The Truth About Stories

1. Stories Shape Our Understanding of the World

The truth about stories is that that’s all we are.

Stories define reality. Stories are not merely entertainment; they are the very fabric of our understanding. They shape our perceptions, beliefs, and values, influencing how we interpret the world and our place within it. Cultures are built and sustained through the stories they tell themselves.

Creation stories. Creation stories, in particular, are powerful because they establish the fundamental relationships and values of a culture. Thomas King contrasts the Christian creation story of Genesis with a Native creation story, highlighting how each narrative promotes different values:

• Genesis: Emphasizes hierarchy, law, and order.
• Native Story: Celebrates cooperation, equality, and balance.

Be mindful of stories. The stories we consume and perpetuate have real-world consequences. We must be aware of the narratives that dominate our society and critically examine their impact on our understanding of ourselves and others.

2. Native Identity is a Complex and Contested Terrain

You’re not the Indian I had in mind.

Visual expectations. The idea of "the Indian" is often a romanticized or stereotypical construct, shaped by literature, film, and popular culture. This creates a narrow and often inaccurate expectation of what Native people should look and act like.

Authenticity tests. Native people are often subjected to authenticity tests, based on factors such as:

• Appearance
• Language fluency
• Tribal enrollment
• Participation in ceremonies

Internalized racism. These tests can be particularly damaging, as they can lead to internalized racism and a sense of not being "Indian enough." The pressure to conform to external expectations can create a disjunction between reality and imagination, making it difficult for Native people to define their own identities.

3. The Performance of "Indianness"

What were we, I wanted to know, entertainment?

Commodification of culture. Native people are often relegated to the role of entertainers, expected to perform a certain version of "Indianness" for the consumption of non-Native audiences. This can be a way to gain recognition or even make a living, but it also reinforces stereotypes and limits the complexity of Native identity.

The "Apple" Dilemma. When Native people adopt non-Native ways of dressing or behaving, they are often accused of being "apples" – red on the outside, white on the inside. This creates a double bind, where Native people are either seen as inauthentic if they don't conform to stereotypes or as sellouts if they do.

Reclaiming agency. Despite these challenges, Native people are finding ways to reclaim agency and define their own identities on their own terms. This involves challenging stereotypes, celebrating cultural traditions, and creating new forms of artistic expression.

4. Historical Narratives Perpetuate Harmful Stereotypes

Stupid as garden poles.

Dehumanization. Historical narratives have often portrayed Native people as savage, uncivilized, and inferior to Europeans. These stereotypes have been used to justify the colonization, displacement, and even extermination of Native populations.

The "Dying Indian" trope. The idea of the "dying Indian" was a popular trope in 19th-century literature and art. This trope served to romanticize Native people while simultaneously erasing their presence and agency.

The power of counter-narratives. It is crucial to challenge these harmful stereotypes by telling counter-narratives that center Native voices and experiences. By reclaiming their own stories, Native people can begin to heal from the wounds of the past and create a more just and equitable future.

5. Legislation as a Tool of Cultural Erasure

Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department.

Legal assimilation. Legislation has been used as a tool to assimilate Native people into mainstream society, often with the goal of eliminating their distinct cultural identities. This has included policies such as the General Allotment Act in the United States and the Indian Act in Canada.

The Indian Act. The Indian Act in Canada has been particularly damaging, as it has defined who is and is not an Indian, controlled band governance, and restricted Native people's rights and freedoms. Amendments to the act, such as Bill C-31, have attempted to address some of the discriminatory aspects of the law, but have also created new challenges.

Two-generation cut-off clause. The two-generation cut-off clause in Bill C-31 threatens to erase status Indians within a few generations. This clause states that if a status Indian marries a non-status person for two generations, their descendants will lose their status.

6. The Power of Native Literature to Reclaim Identity

They are all we have, you see/All we have to fight off/Illness and death. You don’t have anything/If you don’t have the stories.

Resisting erasure. Native literature provides a powerful means of resisting cultural erasure and reclaiming Native identities. By telling their own stories, Native writers can challenge dominant narratives, celebrate their cultures, and create a sense of belonging and community.

Cosmology and culture. The magic of Native literature lies in the way meaning is refracted through cosmology and understanding is shaped by cultural paradigms. Native writers offer unique perspectives on universal themes such as identity, loss, and community.

Writing for a Native audience. Some Native writers are choosing to write primarily for Native audiences, creating stories that resonate with their own experiences and perspectives. This can be a way to resist the pressure to conform to non-Native expectations and to create a space for authentic self-expression.

7. Stories as a Means of Survival and Resistance

Maybe entertainment is the story of survival.

Coping mechanism. Stories can be a means of coping with trauma, loss, and injustice. By sharing their experiences, Native people can find healing, build resilience, and create a sense of hope for the future.

Maintaining culture. Stories can also be a form of resistance, preserving cultural traditions and values in the face of assimilation and oppression. By passing down their stories from generation to generation, Native people can ensure that their cultures continue to thrive.

The power of laughter. Humor is an important element of Native storytelling, providing a way to cope with difficult realities and to challenge authority. By laughing at themselves and their circumstances, Native people can reclaim their power and agency.

8. The Dichotomy of Oral vs. Written Stories

We need to awaken in him wants.

Quantifiable vs. unquantifiable. Written literature is often valued over oral literature because it is seen as more quantifiable and permanent. However, oral stories are just as important, as they are often deeply connected to community, ceremony, and the land.

Dependability. The idea that written stories are more dependable is challenged by the fact that both written and oral stories can be lost or destroyed. Neglect is as powerful an agent as war and fire.

Public vs. private. Oral stories are often public, performed for an audience, while written stories are often private, read by individuals. However, this distinction is not always clear-cut, as written stories can be performed orally and oral stories can be written down.

9. The Importance of Context in Storytelling

There are stories that take seven days to tell. There are other stories that take you all your life.

Proper place and time. Native stories are often told in specific contexts, at particular times of year, or by certain individuals or families. This context is crucial to understanding the meaning and significance of the story.

Compromised stories. When Native stories are taken out of their original context and put into print, they can be compromised. The printed word has no master, no voice, no sense of time or place.

Maintaining integrity. It is important to be respectful of the cultural protocols surrounding Native storytelling and to avoid appropriating or misrepresenting Native stories. When sharing Native stories, it is crucial to acknowledge their source and to provide appropriate context.

10. The Danger of a Single Story

These Human Beings, said the Ducks, what is it about us that they don’t like?

Limited perspectives. When we only hear one story about a group of people, we risk developing a limited and inaccurate understanding of their lives and experiences. This can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and even violence.

Power dynamics. The power to tell stories is not equally distributed. Dominant groups often have the power to shape the narratives that circulate in society, while marginalized groups are often silenced or misrepresented.

Multiple narratives. It is crucial to seek out multiple narratives and perspectives in order to gain a more complete and nuanced understanding of the world. By listening to the stories of those who have been historically marginalized, we can begin to challenge dominant narratives and create a more just and equitable society.

Last updated: April 14, 2025