Cultural Heritage In 'Totem And The Song My Paddle Sings'

The search for a stable and authentic sense of identity is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, but for Indigenous peoples, the ongoing legacy of colonialism and the need to reconcile cultural heritage with outside forces complicate it. The literary works of Thomas King and E. Pauline Johnson portray this struggle to define oneself as not just a personal journey but also a political and historical one. The complexities of identity formation have long been a topic of interest in literature and academia. Specifically, the challenge of reconciling cultural heritage with external forces, especially in the context of Indigenous identity, has been analyzed and scrutinized. In "Totem" by Thomas King and "The Song My Paddle Sings" by Emily

In "Totem," Thomas King uses the symbolism of the totem pole to point out the challenge of protecting cultural heritage from external influences. The totem pole’s noise annoys the people, leading them to demand its removal from the museum. Walter, the museum director, agrees since “[the] totem pole is not part of the show” (King 1). The totem pole symbolizes Indigenous identity and cultural heritage, and those advocating for its removal are external forces who believe that it has no place in society. Despite their efforts, the totem pole is stuck in the floor and cannot be removed with a chainsaw, unearthing the depth of Indigenous roots and how they cannot be easily removed or silenced. As shown above, King uses the totem pole to highlight the importance of cultural heritage and the difficulties of preserving it in the face of external influences. Similarly, in "The Song My Paddle Sings," Johnson uses the paddle as a symbol of Indigenous heritage to uncover this shared theme. The speaker calls upon the wind to rest and let the paddle do the work, as evidenced by the lines: “My paddle will lull you into rest. / O! drowsy wind of the drowsy west, / Sleep, sleep. / By your mountain steep, / Or down where the prairies grasses sweep! / Now fold in slumber your laggard wings, / For soft is the

The totem pole in the story represents the cultural traditions and beliefs of Indigenous communities, which are often dismissed and disregarded by non-Indigenous people. The non-Indigenous characters in the story are oblivious to the totem pole's significance and even deny its existence. For example, when Beebe Hill complains about the noises coming from the totem pole, Walter initially denies its presence, saying, “There wasn’t a totem pole in the entire place including the basement and the storage room" (King 1). This attitude reflects the colonial mentality of erasure and assimilation towards Indigenous cultures, resulting from centuries of colonialism. As King showcases, this mentality has a lasting impact on the identity and cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples. On the other hand, the journey of identity formation in "The Song My Paddle Sings" is shaped by embracing traditional customs and beliefs, as demonstrated when the speaker uses words like "Drift, drift" (Johnson, line 21). This line suggests the speaker's strong connection to the flow of the river, which represents the flow of life and emphasizes the importance of going with the flow in Indigenous culture. The speaker's willingness to face the dangerous rapids and their trust in their craft also reflect a sense of resilience and bravery that traditional Indigenous culture values.