The Rez Sisters

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A Forgotten Past The comedic roles of a character throughout a play are often used to make light of dark situations, Tomson Highway however, uses the comedic role to emphasize differences, lack of spirituality and a loss of memories in most characters. In the play The Rez Sisters, Nanabush serves as a significant God-like figure that uses its clownish and comedic ways to teach characters about nature and existence on earth. The cultural impact of the character in the poem signifies the loss of connection that the seven Rez sisters seem to have with their Great Spirit and with each other. Throughout the evolution of the play, the sisters, however, once again become connected to the disguised Nanabush, while also gaining a more vast appreciation …show more content…
The reserve is clearly beckoning a greater influence by “white culture” ideas. Due to the usage of the appeal that the sisters have in modern societies sources of entertainment, Highway brings fourth ideas of a collective reserve investing in exterior sources of entertainment apart from prior cultural ties. “I wanna go to Toronto (1. 1236) . . . [I’m] tired of this place . . . Mathew. Drunk. Again. . . . Nothing better to do. . . . fighting over some girl. . . . And the old stories, the old language. Almost gone…” (1. 1237) Pelajia and Philomena’s conversation brings up many supporting conclusions to the ideas about a loss of cultural roots and, a beginning in different ideologies. The behaviour of members on the reserve signify an outlook on foreign activities and traits not native to the reserve. Although the clashing of ideas and culture is slightly inevitable, the tone of the poem that Highway uses goes to suggest negative ideas about this fate. One major use of the role of Nanabush, is to signify the recovery of some old and traditional memories that have been diminished. While the character becomes more active when sought out by the sisters, the role goes to show the slow upbringing of a realization that the culture and old ways, must not be totally forgotten, but, must continue to …show more content…
The play brings an awareness to characters and readers about the clashing of different ideologies and cultures, and the controversial beliefs of the Indian people on the reserve. The purpose of Nanabush becomes apparent when the presence becomes more prominent. The sisters begin to realize that cultural roots were mostly erased from their lives when they became too caught up in “Western culture.” In the end, the sisters realize that the rez is a place that they should take pride in to make better, and that there is an importance to make a difference in some stereotypical ideas that are apparent in society. As Nanabush continues to symbolize the growth and relation to memories of the past, the Spirit begins to diminish the recent loss of cultural roots. Its once significant role and worthiness within the Indian people in the past, looks to become a priority again within the
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