In terms of the plot of the narrative, I feel that Junior’s experiences living on a reserve, going to a school off-reserve, being the only “Indian” in school, and dealing with issues such as alcoholism and substance abuse, relates to the experiences on many First Nation, Metis and Inuit people, including myself. As I mentioned earlier in the semester, in my digital portrait, up until my second year of Cegep, I went to French speaking schools. Unlike the event that pushed Junior to transfer to a new school, my mother was highly influenced by my grandfather to send both my sister and I to a French School. He believed that my sister and I would only achieve success in school and in life is if we spoke both official languages. As in the case of Junior, many people from my community were visibly and verbally upset when my mother made the decision to send my sister and I to a school outside the reserve. I believe that they did not understand the reasons that pushed my mother to make this very important decisions concerning our education. Of course, she did not dislike the school, on the opposite, she quite enjoyed the school and in fact, graduated from the it almost 20 years prior. The transition from French to English was quite difficult for me because on my first day of school, I did not understand the language, and was not able to communicate with the teachers and students. If I needed assistance with an assignment or needed to use the restroom, I would use sign language to try to communicate my needs to the teacher. This was a very difficult period for me because I always felt inferior, and I always thought that the teachers felt bad for me for being an “Indians” in an all-white school. I felt like a complete outsider, and I believe that is exactly how Junior felt on his first day. As mentioned in the book, Junior was the only Indian, besides the school’s mascot. In my case, besides my sister, who has two grades ahead of me, I was the only aboriginal person in my class, and I constantly felt singled-out and inferior to my French-speaking counterparts. Even when I finally learned the language, I could not use it as well as my friends, who grew up in a household that only spoke French. I think my friends, and peers did not fully understand how difficult it was for me to return home and only hear English. The English language was everywhere from dinner table conversations, to the news, to my favourite TV shows. It is only when you are put in this kind of situation that, as Junior, you realize how different both cultures truly are. It is like you are living in two separate worlds, and you have to change every aspect of yourself just to fit. Even then, however, it is difficult to find your place within both worlds because you know, you will never truly fit in anywhere. The problem that arises as a result of living in two different world is never understanding or finding your place in both worlds. But, as in the case of Junior, you eventually find a place where you are comfortable. Junior joined the basketball team, and connected with a girl name Penelope. Ironically, my best friend in high school was also named Penelope, and although we were polar opposites, we complemented each other quite well. I believe that she was the only person who saw me as Brooke, the person and not Brooke, the Indian from the reserve. I believe that this is a problem that many off-reserve students deal with because it is often difficult for people to look past the stereotypes and preconceived ideas of First Nations people, and just regard them as human beings. Briefly, I believe this book adequately and fairly explains the difficulties of inclusion and trying to fit into two different world. I also believe that many off-reserve aboriginals can relate to Junior’s experiences and learn from his trials and tribulations.
2 Comments
Linda Radford
11/27/2015 02:53:48 am
Following Alaa's, I too have loved reading your response. You childhood memories of beginning at a French school are certainly as telling as is what Alexie represents about Junior's in the PT Indian. Thank you for having the courage to share these experiences, your knowledge and insight!
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