Crusted Snow Colonialism

Symbolism for Colonialism in Moon of the Crusted Snow In Waubgeshig Rice’s Moon of the Crusted Snow, Rice explores themes of colonialism, Indigenous resilience, and survival of the fittest through the lens of a fictional reservation in Northern Ontario. The dystopian novel dives into the struggles and hardships of one remote Indigenous community. One such difficulty involves the character, Justin Scott, a white man, who oversteps his welcome in the reservation and attempts to drastically change the ways of the Anishinaabe community. From beginning to end, Justin acts as a symbol of the settlers who arrived in Canada and stripped everything from Indigenous communities. First of all, he symbolizes the settler’s indifference and lack of respect towards Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, Justin’s intrusive arrival into the community can be

Justin Scott symbolizes the colonial damage that can be done when people of power intrude onto land, take advantage of others, and act only for themselves. Throughout Justin’s time on the reservation, he flawlessly encapsulates the colonizer mindset, believing that he is above the Indigenous people he encounters. As Justin first explains his arrival to the community, his lack of understanding as to why they may be hesitant in bringing him in reflects his ignorance towards Indigenous Peoples past in Canada. Justin states, “‘I come in peace’. Then he started to laugh, a mild chuckle, that quickly escalated into sharp guffaws” (Rice 100). As Justin assumes his presence will be immediately welcomed in the reserve, he displays a complete disregard for Indigenous strength and efficiency. This initial disrespect and ignorance towards the community is indistinguishable from the mindset that colonizers have historically held as they stole land from Indigenous