Cultural Family in the Marrow Thieves

 

            In the novel The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline, a dystopian future of a world demonstrates the impact of extreme capitalism and climate change if left uncontrolled. Most of the world falls into madness, while the indigenous population stay sane due to their ability to dream. Throughout the novel, the characters become a family as they support and teach one another as they are being targeted and killed for their bone marrow.

 

            Throughout the novel, Miig encourages Frenchie and the rest of the community to interact through the art of storytelling in order to rejuvenate their cultural strength and avoid falling victim to the governmental lies being spread. As he first begins his story-telling, Migg states “[we] almost lost our language” and “[many] lost their innocence” (Dimaline 23). His statements during the first part of the story demonstrate the impact that previous governmental acts had on the indigenous population. However, as he continues, he proceeds to say “[we’ve] survived this before. We will survive it again” (33). The simple use of words such as “we” begins the creation of the cultural family that continues to support each other in the novel as the characters undergo many different trials and tribulations. 

 

            In addition to passing down historical information and stories, families function by passing down different forms of knowledge such as language. Throughout the novel, Minerva reminds the younger characters of their cultural history by teaching them various words and ideas. For example, Minerva tells the children the story of the “[rougarou], the dog that haunts the half-breeds” (66). Before beginning to tell the story, Minerva explains that it was a story that she and her sisters were told as they were turning into women. She calls all the children into the room to hear the story, and specifically tells the other children to bring the girls in. The relationship between the story being told to Minerva as a little girl and her passing the story on to the new generation of girls further explores the idea of the group being a family. It seems as though she now thinks of these children as her younger family members and knows the importance of passing down traditions and cultural ideas to them. 

 

            As the novel continues, the group of various ages continues to grow as a family and the characters begin to recognize the impact that they all have on each other’s lives. The story of Minerva’s baby plays an important role in this recognition. Tree explains that although Minerva did not give birth to the baby “[he] was one of us” and the baby “became hers” (93). The thought of the Indian’s without parents as leftovers that became Minerva’s foreshadows the deeper meaning behind this story. Throughout the story, the cultural family continues to grow stronger due to the influence of Miig and Minerva. As they continue throughout the novel, the characters genuinely become each other’s family. The passing down of both cultural history and language throughout the novel plays a large role in the building of the family due to the strength that the characters gain by supporting each other, allowing for their ultimate survival.