Patriots By Emma Lee Warrior

By demonstrating the romantic nativity of the West’s outlook on Indigenous people, Emma Lee Warrior’s short story Compatriots dismantles the dominant view on Indigenous people, illustrating the ignorance of the West’s stereotypes. The romanization of the Indigenous culture results in generalisation of Indigenous culture, contrasting feelings between the west and the Indigenous, as well as patronising ideals. To begin, Lee Warrior breaks out of stereotypical archetypes of Indigenous people created from the westerners’ perspective. For instance, addressing the diversity within the Indigenous groups. As Hilda boldly assumes, Lucy has done sun-dances before, because it’s her culture. (Lee Warrior 50). However, Lucy tells her that there are “different
Due to their different upbringings “Flora and Delphine [are] not especially close” (56) and not like being near each other. The Indigenous communities are not free from their own troubles, besides facing colonialism, they also deal with their own personal issues. Although community is very important to Indigenous people, it does not mean that they do not face turmoil. Similarly, Indigenous people are inherently bad, heartless people. Even though Sonny, Lucy’s uncle gets into trouble “hav[ing] to leave town” (52). He still cares for Lucy and offers to carry her laundry, considering the baby’s condition. Sonny represents the stereotypical drunk troublesome Indigenous man, yet he is still able to care for others. He’s aware of the consequences of his actions. Illustrating that the Indigenous people are born bad people and have consideration for people even if they have nothing. Lee Warriors demonstrates through her Indigenous characters how inaccurate western stereotypes are. In addition, Hilda’s lack of knowledge and sensitivity about Indigenous culture represents