Motorcycles And Sweetgrass By Drew Hayden Taylor

As times evolve, so too does the approach to environmental awareness. Indigenous cultures deeply revere nature, a theme central to Drew Hayden Taylor’s novel Motorcycles & Sweetgrass. Through a fictional interpretation, Taylor explores culture’s changing effects on intergenerational relationships with nature. The novel begins with a family grappling with the chaos unleashed by an immortal being intruding on their community, but it gradually unfolds into a narrative that emphasises the importance of tradition and history. In Motorcycles & Sweetgrass, the differing connections between the characters and the natural world shape the narrative’s message. Through the diverse connections each character has with the natural environment, Taylor illustrates

She knows the eagerness of her town for ownership does not reflect the beliefs set for her by her ancestors that “one should not, even cannot, own land” (123). The realisation that she is straying away from her core beliefs emphasises her ancestors’ respect for the natural world, which is depreciating as time goes on. Ultimately, the modern relationship with nature rarely exists due to a lack of knowledge that is then replaced by surrounding influences. Despite the significant influence of modern cultural interpretations throughout the story, traditional ways persist for a few characters. For instance, the protagonist’s eccentric uncle, Wayne, embodies the tenacity of tradition through his practices while also symbolising its gradual decline in society. Wayne chooses to live out his days on an isolated island, where he focuses on the earliest practices of hunting, survival, and training. Explicitly, he trains to improve his self-defence, “combat completely influenced by. animals themselves, their strengths, abilities, their particular defences and so on”

The disconnect to Wayne’s life reflects the disconnect occurring today concerning environmental awareness. His perception as weird represents the declining interest in traditional practices over generations. However, Wayne manages to disregard all the judgement, as he knows his true values. As society evolves, Wayne acknowledges the importance of progressing, as his “heart and spirit are with [his] grandfathers and grandmothers, but [his] hands and feet are in the now.” (243). His beliefs express that people can evolve while also respecting practices that can still benefit society today, especially natural environments. In essence, Wayne’s journey illustrates how one can embrace progress while still honouring the invaluable wisdom of the past, particularly in fostering environmental connections. Yet the most valuable connection to nature is one that is lasting and consistent, one that is timeless. An obvious example is John, the shapeshifting immortal disrupting the balance of this Indigenous community. Being immortal, John sees all the phases the natural world has to face: creation, struggle, destruction, and so