The relationship that Nanabush formed with Marie-Adele and Christophe formed with Snow Falls was intended to further the spread of their spirituality, but in doing so, their actions became misunderstood by others. For Nanabush, the only two women on the reserve that are able to see him – Marie-Adele and Zhaboonigan – do not know who he truly is. This is shown when Marie-Adele first badgers him with questions such as, “who the hell do you think you are, the Holy Spirit?” (Highway 1.19). In addition, Marie-Adele even questions his intentions when she asks, “who are you? What do you want? My children? Eugene? No!” (Highway 2.92). Although he is important to traditional Aboriginals, the lack of recognition that the other characters have for him,
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In The Rez Sisters, Nanabush changes the mindset of one of the reserve women, named Pelajia. Originally, Pelajia was out of touch with her spirituality and had set her mind on leaving the reserve she had lived on her whole life, to move to Toronto. She describes her reserve as, “plain, dusty, boring, [and] old” (Highway 1.2). From her viewpoint, Toronto is a wonderful place that will fulfill all of her dreams. After Marie-Adele passes away, and Nanabush returns some spirituality into the lives of the remaining women, Pelajia has a different view on life. When her sister, named Philomena, asks about moving to Toronto, Pelajia responds with an excuse saying, “I’m not sure I would get along with him if I were to live down there. I mean my son Tom” (Highway 2.117). Pelajia even shows her desire to be the chief of the Wasychigan Hill Reserve. She expresses this when Philomena tells her that she would never be the chief, and she responds with, “and why not?” (Highway 2.114). Pelajia’s newfound desire to stay on the reserve and to become the chief, shows that she has moved away from her Westernized dream of living in Toronto. Rather, she wants to stay on the reserve, where she is more connected to her spiritual side. Nanabush changes Pelajia for the better by helping her reconnect with her
In The Rez Sisters, Nanabush changes the mindset of one of the reserve women, named Pelajia. Originally, Pelajia was out of touch with her spirituality and had set her mind on leaving the reserve she had lived on her whole life, to move to Toronto. She describes her reserve as, “plain, dusty, boring, [and] old” (Highway 1.2). From her viewpoint, Toronto is a wonderful place that will fulfill all of her dreams. After Marie-Adele passes away, and Nanabush returns some spirituality into the lives of the remaining women, Pelajia has a different view on life. When her sister, named Philomena, asks about moving to Toronto, Pelajia responds with an excuse saying, “I’m not sure I would get along with him if I were to live down there. I mean my son Tom” (Highway 2.117). Pelajia even shows her desire to be the chief of the Wasychigan Hill Reserve. She expresses this when Philomena tells her that she would never be the chief, and she responds with, “and why not?” (Highway 2.114). Pelajia’s newfound desire to stay on the reserve and to become the chief, shows that she has moved away from her Westernized dream of living in Toronto. Rather, she wants to stay on the reserve, where she is more connected to her spiritual side. Nanabush changes Pelajia for the better by helping her reconnect with her