Full Description
Now in its second edition, this groundbreaking work of literary and cultural criticism analyzes representations of Indigenous women in Canadian literature. By deconstructing stereotypical images of the "Indian princess" and "easy squaw," Janice Acoose calls attention to the racist and sexist depictions of Indigenous women in popular literature. Blending personal narrative and literary criticism, this revised edition draws a strong connection between the persistent negative cultural attitudes fostered by those stereotypical representations and the missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
Acoose decolonizes written English by interweaving her own story with reflections on the self-determination of her female ancestors and by highlighting influential Indigenous female writers who have resisted cultural stereotypes and reclaimed the literary field as their own. This important text urges both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to move beyond words to challenge the harmful attitudes that condone violence against Indigenous women.
Thoroughly updated and featuring new photographs, questions for critical thought, and a discussion of Indigenous women's literary voices that have emerged in the past twenty years, the second edition of Iskwewak is an invaluable resource for students and teachers of Indigenous studies, women's studies, and literature.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Iskwewak Kah' Ki Yaw Ni Wahkomakanak: Re-membering Being to Signifying Female Relations
Chapter 2: Literature, Stereotypes, and Cultural Attitudes
Chapter 3: Keeping the Fire: Iskwewak Kah' Ki Yaw Ni Wahkomakanak
Chapter 4: Stereotypes and Dis-membered Relations
Chapter 5: Maria Campbell's Halfbreed: A Politicized Text for Re-membering Being
Chapter 6: Re-calling Signifying Female Relations to Transform Being
Questions to Promote Critical Conversations
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Copyright Acknowledgements
