Why Indigenous Literatures Matter

I've brushed up against literary scholarship before, but there's something so much more immediate about the way Justice approaches the topic. In his conclusion he states “ Indigenous literatures matter because Indigenous peoples matter.” This book is an exploration of all the ways Indigenous writers, poets, playwrights, autobiographers, have helped to both outline the many ways colonialism, a racist white supremacist system, has stripped Indigenous people of their stories, their context, their sense of worth, and also how these same groups of creatives have helped to bridge the gaps, foster connections, healing, revive a sense of culture, of value and tradition through their writing. Justice credits non-fiction as well as fiction in a wide range of genres, and includes part of his own story in reflecting on disenfranchisement and rebuilding. This book has value as more than just a look at Indigenous literature (so many things to add to my TBR! Though there are some spoilers covered when addressing themes); it's also an inspiring but pragmatic reaffirmation of the work of Indigenous peoples that is still ongoing, acknowledging what has been lost without submitting to the notion that loss is all there is left. 

⚠️SA, discussion of residential school related trauma