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A novel I thought of while reading “There There” was Eden Robinson's “Son of a Trickster.” I found it interesting how similar the two novels were in their characters' experiences and the themes they address. While “There There” takes place in California and “Son of a Trickster” takes place in BC, both novels share common social issues affecting Indigenous communities, such as identity issues, substance abuse, Generational trauma, and socio-economic hardships. Government of Canada websites report significant socio-economic gaps that Indigenous communities face such as disparities in income, housing, education, access to quality health care, and a higher incarceration rate. These issues resonate with the characters from both novels, as their struggles often lead them to face the justice system or similar systems, which mirrors the current overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the prison system.

What I find most interesting is that these struggles are not bound by international borders and the effects of colonialism are the same for Indigenous people in both the USA and Canada. While the Canadian government is actively trying to address and reconcile with the indigenous peoples, I have not heard of any news of the US government addressing these issues which are less visible in The USA’s politics.​​ This lack of attention in the US shows the difference between how each country is attempting to address the effects of colonialism. So the question I have is will the US continue to put these issues to the side, or will they ever put any prioritization towards reconciliation?

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1690909773300/1690909797208
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/reckoning-and-reparation-canada-navigates-past-mistreatment-indigenous-populations

You bring up excellent points about the shared struggles between Indigenous communities in Canada and the U.S., I also appreciate your mention of Robinson's book "Son of a Trickster" as it reminded me of the CBC television series "Trickster." A show based on Eden Robinson’s Son of a Trickster. Containing many of the same themes as the novel, such as identity, generational trauma, and resilience while celebrating Indigenous storytelling, I highly recommend watching the show.

Trickster follows Jared, a teenager living in a small, economically struggling community in British Columbia. Played by Joel Oulette, an actor originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Jared is caught in the chaos of family dysfunction, substance abuse, and the discovery of his own mysterious connection to the supernatural. As he tries to navigate these challenges, he learns that the Trickster, a figure from Indigenous mythology, isn’t just a story, it’s tied to his own identity in ways that are both thrilling and unsettling.

The show skillfully combines realism with supernatural elements, making it not just a coming-of-age story but also an exploration of cultural resilience and survival in the face of colonial legacies. Joel Oulette’s performance as Jared is phenomenal, he brings a depth and authenticity to the role, with his ties to the Red River Metis Nation and Cumberland House Cree Nation, which makes the story even more impactful. It’s also inspiring to see someone from Medicine Hat take on such a central role in a series that’s breaking ground in Indigenous representation on screen.

Trickster is more than just entertainment, it’s a visual and emotional dive into the lived realities of many Indigenous communities, told through a lens of cultural pride and storytelling tradition. If you enjoyed There There or Son of a Trickster, I would highly reccomend this show. It brings these themes to life in a way that’s engaging, thought-provoking, and culturally significant.

*It's FREE to watch through the link below!!!!

https://gem.cbc.ca/trickster