I chose "People of the Whale" by Kiliii Yuyan of the Inupiaq Nation to include in my mixtape because of its representation of Indigenous worldviews and traditional practices.

In the photo series, Yuyan showcases the Inupiaq people's rooted connection to the natural world and their reliance on the whale for sustenance and spiritual fulfillment. The photograph series depicts the Inupiaq people hunting, processing, and preparing the whale for consumption; all of this highlighting the central role that the whale plays in their culture, tradition and way of life. The photos also showcase the Inupiaq people's closely bonded community, with images of families and elders working together and sharing their knowledge and traditions to younger generations.

In my analysis, I believe that "People of the Whale" serves as an important reminder of the rich and diverse cultures and traditions of Indigenous peoples. The photo series highlights the connection that Indigenous communities have with the world around them and their reliance on traditional practices for sustenance and spiritual fulfillment. It also showcases the importance of community and intergenerational knowledge sharing in Indigenous cultures, which allows them to keep ancient knowledge even today. Overall, "People of the Whale" is a powerful and thought-provoking series that offers a unique perspective on Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing.

I chose "I Know You're Sorry" by Leonard Sumner of the Anishinaabe nation to include in my mixtape because it illustrates the ongoing effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples.

In the song, Sumner addresses the issue of assimilation tactics and their impact on Indigenous language and culture. For example, he sings, "And I really wish I could adjust / I really wish I could have just / Listened with my heart and not my ego / I was fragile / Conditioned by the world to think my culture wasn't passed down" (Sumner). This demonstrates how Sumner, like many Indigenous people, has been conditioned by colonial society to believe that their culture is not valuable or worthy of preservation.

The song also highlights the lack of support for Indigenous languages, as Sumner sings, "So where's all the support / For Anishinaabemowin classes / Assimilation tactics / left no room for us to practice" (Sumner). This lack of support perpetuates the loss of Indigenous languages and furthers the assimilation process.

Sumner also touches on the issue of reconciliation and the responsibility placed on Indigenous people to "fix the broken hearts / Created by your policies" (Sumner) This reflects the way in which colonial society often places the burden of reconciliation on Indigenous people, rather than acknowledging and taking responsibility for their own actions.

Through the use of poignant lyrics, "I Know You're Sorry" exposes the ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples and the need for reconciliation and decolonization. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures and languages and the need for all people to take responsibility for the harm caused by colonization.

I picked "mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People): Welcoming the Newcomers" by Kent Monkman of the Cree Nation to include in my Indigenous mixtape because of its important symbolism.

For example, the painting depicts a group of Indigenous people standing on the shore, greeting European newcomers who are arriving in wooden boats. The Indigenous people are wearing traditional clothing and with their arms outstretched, welcoming the newcomers with open arms without a second thought. This symbolism of hospitality and generosity should be noted because it breaks the stereotype of Indigenous people being savage and hostile, a stereotype that has been told by European colonizers for centuries which ultimately caused a lot of the harm the Indigenous people faced throughout the centuries.

Furthermore, the painting serves as a reminder of the ongoing impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities. The European newcomers in the painting are depicted as being well-dressed compared to the Indigenous people are shown in more modest clothing. This contrast reflects the ongoing disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people today, and the ways in which colonization has always been a disadvantage for Indigenous communities and that they still are at a disadvantage even during this modern era.

Overall, "mistikôsiwak (Wooden Boat People): Welcoming the Newcomers" is a powerful and truthful piece of art that speaks to the true nature and history of Indigenous people in the face of colonization and breaks the stereotype of being savages. It also shows us that like in this painting, they are still at a disadvantage even now. It is important for all of us to engage with and think about these issues, and to consider how we can work towards reconciliation, justice and truth for Indigenous communities.

I included "Monster" by Dennis Saddleman of the Blackfeet Nation to include in my mixtape because of its powerful use of lyrical and visual imagery.

For example, in the poem, Saddleman uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a haunting picture of a monster to represent the residential schools. The monster is described as "a huge hungry monster / built with steel bones" and "built with cement flesh" (Saddleman 4-6). The poem also includes striking visual imagery, such as the monster's ugly face grooved with red bricks" (Saddleman 14), representing how the entire residential school its self is one big monster .

In my analysis, I believe that "Monster" serves as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing struggles and injustices faced by Indigenous peoples as well as how the residential school children saw the school. The monster represents everything the schools have to offer and the ongoing violence and oppression that Indigenous communities have faced and continue to face. The vivid and descriptive language used in the poem also serves to draw the reader in and make them feel the weight of these struggles felt in the residential schools. 

Overall, "Monster" is a thought-provoking and powerful poem that encourages readers to stand together with Indigenous communities and work towards a more just and equal society while remembering the struggles that they faced in the past.