Family: Exploring the Theme in "Moon of the Crusted Snow" by Waubgeshig Rice. In Waubgeshig Rice's "Moon of the Crusted Snow," the theme of family stands out as a central and most prominent motif, deeply woven into the fabric of the narrative. Through the lens of an isolated Anishinaabe community facing a catastrophic societal collapse, Rice illuminates the resilience, interconnectedness, and complexities of familial bonds. This essay delves into the various manifestations
In Moon of the Crusted Snow, written by Waubgeshig Rice, tragedy befalls a northern Anishinabek community, home to Evan Whitesky, the main character. The characters in this captivating story must navigate the challenges and hardships as they unravel. Indigenous characters in the book and Justin Scott are the main focus of the book. Themes that arise within these characters aid in the definition of what the book's overarching genre is. Justin Scott is mainly characterised in Misery Lit, the genre
Surviving the Crisis: Colonialism and Adaptability in Anishinaabe Communities. Waubgeshig Rice's 'Moon of the Crusted Snow' explores how colonialism, both past and present, has affected Anishinaabe communities, isolating them and disturbing their traditional survival skills during times of hardship. The narrative effectively illustrates the over-dependence on external Western systems, highlighting the community's vulnerability if these systems malfunction amid a crisis. Through deeds like land theft
How Do We Behave As Good Relatives? In times of crisis where strength and resilience of a community is tested, the importance of mutual support and cultural preservation is significant for survival. Different media, including literature and films, demonstrate the experiences of these communities and principles of being a good relative. The novel, “Moon of the Crusted Snow” and short film “Mary Two-Axe Earley: I Am Indian Again” explore the theme of good relations and how different forms of media
Symbolism for Colonialism in Moon of the Crusted Snow In Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow, Rice explores themes of colonialism, Indigenous resilience, and survival of the fittest through the lens of a fictional reservation in Northern Ontario. The dystopian novel dives into the struggles and hardships of one remote Indigenous community. One such difficulty involves the character, Justin Scott, a white man, who oversteps his welcome in the reservation and attempts to drastically change the
In “Moon of the Crusted Snow,” Waubgeshig Rice defines themes of gender, resilience, and wisdom throughout the novel. Emphasizing them through the challenges of cultural collapse and hardships. Through the experiences of the characters, the author highlights how wisdom can be found anywhere, and the true power is found within the community. The novel underlines how gender affects the duties of an individual during a crisis, and Rice illustrates that working in cooperation helps the community survive
skepticism and forced assimilation, the Anishinaabe culture stands resilient. Now, I will uncover the strength of traditions and cultural resilience that can shift the stubborn rock filled with assimilation and skepticism away from the path to freedom. Response to the question: I believe the culture of the Anishinaabe people is denied in Moon of the Crusted Snow through instances of skepticism from outsiders like Scott, who belittle their traditions and cultural heritage, and the suppression of Anishinaabe