Drew Hayden Taylor’s playwright Cottagers and Indians follows Arthur Copper, an Indigenous man from an Anishnawbe community near Otter Lake, Ontario, Canada. Arthur had always felt deeply connected to the land, regardless, after the loss of his daughter due to diabetic ketoacidosis, a consequence of the absence of natural produce, Arthur embarked on a mission to revive Indigenous produce throughout Canada. Arthur's efforts impede other individuals from experiencing the loss he faced. In contrast to Arthur, Maureen Poole, a privileged and ignorant white woman in her mid-fifties who lives a very urbanized and lavish lifestyle in the City of Toronto, perceives Otter Lake as a commodity, a hiatus from her daily routine, Poole and Copper are polar opposites. Maureen yearns for a peaceful vacation, Arthur's mission disturbs her tranquility, however, Arthur possesses no ill intent. As he does annually, Arthur intends to plant and harvest manoomin. Taylor employs humour abundantly to highlight the theme of food sovereignty and the right to traditional food. The cultural disparity between Arthur and Maureen stands out as the play unfolds. …show more content…
Arthur deemed the lake as a gift, a nurturing space that gives to the environment. Maureen does not comprehend why Arthur must interrupt every cottager. The reality is the cottagers would never be able to fathom the hardships that Arthur and other Indigenous people have endured. While it can be challenging to empathize with experiences you haven't personally encountered, it is possible to sympathize. Yet, Maureen did not feel compassion for Arthur because she perceived him as a nuisance. Arthur makes humorous attempts to support his decision to plant the manoomin. He