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The Marrow Thieves Research Paper

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The Marrow Thieves, a novel by Cherie Dimaline, delves into the themes of loss, resilience, and survival, emphasizing the significance of family and community networks in navigating adversity. This essay argues that the presence of family and community networks is crucial for navigating loss, as exemplified in The Marrow Thieves, where the interconnectedness of Indigenous individuals within these structures facilitates healthy healing and progression through the challenges of loss of family and friends, erosion of larger cultural identities, and upheaval of personal identities. The loss of family and friends is a devastating experience that can have a profound impact on individuals. In The Marrow Thieves, Frenchie's loss of his brother Mitch …show more content…

This emphasis on community support is echoed in the "First Peoples Principles of Learning," which notes that "learning involves recognizing the consequences of one's actions" and that "learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational" (First Nations Education Steering Committee, FNESC). The loss of larger cultural identities is another significant theme in The Marrow Thieves. The novel portrays the erosion of Indigenous cultures and identities through the forced assimilation of residential schools and the suppression of Indigenous knowledge and practices (Dimaline 23, 90). However, the novel also showcases the resilience of Indigenous individuals and communities in reclaiming their lost cultural heritage. Cherie Dimaline's emphasis on empowering youth with knowledge and power, as seen in her interview "Reclaiming Lost Dreams," underscores the importance of community and family networks in preserving cultural identities (TVO Today). Similarly, Charles Joseph's use of art and creativity to cope with the trauma of residential schools highlights the role of community and family support in healing and moving forward ("Cruelty: Charles Joseph

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