Key Takeaways:
- Noopiming, a novel by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, offers a unique perspective on the experiences of the Ojibwe people and their connection to the natural world.
- The book challenges the traditional narrative of Canadian history and literature, which has often been dominated by white, colonialist voices.
- Simpson’s work is characterized by its use of non-linear storytelling, blending of prose and poetry, and incorporation of Ojibwe language and culture.
- The novel explores themes of identity, community, and resilience in the face of ecological disaster and colonialism.
- Through its characters and their relationships, the book offers a powerful corrective to the dominant narratives of Canadian history and literature.
Introduction to Noopiming
Noopiming, the first of Canadian writer-musician Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s books to be published in the UK, is a startlingly original work of fiction that challenges the traditional narrative of Canadian history and literature. The title, which means "in the bush" in the language of the Ojibwe people, is an ironic reference to Susanna Moodie’s 1852 memoir, Roughing It in the Bush; or, Forest Life in Canada. Moodie’s book, which was hailed as the origin of Canadian women’s writing, presents a colonialist perspective on the indigenous people of Canada, viewing them as "noble savages" or "lying, vicious rogues." In contrast, Simpson’s work offers a profoundly different perspective, one that is rooted in the experiences and traditions of the Ojibwe people.
The Storytelling Aesthetic of Noopiming
To read Noopiming is to be immersed in a storytelling aesthetic that is both challenging and innately familiar. The book is divided into 10 parts, shifting from prose to poetry and back, and is set in a variety of locations, including the city, the reserve, and the wild spaces in between. The narrator, Mashkawaji, is frozen stiff in lake ice after an unspecified tragedy, and is visited by seven characters, whom she identifies as parts of herself. These characters, each with their own unique voice and perspective, offer a nuanced and multifaceted exploration of the Ojibwe experience. Through their stories, Simpson creates a world that is both deeply rooted in the natural world and profoundly connected to the traditions and culture of the Ojibwe people.
The Characters and Their Relationships
The characters in Noopiming are complex and multifaceted, each with their own unique voice and perspective. Among them are Akiwenzii, the narrator’s will, who fishes through a hole in the ice and lives in a cabin near the reserve dump; and Mindimooyenh, the narrator’s conscience, who scours discounted food bins in grocery chains for "bargoons." The young lovers, Asin and Lucy, suffer from insomnia, which can only be relieved by sleeping out in the bush. Asin, who works for a community radio station, takes ornithology courses and watches campfires on YouTube, while Lucy learns to hunt, lamenting that "no one on the reserve remembers how to tan hides with brains." Through these characters and their relationships, Simpson explores themes of identity, community, and resilience in the face of ecological disaster and colonialism.
The Use of Language and Culture
Simpson’s use of language and culture in Noopiming is a key aspect of the book’s power and originality. The novel incorporates Ojibwe language and culture in a way that is both authentic and accessible, offering a unique perspective on the experiences of the Ojibwe people. Some words in the novel appear unitalicized and untranslated, with an afterword steering readers towards the online Ojibwe People’s Dictionary. This approach reflects Simpson’s commitment to centering the voices and perspectives of indigenous people, rather than pandering to the "white gaze." Through her use of language and culture, Simpson creates a world that is both deeply rooted in the traditions of the Ojibwe people and profoundly connected to the natural world.
The Transmission of Wisdom
The transmission of wisdom, or its interruption, is a key thread throughout Noopiming. Akiwenzii defies guards to carve new knowledge on the "Teaching Rocks" of Kinomagewapkong, noting that a sacred site must be renewed, not roped off as a tourist attraction. Akiwenzii fears that "maybe each generation is just a watered-down version of the last." Yet for Adik, the sound of the gorge "carving out rock" is the "language of the past talking to the present … the sound of hope." Through this theme, Simpson highlights the importance of preserving and transmitting traditional knowledge and culture, particularly in the face of colonialism and ecological disaster.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Noopiming offers a profound corrective to the dominant narratives of Canadian history and literature. Through its characters and their relationships, the book explores themes of identity, community, and resilience in the face of ecological disaster and colonialism. Simpson’s use of language and culture creates a world that is both deeply rooted in the traditions of the Ojibwe people and profoundly connected to the natural world. As the characters forge "flyways through the grief," they offer a powerful vision of healing and connection in the face of adversity. Noopiming is a remarkable work of fiction that challenges readers to rethink their assumptions about Canadian history and literature, and to consider the perspectives and experiences of indigenous people.
