The Importance of Land and Language in Plight: Exploring the Theme of Home in Indigenous Lives
Looking specifically at the story "Plight" by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, the theme of home is central to the lives of the indigenous peoples. The story follows the protagonist as she visits her family's sugar bush, a place that she sees as her home. The narrative also focuses on the difficulties that indigenous people have keeping a connection to their ancestral lands and homes in the face of colonization and assimilation.
The protagonist's ties to her ancestral home are represented by the sugar bush. The main character discusses the significance of the sugar bush as she moves through it and says, "It's our sugar bush. It looks different because there are three streets and 150 houses and one thousand people living in it, but it is my sugar bush. It is our sugar bush" (Simpson 5). The protagonist still views the sugar bush as her home, a place where she feels a sense of belonging and connection to her ancestors, despite the changes that have taken place in her community, such as the building of new houses and roads that changed the terrain.
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Through these stories, the protagonist gains a greater awareness of her cultural background and her connection to the land. The importance of language and storytelling in preserving cultural history and preserving a connection to the land is emphasized by Sabe as she teaches the main character about