Question: “To raise the question of ‘authenticity’ is to challenge not only the narrative but also the ‘truth’ behind Salish ways of knowing “(Carlson 59). Explain why this is so according to Carlson, and explain why it is important to recognize this point.

Authenticity is a problem we deal with on a daily basis, as beings who survive off of the information provided to us on the internet. It comes to no exception that literature and even stories may also fall into the same pit hole. Countless times, we are told to question authenticity and analyse the context and purposes of text we read. However, this practise may, at some times, become too habitual to us, and we may end up questioning everything we see, hear, or read. Such as in the case of challenging the authenticity of Salish narratives and their ‘truths’. Carson highlights the notion of First Nations history and how they are often influenced by Western perspective as they mature and this may lead many First Nations individuals to question the authenticity of their own cultures or narratives. It becomes blatantly apparent when compared to how Westerners internalize their own culture. We rarely often question the narratives we grow up with or the stories or even truths behind them.

First Nations people are very important to the culture of Canada and we should strive to protect their culture and history as much as we can. Carlson explains that the above notion regarding challenging authenticity is extremely significant because Salish people, and many First Nations people, were mistreated due to their differences of culture, history and narratives. It becomes vital when we discuss the importance of Westerners understanding the culture and history, behind the story and narrative.

Another problematic pattern with our internalization of First Nations culture, and literature is how their differences are understood as challenges to our history. Conflicts arise because Western and First Nations traditions, cultures and stories differ, and we often question the opposing party in this situation. Thus, it ends up with the First Nations losing their sense of culture and history in order to assimilate with the cultures of Western society. Often, Western society puts a heavy focus on the accuracy of information, so far to the extent that there exist many forms of citation methods. In a sense, we put ourselves on a pedestal as the ultimate fact keepers, and this gets reflected in the ways we interact with other cultures. Histories are kept to the upmost detail with, acknowledging the victories of Canada, but we mention none of the people we had to step over to get thus far.

Carlson discusses the consequences of these actions with regard to Salish history and mentions that the Salish people are meticulous keepers of knowledge as well. The Salish people had their own methods of monitoring the authenticity and accuracy of their stories in their oral culture, the same we Westerners fact check the information written down. In their culture, oral footnotes were used to reference other forms of authority so that they could establish themselves as reliable and good storytellers. In this regard, it would seem that the Salish oral culture shares many similarities with the written culture of the citations we use in our written culture.

The purpose of mentioning these similarities is to show that Salish people do not value authenticity any less than Westerners. If there is a concern regarding the authenticity of their stories, then presence of the oral footnotes should alleviate this concern. But, by questioning the authenticity of their stories, we also question and harm the truth of their culture and their practices as Salish people. Their culture is no less concerned with the authenticity of their stories than Canadian historians are with the history of Canada, and by questioning the reliability or truth of their stories, we end up insulting and hurting them. And more times than not, we end up creating situations where we marginalize the culture and society of First Nations people because we misunderstand or even disregard their culture in order to maintain our own. In reality, both cultures are version of the same story that we should respect and take into account for the better future.

Joseph, Bob. “Indigenous Peoples Worldviews vs Western Worldviews.” Indigenous Peoples Worldviews vs Western Worldviews, www.ictinc.ca/blog/indigenous-peoples-worldviews-vs-western-worldviews. Accessed February 17, 2020.

Sellnow. Deanna. “Oral Footnotes,” The Process of Publics Speaking, https://www2.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/materials/spch/Oleson/Fall2005/100/DocumentingSourcesOrallyDuringSpeech.htm, Accessed February 17, 2020