A Mind Spread Out on the Ground

1. Colonialism's impact on Indigenous identity and culture persists today

"Canada knew that, too. Which is why they fought so hard to make us forget them."

Cultural erasure: Colonialism sought to eradicate Indigenous languages, traditions, and ways of life. The Indian Act of 1876 defined who could be legally considered "Indian," often stripping Indigenous women of their status if they married non-Indigenous men. This legacy continues today, with many Indigenous people struggling to reconnect with their culture and identity.

Ongoing discrimination: Despite claims of multiculturalism, Canada continues to marginalize Indigenous peoples. The author describes experiencing racism during land reclamation efforts in Caledonia, Ontario, where the same people who enjoyed Indigenous cultural events hurled racial slurs at protestors. This highlights the selective acceptance of Indigenous culture when it's commodified for entertainment versus when Indigenous people assert their rights.

Intergenerational impact: The effects of colonialism ripple through generations. The author discusses how her family's experiences with residential schools, forced relocation, and cultural suppression have shaped her own understanding of identity and belonging. This trauma manifests in various ways, from mental health struggles to difficulties in preserving and passing down cultural knowledge.

2. Food insecurity and poor nutrition linked to intergenerational trauma

"Poor people can't afford good health."

Systemic barriers: Indigenous communities often face limited access to nutritious food due to poverty, remote locations, and the disruption of traditional food systems. On reserves, convenience stores may be the primary source of food, offering mostly processed items at inflated prices. This contributes to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and other health issues among Indigenous populations.

Government policies: The author critiques U.S. agricultural subsidies that make unhealthy, processed foods cheaper than fresh produce. This disproportionately affects low-income and racialized communities, perpetuating cycles of poor health. Additionally, historical policies like forced starvation on the prairies and malnutrition in residential schools have long-lasting impacts on Indigenous health.

Epigenetic effects: Research suggests that experiences of hunger and malnutrition can affect gene expression, potentially passing these health impacts to future generations. This biological legacy of trauma compounds the cultural and economic factors contributing to food insecurity in Indigenous communities.

3. Mental illness stigma affects both individuals and families

"Where do you end and where does your sickness begin?"

Personal struggle: The author shares her journey with depression and anxiety, initially resisting diagnosis due to fear of being seen as "less than." This internalized stigma delayed her seeking treatment and accepting her condition, illustrating how societal attitudes toward mental illness can hinder individual healing.

Family dynamics: The essay explores the author's complex relationship with her mother, who has bipolar disorder. It highlights the challenges faced by families dealing with mental illness, including the strain on relationships, the burden of caregiving, and the difficulty in separating the person from their condition.

Societal perceptions: The author critiques how mental illness is often portrayed in media and understood by the public, noting the tendency to view those with mental health conditions as either completely defined by their illness or as somehow separate from it. This oversimplification fails to capture the nuanced reality of living with mental illness.

4. Photography can reinforce harmful stereotypes of Indigenous peoples

"If you can't write about us with a love for who we are as a people, what we've survived, what we've accomplished despite all attempts to keep us from doing so; if you can't look at us as we are and feel your pupils go wide, rendering all stereotypes a sham, a poor copy, a disgrace—then why are you writing about us at all?"

Historical context: The essay examines how early photographers like Edward S. Curtis perpetuated the "vanishing Indian" stereotype, portraying Indigenous people as relics of the past rather than living, evolving cultures. This perspective continues to influence how Indigenous peoples are represented in media and understood by the public.

Power dynamics: The author discusses how non-Indigenous photographers often impose their own standards and assumptions on Indigenous subjects, creating images that reflect colonial ideologies rather than Indigenous realities. This can lead to the commodification of Indigenous culture and the reinforcement of harmful stereotypes.

Reclaiming representation: The essay highlights the importance of Indigenous photographers and artists controlling their own narratives. It mentions contemporary Indigenous artists who use photography to challenge stereotypes, assert their identities, and explore complex themes of tradition and modernity.

5. Sexual assault survivors face societal pressure to share their trauma

"I deserve what my rapist never gave me: a choice."

Violation of privacy: The author describes the pressure survivors often face to disclose details of their assault, likening it to forcing Jesus to let Thomas probe his wounds. This invasive expectation can re-traumatize survivors and denies them control over their own narrative.

Performance of pain: Society often expects survivors to behave in certain ways to be believed, such as showing visible distress or avoiding all intimacy. The essay critiques how these expectations can lead to further trauma and injustice, citing the case of Amanda Knox as an example of how "improper" responses to trauma can be used against survivors.

Right to forget: The author advocates for survivors' right to intentionally forget aspects of their trauma as a valid coping mechanism. She challenges the notion that constantly revisiting traumatic memories is necessary for healing, arguing that sometimes forgetting can be a form of self-preservation.

6. Selfies and social media challenge traditional beauty standards

"If posting selfies online means that we temporarily feel good about ourselves in a society that requires us to feel bad to make money; if it encourages us to refuse the idea that we need to change ourselves to fit impossible moulds, isn't that indispensable for our progress?"

Democratization of beauty: Social media platforms allow individuals to define and celebrate their own beauty, challenging the narrow standards historically set by mainstream media and advertising. This shift gives voice and visibility to those traditionally excluded from beauty narratives.

Self-representation: The author describes her journey from avoiding cameras to embracing selfies as a form of self-love and empowerment. She argues that taking control of one's image can be a revolutionary act, especially for marginalized groups who have historically been misrepresented or erased.

Economic impact: The essay notes how social media representation has influenced industries, citing examples like Rihanna's Fenty Beauty line and the success of "Black Panther." While acknowledging the limitations of capitalist solutions to systemic issues, the author sees these changes as positive steps towards more inclusive representation.

7. Literary colonialism polices Indigenous writers' authenticity and content

"Essentially, there's no way for Native writers to really win."

Authenticity policing: The essay critiques how non-Indigenous critics often question Indigenous authors' identities or "authenticity," using arbitrary standards of "Indianness" rooted in colonial stereotypes. This creates impossible standards for Indigenous writers to meet.

Content restrictions: Indigenous authors face pressure to write only about "Native" themes or characters, with their work scrutinized if it deviates from expected topics. This limits creative freedom and perpetuates the idea that Indigenous experiences are monolithic.

Success suspicion: The author notes that when Indigenous writers achieve success, it's often attributed to guilt or political correctness rather than the quality of their work. This undermines their accomplishments and reinforces the idea that Indigenous literature is somehow separate from or lesser than the mainstream literary canon.

8. Reconciliation requires more than apologies; it demands systemic change

"True reconciliation with Native peoples requires Canada to stop its paternalistic, discriminatory policies and, most important, stop interfering with our sovereignty over our identities, communities and lands."

Beyond symbolism: The author critiques superficial reconciliation efforts that focus on apologies or symbolic gestures without addressing underlying systemic issues. She argues that true reconciliation requires concrete actions to dismantle discriminatory policies and restore Indigenous sovereignty.

Land and resources: The essay highlights the ongoing struggle for Indigenous land rights and resource control, noting how government approvals of pipelines and other projects often disregard Indigenous consent. True reconciliation must include respecting Indigenous peoples' rights to their traditional territories and resources.

Cultural revitalization: The author emphasizes the importance of supporting Indigenous cultural practices, languages, and knowledge systems. This includes providing resources for cultural education and removing barriers to traditional practices, rather than merely commodifying Indigenous culture for tourism or entertainment.

Last updated: January 23, 2025