Super Savages and Sovereign Traces: Introduction to Indigenous Graphic Novels

Dr Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair a professor at the University of Manitoba is featured in a video by Trevor Greyeyes News. Niigaan talks about the course Super Savages and Sovereign Traces: Introduction to Indigenous Graphic Novels he developed at the University of Manitoba which explores the ideas of the graphic novel from the Indigenous perspective. Obviously there are the portrayals of Indigenous peoples in graphic novels by non-Indigenous peoples and the growing field of the Indigenous artist using the graphic novel to tell their own narrative and story.  The use of Indigenous peoples in graphic novels (comics) was also a means to consume the Indian, to use the image of the Indian to reinforce stereotypes. I wonder though if we can still find pride in those images of the warrior in the comics which allow Indigenous peoples to feel strong and recognize that their culture is so powerful and enduring. When the dominant culture must use anothers image to supplement their own what are they missing? What forces them to do so? Now many Indigenous artists and writers like Dave Robertson (Sugar Falls) are using the graphic novel to tell difficult stories about Indigenous survival. They take the academic and make it real. To Learn More (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmqvKNk4XDQ http://www.youtube.com/v/YmqvKNk4XDQ?autohide=1&version=3&attribution_tag=xDp3JMhcUFoCPTv77TSbPw&autoplay=1&showinfo=1&feature=share&autohide=1

Dave Robertson & Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story

A conversation with Dave Robertson (Cree) about his graphic novel Sugar Falls: a Residential School Story looking at the inspiring and tragic life of Betty Ross.

David Alexander Robertson is a Swampy Cree writer who penned his first book, an epic collection of poetry entitled "The Bestest Poems I Ever Sawed" in grade 3. He received his BA in English from the University of Winnipeg. His ambition to eliminate racism, sexism, and indifference by educating youth about history and contemporary issues inspired him to write The Life of Helen Betty Osborne, published in 2008, and the four-part graphic novel series 7 Generations between 2009-2011. He is currently working on a new graphic novel series. David lives in Winnipeg with his wife and four children, and works in the field of Aboriginal workforce development.

Scott Henderson is a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Fine Arts. Scott’s many projects include work as a colourist and illustrator for comics, portraiture, advertising art, and two WWII web comics for the Canadian Air Force’s For Valour series. Scott is also the author and illustrator of the sci-fi/fantasy comic, The Books of Era. Most recently, Scott illustrated the four-book graphic-novel series, 7 Generations.

To learn more (podcast and Interview)

http://archive.org/details/DaveRobertsonSugarFallsAResidentialSchoolStory

https://highwaterpress.com/shop-2/sugar-falls/

Dave Robertson  DRobertson@wem.mb.ca  


Citations