Student’s Name
– Vishabh Trehan
Student’s ID - 239634880
Algoma University
Mississauga Campus
Course/section- PMAL-103-23S-O-1O
Professor’s Name - Richard E. Jaques
June 11th, 2023
After reading Coyote and the Enemy Aliens (King, 2010), discuss three parallelisms you
find between Coyote’s behavior in the chapter and the relationship between Indigenous
peoples and settlers in Canada’s colonization process. Finally, mention one shared
challenge that Indigenous peoples and members of other minority groups have faced in
the history of their relationship with mainstream society as per this week’s readings.
In "Coyote and the Enemy Aliens" by Thomas King (2010), Coyote's behavior may be understood
as related to the connection between Indigenous peoples and settlers in Canada's colonization
process in various aspects. Here are three parallelisms:
1. Trickster persona: Coyote is a well-known prankster in Native American mythology, and the
chapter's events show this trait. Similarly, Indigenous peoples were frequently forced to depend
on their intelligence, flexibility, and cunning to handle the hurdles posed by the colonization
process.
Explanation: They used a variety of techniques to safeguard their interests and sustain their
way of life, including diplomacy, resistance, and cultural preservation.
2. Power disparity: Throughout the chapter, Coyote looks to be the underdog, confronting a
formidable extra-terrestrial army. This power disparity reflects the historical interaction
between Indigenous peoples and colonizers in Canada. Indigenous peoples faced enormous
discrepancies in power while settlers held better military might, technical improvements, and
political influence.
Explanation: Because of this power imbalance, Indigenous groups have been marginalized,
displaced, and exploited.
3. Cultural resilience: Throughout the chapter, Coyote stays resilient and resourceful despite
the hardships he experiences. Similarly, Indigenous peoples in Canada displayed extraordinary
tenacity in the face of colonization. They have strived to preserve their cultural practices,
dialects, and spiritual traditions, frequently modifying and adding new components while
retaining their essential identities.
Explanation: Indigenous groups have been able to maintain their traditional practices through
centuries of colonization and assimilation.
The loss of cultural identity and the impact of cultural erasure are two challenges that
Indigenous peoples and members of other minority groups have encountered throughout their
relationship with mainstream culture. Both Indigenous peoples and members of other minority
groups have experienced attempts to integrate them into the majority culture throughout
colonization, frequently resulting in the loss of native languages, cultural practices, and spiritual
beliefs. This loss of cultural identity has had severe psychological, social, and spiritual
ramifications for these groups, which are attempting to recover, revitalize, and protect their
distinct cultural legacy in the face of persistent societal pressures and historical tragedy.
Reference:
https://www.npr.org/2021/11/02/1051146572/forced-relocation-native-american-tribes-
vulnerable-climate-change-risks
King, T., Cardinal, T., & Highway, T. (2010). Our story: Aboriginal voices on Canada's past. Anchor
Canada.