One Native Life

In One Native Life, the power of words and names transcends their utilitarian function. Language and naming become vessels of cultural identity and mediums for reconnection. Wagamese elucidates the significance embedded in language and names, presenting them as living conduits that connect individuals to their heritage and the cosmos. In this understanding, the proper use of language is a moral responsibility: Every word and name resonates with the energy of the land, one’s ancestors, and the cosmos, acting as a thread connecting the material world with the spiritual. When Wagamese writes, “I became what he instructed” (123), he portrays the belief that language and names are not static; they have the power to shape one’s destiny and actions.

The Ojibway name “Wagamese,” translating to “man walking by the crooked water” (148), is not merely a tag but encapsulates the lineage, heritage, and the bond with nature inherent in the author’s identity. Such names provide individuals with constant reminders of their intrinsic responsibilities and connections to their community and the environment, as well as their role in their people’s ongoing story. Wagamese reveals that names are stories loaded with historical continuity and spiritual significance, a concept deeply rooted in Indigenous cultures.

Wagamese illustrates his personal experience with the power of names when he shares, “Elders grant them, as the carriers of our traditional and spiritual knowledge. […] They pray and meditate for four days, then offer you the name that comes to them from the Spirit World” (122). His own Indigenous name, Mushkotay Beezheekee Anakwat, translating to “Buffalo Cloud,” was given as an honor and reflects a deep spiritual connection. The name is more than an identifier; it is a directive, outlining his role as “a teller of stories, a communicator, a keeper of the great oral tradition” (123) of his people. This designation signifies the importance of storytelling in preserving cultural memory and identity, a task Wagamese does not take lightly, recognizing the “importance of perpetuating the tradition of storytelling into a new time with powerful new tools” (123).

In the realm of words, Wagamese portrays language as the fabric that weaves together the collective wisdom of generations. Storytelling, facilitated by language, emerges as a sacred act that binds the tales of yesteryears with the present, thereby underscoring the interconnected and cyclical essence of Indigenous existence. In addition, words are vehicles that carry forward the wisdom of elders and the teachings of the land. They are used in ceremonies and storytelling to evoke the spirits of creation, to teach lessons, and to heal wounds inflicted by time and historical trauma. For Wagamese, reclaiming and using the Ojibway language is a powerful act of decolonization and resistance, an undoing of the cultural disconnection forced upon his people. In the historical context of European colonization, Indigenous languages were systematically suppressed and marginalized, so speaking one’s ancestral tongue became an act of resistance and reparation. Wagamese illustrates this by embracing the Ojibway language, which acts as a key to unlocking the cultural chains imposed by colonialism.

Through this linguistic reconnection, Wagamese is not just reviving words; he’s resurrecting a silenced narrative. He brings to life the traditions, stories, and values that have shaped his people, ensuring that they are not lost to the homogenizing effects of a dominant culture. This resurgence of language as resistance embodies survival despite the cultural genocide that Indigenous peoples experienced. Wagamese’s use of his “native” language serves as a rallying cry for others who have experienced similar disconnection. It’s a reminder that their cultural identity is inherent and unassailable despite others’ efforts to erase it. Thus, Wagamese’s memoir goes beyond personal healing; it reflects a collective act of cultural resurgence, asserting that despite historical traumas, Indigenous peoples’ stories, languages, and identities will continue to flourish.