The Rez Sisters

One motif in The Rez Sisters is naming. There are several nicknames used among the sisters and, at several points, the inaccuracies of these nicknames are brought up. For example, Philomena is called “Philomena Moosemeat” (107) behind her back and to her face. Annie has to correct herself, saying “Philomena Moosemeat…I mean, Moosetail” when asking to borrow a record player from Philomena (115). Philomena is the comedic character, so this nickname is played for laughs, in counterpoint to a more serious name change.

Zhaboonigan is listed as such in the cast of characters (xiii); however, her adoptive mother Veronique argues that this is merely a nickname. Zhaboonigan is named Marie Adele (40), according to Veronique. While talking to Nanabush, Zhaboonigan mentions the origins of her nickname. Zhaboonigan, she believes “means needle” (48) and refers to the screwdriver that was used by the boys who sexually abused her. She is named for her trauma, and she names the boys who traumatized her at several points in the play: “Nicky Ricky Ben Mark” (48, 93). Her naming of her abusers becomes a metaphorical way of holding them accountable for their violence. In the absence of justice, Zhaboonigan nonetheless accuses and condemns her attackers.