Final Thoughts

 When I chose to take this class, the justification was that it ticked off two boxes. First, it met a requirement for my degree as a Political Science major. Second, the description of the course seemed “intriguing”. I thought that we would dive into  catastrophic events and learn how we can (as a colonizer puts it) reconcile as much as possible. But this class is not merely a class teaching about events and making some who is learning just feel bad and not really take anything away. It is more than that.


Just going off what first comes into my head reminiscing on this term, this course taught us about the significance of an Indigenous voice. Before this class, the first thing I would probably think about if someone asked me to explain this concept is “let me search it real quick”. Now I can tell you why it is so important. Taking a trip back to Week 4 and 5, we read a book called “The First New Chronicle and Good Government” by Guaman Poma de Ayala. The Quecha nobleman attempts to rectify the mistreatment of the Indigenous in his address to the King. Linking Christianity to persuade the King and propel the perspective of the Spanish on Indigenous peoples. He is speaking about origins, speaking about beliefs, speaking about how they are put in certain positions because of the Spanish Conquistadors. But the question is who is Guaman Poma to speak for the Indigenous? Voice is critical in that we are looking beyond what is being presented but into the presenter. How can we truly understand Indigenous peoples if a figure whom is a spokesperson for this cause is possibly not worthy in the eyes of an Indigenous man or woman. 



We also dove into identifying the writing and at times orality when assessing Indigenous literature. This is something that actually can transition into future analysis for me personally when reading different types of literature. The concept to me means who is the author speaking to? Who is the author targeting or teaching in their text? The Popol Vuh is a great example of a text that I initially struggled with. I know a lot of classmates agree on the initial reading of it before class in that the text seemed very basic in the fashion it was written. Almost like poems and short stories throughout. But it is much more than that. Learning about these creators in Indigenous belief and the importance of maize was not meant for us to read in a UBC classroom. Rather, it was Indigenous literature, written by Indigenous, for the Indigenous. Having a thought process in knowing this is not intended for you to read prevents assumptions and critiques, allowing you to immerse yourself within the reading. I know it sounds cliche but thats what happened in my case. 


There is a lot more I would like to talk about but how cruel we are only allowed 500 words to do so.


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