In Leanne Betasamoskae Simpson’s Stories and Songs of Islands of Decolonial Love (2015), “caged” tells the story of giigaa bizhiw, nishnaabemowi for bobcat. I believe that Bizhiw represents the resilience and strength of the indigenous people. Although she is kept in a cage in the zoo, she manages to remain a strategist and a warrior who does not lose connection with her culture and ancestors. Her relationship with Nabaabak and love that she feels help her put the puzzle together and make the cage fade. The zoo represents the colonial attempts to assimilate the indigenous people, but its inhabitants are still able to demonstrate strength, resilience and resistance as well as importance of love and relationships.
The zoo as a whole can also …show more content…
Nabaabak’s presence changes giigaa bizhiw’s outlook on life “but today rather than the monochrome of the slate gray… immediately she saw the intense, warm, red light surrounding his body” (99). As a result “she got comfortable with the good” and everything becomes easier for her. Despite the fact that the two are different species, they are both bound to the same circumstances and a strong relationship between the two is formed against all odds. This bond allows giigaa bizhiw to be able to “smile, laugh, and leave no hole to be filled,” even in the face of being subjected to oppression. Furthermore the connection with babaabak helps giigaa bizhiw to find the final piece of the “map” which allows an escape from being caged, and thus breaking free from the clutches of colonial control. The relationship between giigaa bizhiw and nabaabak is proof that decolonial love can exist enabling one to thrive and break free from the constraints of
The zoo as a whole can also …show more content…
Nabaabak’s presence changes giigaa bizhiw’s outlook on life “but today rather than the monochrome of the slate gray… immediately she saw the intense, warm, red light surrounding his body” (99). As a result “she got comfortable with the good” and everything becomes easier for her. Despite the fact that the two are different species, they are both bound to the same circumstances and a strong relationship between the two is formed against all odds. This bond allows giigaa bizhiw to be able to “smile, laugh, and leave no hole to be filled,” even in the face of being subjected to oppression. Furthermore the connection with babaabak helps giigaa bizhiw to find the final piece of the “map” which allows an escape from being caged, and thus breaking free from the clutches of colonial control. The relationship between giigaa bizhiw and nabaabak is proof that decolonial love can exist enabling one to thrive and break free from the constraints of