our home ON NATIVE LAND. real justice doesn’t kill people.

Hey everyone! I’m super excited to talk about this week’s reading “Deep Rivers” by Jose Maria Arguedas. The novel dives into the Peruvian Andean culture and surrounds the story of Ernesto, who is a young boy torn between two worlds. 

Ernesto’s upbringing is a blend of his indigenous Quechua traditions and Western education as he was sent to a church-run boarding school where he was supposed to learn how to fit into white society. Despite this, he finds himself longing for the indigenous life he left behind. 

Immediately my brain starts to make MANY connections to the Indigenous residential school system in Canada. It is crazy that the last federally funded residential school closed in 1996. THAT IS NOT THAT LONG AGO. The generational trauma that was created that still impact our indigenous population today is so immense and it is such a dark part of Canada’s history that is often overlooked. I am personally very passionate about this subject so when reading the story of Ernesto it really created lots of emotion and sympathy for him as a character. Arguedas explained how Ernesto struggled with this divide between two cultures, two languages and two entire ways of living. It impacted his identity, his belonging and his faith and was just so so similar to everything i’ve learned about the impacts of the Canadian residential school system. 

What I loved about the novel was Arguedas’ emphasis on the importance of music for Ernesto. I think it is beautiful to know that despite all of the struggles they face, there is always the ability to find hope in something that brings you joy and that you love so much. Similarly how Arguedas described Ernesto’s love for Pachachaca River, it is amazing to know that he was able to find the beauty in things despite the tumultuous nature of his life and internal struggle. 

I think this story is very important. It emphasises how Indigenous culture is marginalized and suppressed through Westernization. Dispute it all, the Indigenous peoples have remained resilient not only in Canada but all over the world. It is such an amazing thing to see people fight for their culture, especially since I am a person of color from a ethnic minority myself and my culture is extremely important to me.

I think this book allowed me to reflect on the fact that Indigenous peoples are displaced and marginalized in so many communcities. It also reminded me that the situation in Canada is STILL BAD. So many reserves and Indigenous communities across Canada STILL DONT HAVE CLEAN DRINKING WATER. CLEAN. DRINKING. WATER. Like in a Country that is so “multicultural” and “inclusive” it is CRAZY that some people, NATIVE TO THIS LAND, dont even have BASIC HUMAN NECESSITIES PROVIDED TO THEM. Sorry for yelling, im angry. You should be too. 

A discussion question based on this:

From where you grew up, are you a part of an ethnic minority? If yes, how has it shaped your experience? If no, what do you think the privileges are of growing up surrounded by your people and being immersed in your culture?