Kiss Of The Fur Queen And Chacquete
In Kiss of The Fur Queen by Tomson Highway and Lightfinder by Aaron Paquette, storytelling by elders to a younger generation is shown to be a significant part of Indigenous culture and life. In both these novels storytelling portrays the lack of knowledge the younger generation have of their history, and how in some instances it can be an outcome of western influence. In Kiss of the Fur Queen, the Okimasis brothers Jeremiah and Gabriel are misinformed of the history of their village, and Aisling in Lightfinder has no knowledge of her family history. Jeremiah and Gabriel encounter Amanda’s grandmother Anne-Adele Ghostrider who informs them of the authentic story. Similarly, Aisling’s grandmother Kokum teaches her of the powers and history in
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Yet these two instances elicit very different results and reactions. In Kiss of The Fur Queen, the authentic version explained by Ann-Adele Ghostrider, is a true story twisted and misunderstood by the Catholic priests. The story of Chachagathoo is first revealed by the priest to the brother’s parents, and then passed down to Jeremiah and Gabriel. The brothers hear this rendition repeatedly throughout their youth. ‘Chachagathoo’ is mentioned in several occasions throughout the novel and in a vast majority of the mentioning’s as a warning story or with slight fear, as she is portrayed as a witch. When Ann-Adele Ghostrider tells this story at the campfire this elicits a very emotional reaction from Jeremiah who says, “Witch,” Jeremiah whispered. He had to get out of here, right this minute. “Witch,” He repeated, louder this time. “She was a witch. Chachagathoo was a witch.” His mind, his heart were on fire.” ” (Highway 246). Upon hearing the grandmother’s story he becomes enraged. This reaction from Jeremiah is a form of denial. This story that he is sure he had known his whole life has been a lie, twisted by the Catholic Church who does not understand the Aboriginal way of healing. The two brothers are not the only affected by this; his parents are the ones who passed down this twisted version of the event. He says, “[His] parents told him she was an evil woman.” (Highway 247). However he now knows that this is not true, they are all affected by the product of a Western
Yet these two instances elicit very different results and reactions. In Kiss of The Fur Queen, the authentic version explained by Ann-Adele Ghostrider, is a true story twisted and misunderstood by the Catholic priests. The story of Chachagathoo is first revealed by the priest to the brother’s parents, and then passed down to Jeremiah and Gabriel. The brothers hear this rendition repeatedly throughout their youth. ‘Chachagathoo’ is mentioned in several occasions throughout the novel and in a vast majority of the mentioning’s as a warning story or with slight fear, as she is portrayed as a witch. When Ann-Adele Ghostrider tells this story at the campfire this elicits a very emotional reaction from Jeremiah who says, “Witch,” Jeremiah whispered. He had to get out of here, right this minute. “Witch,” He repeated, louder this time. “She was a witch. Chachagathoo was a witch.” His mind, his heart were on fire.” ” (Highway 246). Upon hearing the grandmother’s story he becomes enraged. This reaction from Jeremiah is a form of denial. This story that he is sure he had known his whole life has been a lie, twisted by the Catholic Church who does not understand the Aboriginal way of healing. The two brothers are not the only affected by this; his parents are the ones who passed down this twisted version of the event. He says, “[His] parents told him she was an evil woman.” (Highway 247). However he now knows that this is not true, they are all affected by the product of a Western