Intersections
In my introduction assignment, I mentioned that my relationship of Canadian literature is heavily influenced by two books: Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson and Ru by Kim Thuy. One expanded my awareness of First Nations culture and one led me to question my understanding of what Asian-Canadian identity is. I received a really great question about what my thoughts are on the intersection between First Nations literature and Asian-Canadian literature, whether if they’re on opposite ends or share commonalities (paraphrased of course). I feel as though I immediately became wary on how I can navigate the question. I still hold some resemblance of what my initial reply (I’ll post my reply down below).
I would probably say that I hardly think of them in context to each other. I don’t think I’m necessarily right to do that but I think that I still need to know more about First Nations culture and history before I do that. I hope this class helps me garner a more definitive answer! Or even change my mind. I currently think of the two narratives as linear to one another within the topic of Canadian identity, but not correlated.
I don’t think I know enough about First Nations history or struggles to give an answer that I can definitively stand behind. I appreciate the metaphor of the intersection though. I had originally said that I thought those narratives are “linear” but I think it would’ve been more accurate if I repurposed my response into thinking about the intersections that it might possess. I feel as though I got caught up into treating the two narratives as separate instead of focusing on what similarities those narratives might share, which seems remissive to the point as it’s our similarities that brings us together. From this link https://torontosun.com/2017/08/19/bond-between-chinese-canadians-and-canadas-aboriginals/wcm/29d2d487-4de9-4404-8c65-22b170d9ed56 is an article by Gordon Chong (mixed background, part Chinese descent, Canadian) who has a theory about migration (which is very bold but is not evidence supported in this article). The takeaway that I got however is that both these narratives have been touched by displacement, which interferes with the preservation of culture.
Chamberlain seems to also take upon himself to mention that the “story of natives and newcomers” (229) both offer an insightful reading of Canada. The two narratives merges at an intersection in order to signify the importance that both narratives have to portray the story of Canada. Now my understanding of Chamberlain’s proposal is that he believes that changing the title will appease both sides. Chamberlain mentions that though there are social implications with changing such title that all in all the idea of the title is diminished to a “trick, a way of understanding something beyond everyday understanding” (229). Chamberlain seems to imply that a title is arbitrary, however that this change in title will lead to a conciliation between “fact and fiction” (230). Chamberlain summarizes this point in saying that, “like currency of ownership, or of the government – ultimately depends. Changing to the underlying aboriginal title would remind both sides of this” (230). It’s imperative to note that this changing of a title holds great social commentary as well, as it implies a strive for fairness. Fairness to settlers, which is also an argument that Chamberlain squashes as “nothing would if underlying title were aboriginal title. It would be fiction. The facts of life would remain the same” (231).
To touch upon Chamberlain’s mediation between a name to a “trick”, my understanding of the arbitrary nature of a “name” is encompassed here: https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/what-canada-was-almost-named This list happens to demonstrate just how a name can play on the ideas of fact/fiction.
References
Chamberlin, Edward. “If This is Your Land, Where are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground.” AA. Knopf. Toronto. 2003.
Chong, Gordon. “Bond between Chinese Canadians and Canada’s Aboriginals”. Toronto Sun. August 20, 2017. https://torontosun.com/2017/08/19/bond-between-chinese-canadians-and-canadas-aboriginals/wcm/29d2d487-4de9-4404-8c65-22b170d9ed56
“What Canada was ALMOST named”. CBC https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/what-canada-was-almost-named
Eva Dvorak
January 21, 2020 — 8:31 am
Hi Lisa!
Your post led me to consider the diversity of Canadian identity and to think about what it means to be Canadian. You mentioned how Ru by Kim Thuy greatly influenced how you think about Asian-Canadian identity. I have found that my understanding of many types of Canadian identities (including my own, as a second-generation immigrant) has been challenged by contemporary Canadian literature (such as What We All Long For by Dionne Brand).
Thinking about Canadian identity has often led me to wonder about who falls under the term ‘settlers’ (or what Chamberlin calls “newcomers”) in Canada. What about refugees, fleeing their homes in search of a better life (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-resettled-most-refugees-un-1.5182621)? Or the generations of Japanese-Canadians that were faced with racist Canadian government policy in the 1940s (https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/rare-views-of-japanese-canadian-internment-19-images-remembering-one-of-canadas-darkest-hours
)? (A good novel on Japanese-Canadian internment is Joy Kogawa’s Obasan). The term ‘settler’ invokes images of European colonists. I wonder how Canadian immigrants and refugees, including my grandparents, fit into settler-colonial structures in Canada. How do their stories intersect with settler narratives and Indigenous narratives in order to tell the story of Canada?
I think when discussing Canadian identity and literature, it is easy to get caught in simply analyzing the binary of Indigenous and settler. Your blog post was a reminder that there are endless types of “Canadian” narratives that intersect with each other to varying degrees. I wonder if you have any thoughts on this idea as well?
-Eva
Works Cited:
“Canada Resettled More Refugees than Any Other Country in 2018, UN Says | CBC News.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 20 June 2019, http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-resettled-most-refugees-un-1.5182621.
Chamberlin, Edward. “If This is Your Land, Where are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground.” AA. Knopf. Toronto. 2003.
Hopper, Tristin. “Rare Views of Japanese-Canadian Internment: 19 Images Remembering One of Canada’s Darkest Hours.” National Post, 15 Dec. 2016, nationalpost.com/news/canada/rare-views-of-japanese-canadian-internment-19-images-remembering-one-of-canadas-darkest-hours.
LisaHou
January 21, 2020 — 3:08 pm
Hi Eva,
I too, find the term “settler” unsettling perhaps. I think of Chamberlain’s term “newcomers” a bit more appropriate (I would love to know if you have a different interpretation btw). I find that “newcomers” in general from Chamberlain’s context more inclusive and somewhat metaphorical (my reading of Chamberlain’s voice). I personally feel as the two terms have different connotations. I too read Brand’s novel! I think that novel has a good interpretation on how there’s a vast difference between different generations of immigrants from different places and how they find “intersections” with each other. It’s definitely a prevalent way of expanding on the non-binary identities within Canada. One topic that I’m really interested in discovering more about is the disappearance of culture and the ways to preserve culture within ethnic groups; I feel as though that’s more and more prevalent within a country with lots of cultural groups. How does one keep traditions alive? What’s the importance of that? Do we feel the need to pass off as “Canadian-enough”? Brand is such a great example! I’ll remember seek out Obasan!
Thank you!
SarahAfful
January 21, 2020 — 9:58 am
Hi Lisa!
Thank you four your honesty. I really appreciate your desire to keep attempting to understand your connection to others, because I think and I hope you will discover that there are many intersections not only with Indigenous cultures but across gender lines and all lines (I say this from the perspective of ans African-Canadian). What do you think about the names we are given as individuals? For example, my name is biblical and means “princess”. I wear my names meaning as it was given to me by my mother who I believe saw me before I saw myself. Is this also a trick? How does your name impact you?
LisaHou
January 21, 2020 — 2:37 pm
Hi Sarah,
I hope I’m not misunderstood in some way, perhaps I should clarify! Though I think there’s a space of resonation between cultures I find it difficult to give concrete examples rather than metaphorical ones (ex. acts of displacement might be present but to different degrees and effects). With the meaning of the name, I don’t particularly agree with Chamberlain. I also think that perhaps Chamberlain means to have a tone of sarcasm or contradiction in his point, as he puts naming as a “trick” but also notes the progression in changing a name. I think that naming holds history. I think oral culture conveys along with place finds itself in expanding identity. That significance of one’s name or often times the changing of one’s name shapes one’s personal perception of themselves. I don’t feel as though I can comment on individual’s identity, it is what it means to yourself. I hold a western first name and a Chinese middle name, I really appreciate my parents doing that. I don’t feel as it expresses me without the other.
Thanks
MeganCameron
January 21, 2020 — 3:48 pm
Hello Lisa!
Your post has brought me to a bit of a hard question. With many people being descendants of if European settlers ( I am only a second generation Canadian if you look at my moms side – my Grandma immigrated from Germany) do you think this makes us any less Canadian? I know that there is a lot of negatives throughout history surrounding European settlers, and I have encountered people who have told me they blame “my people” for ruining Canada. I know this is a hard topic but I felt compelled to ask you your opinion!
Megan 🙂
Lisa Hou
January 21, 2020 — 4:05 pm
Hi Megan!
I want to mention that when I wrote “settlers” I was referring to Chamberlain’s words, I should’ve put that in quotations! I was saying to Eva that I felt like the term settler has a rather negative connotation to it and I don’t think I feel good using it in certain contexts anymore. I hope you don’t identify yourself with any less Canadian due to that, I think the acknowledgement of that history speaks to honouring Canadian history and identity. Also I feel like there’s more than just the binary between First Nations and newcomers, there’s so much in between (unfortunately, I don’t have any right terms for it now). I’m a first generation immigrant and newcomer feels right for me! I think Canadian-Newcomer/Chinese-Canadian (or something like that) feels right for my identity and I don’t feel as though it makes me less Canadian at all. I think the acknowledgement of my presence builds upon my Canadian identity, similar to you I feel! Hopefully, I somewhat answered that!
Thank!