07/04/2024

the inconvenient indian (thomas king) is two books at once. it is a book that reveals to canadians and americans what indigenous people have already known for a long time. and it is a personal retelling of what it is to be indian in the modern age. it is a no brainer that the indigenous people of north america have suffered at the hands of colonial powers, and during the course of the development of modern day capitalism.

in the book, the cycle of treaty -> discovery of natural resources -> genocide or atrocity -> relocated indians, and then back to a treaty is explored at length, amongst others subjects such as residential schools and the origins of the american indian movement. we learn how the dishonest treaties and discriminatory laws made hundreds of years ago still permeate the lives of modern-day indigenous people in north america. we also see the many small victories that indians have made in the face of a government that would rather see them gone away with.

it is common for contemporary writers and outsiders to see the history of indigenous people and feel nothing but pity. movies and tv depict indians as noble, spiritual people that want to do nothing but be left alone. i, myself, have been guilty of this kind of thinking as well; but, this does not solve anything and treats an entire swathe of people as if they only exist to be pitied.

the second book, the same book, is the personal collections and stories of the author, thomas king. do not come into this book expecting something similar to howard zinn's a people's history. the inconvenient indian is a warmer read that is still effective of conveying the five hundred years of white and indian relations. just instead of zinn telling you about the atrocities that speckle american history like crabs on a morning sea shore, king treats you to a dinner while regaling you with some of his favourite stories.

king's book is a much more personal work, which he uses to his advantage. what good is telling someone solely that indigenous people are discriminated in housing, when king recalls himself being discriminated against after he receives a racist flyer in the mail warning neighbours that a "treaty seven" family has moved in. is it better to tell someone a series of facts, or a personal recollection?

through king, we also see the importance in keeping a sense of humour. perhaps that is all of what is left after you and your ancestors have been subjected to several centuries of torment and abuse. or perhaps we see humour as defiance. as a revolutionary act. a revolutionary act against forced capitulation, entire groups of people wiped out and lost to time.

the canadian and american governments have not and still do not treat indigenous people with the dignity that they deserve. it does not matter how much the american and canadian governments apologize and try to get everyone to wear orange shirts and pretend everything is getting better, if it is not.

i recommend this book and believe that is crucial for understanding the history of north america, and why our governments keep getting it wrong with indigenous people.

published by doubleday & penguin random house in 2012