Power Relations In Mourning Dove

Power relations could be anything that sets two things apart, whether that is the ability to accomplish something or act in a specific manner. This is what gives a certain group of individuals the power to interact or control other groups. This concept can be visualized by the relationship pertaining to that of White Settlers and Native Americans during the late 1700s and through to the late 1800s. Cultural influence in regards to the white settlers can bring many gains and opportunities stemming from political rivalries to the interaction between beliefs. The differences in cultures also act as a sort of wall that defines what culture is “superior” to one another. The culture of the Natives was ultimately altered due to the arrival of these …show more content…
A first hand example of this cultural change could be seen through the eyes of Mourning Dove, a Salishan Native woman, who witnessed directly how certain aspects of her life around her transformed as the enculturation process took hold of her people. This process would take on many façades throughout the gradual acquisition, beginning with education, then ranging from religion and beliefs to lifestyle choices, and ending with the inevitable engulfment of the once held traditions and understandings that made up these Natives. Within Mourning Dove’s community, Catholicism had brought extensive changes to their belief system. Before the arrival of the colonists, as a child Mourning Dove resided at home, taken up by her childish whims and relishing in the freedom she possessed. However, this came to an end when she was sent to missionary school. With the introduction of both missionary schools and priests came several alterations, varying from the interaction of neighboring tribes to the relationship between ancient religious deities and individuals. Father De Rouge, a well-known traveling priest within …show more content…
Simpson was the governor in chief of the Hudson Bay Company and took part in a pivotal role in merging both the HBC and the North West Company when the two were at odds on fur trading territory. His account provided information on the cultural differences that were apparent between the traders and the Natives with the final impression that there must be a change in the system for operations to run smoothly. Marriage between white traders and women of prestigious lineage from neighboring tribes would begin to be introduced into Native culture as a norm in order to keep the fur trade in a state of peace. Normally traders would take up at least half a dozen wives whom which would then perform trade with anyone within her close inner circle like friends or family members (Simpson, 134). Although women comprised a limited role within the trade itself, Simpson believed that they were only interferences or unnecessary complications that would distract the focus of the chief traders. He thought that the state and quality of work would not be up to par if these traders were not providing biased attention to the women. To further reinstate Simpson’s beliefs about these traders, the sight of women and children being toted around with the presence of pots and pans further agitated Simpson into thinking of these men as unfocused