By Carly Smith
The Gatherings: Reimaging Indigenous-Settler Relations is a nonfiction piece that examines past and present relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers in Canada and the United States. The book begins by recounting the experiences of individuals who gathered repeatedly to better understand one another. These individuals were of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous descent and met for a series of weekends over a number of years in a way that respected Indigenous cultures and beliefs. As these gatherings continued, participants grew to learn from, empathize with, and challenge their peers. Some offered knowledge about Indigenous history, cultures and beliefs, while others admitted ignorance, acknowledging that they knew little about Indigenous history and the atrocities they suffered because of white privilege. While everyone had something different to bring to the table, all participants contributed honestly and offered genuine perspectives, ultimately helping strengthen the bond between all participants.
What follows after the accounts of participant experiences are four sections preceding an afterword by Dr. Frances Hancock, an academic in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland.
The Circle and Ceremony
Here, the reader learns about the importance of both the circle and ceremonies in many Indigenous cultures. Hager and Mawopiyane also touch on cultural appropriation, and how these sacred practices have and can be misused, and the ways in which it affects Indigenous peoples. Guidance is offered as to how to treat these practices with the utmost respect and how settlers can be involved without taking over or imposing their power.
Allies, Friends and Family
In this section, the participants who gathered for the series of talking circles reflect on how their relationships grew with one another. Bonds amongst Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants strengthened because they began to listen and understand one another. Empathy was a significant outcome of the gatherings, and as it grew, so too did trust. Additionally, this section further exposes the issue of white privilege and how it has dismantled connections, trust, and ultimately, coexistence between Indigenous peoples and settlers for so long.
How We Got Here
This part provides a brief history of the atrocities performed against Indigenous people by the first settlers, as well as the subsequent mistreatment of Indigenous people. Readers also learn more about treaties and how they have been, or failed to be, maintained. As the section continues, Hager and Mawopiyane begin to focus on the present day and offer examples of how reparations are slowly being made between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples (particularly white people), as well as what still needs to be done to make amends.
How It Could Be Different
Here, Hager and Mawopiyane reinforce that settlers would benefit from being reacquainted with the earth and what it offers and learn how to treat it more kindly. Readers are also presented with the idea that we need to empathize with and acknowledge Indigenous peoples, their ways of life, and their perspectives about the planet. The third focus in this section is on gathering spaces and listening and how these necessities will help improve the relationship between Indigenous groups and settlers.
Overall, The Gatherings: Reimaging Indigenous-Settler Relations offers eye-opening information that is beautifully tied together with thought-provoking and insightful stories from individuals who have initiated the work that needs to be done to strengthen the fragile relationships between Indigenous peoples and settlers.
Thank you to the University of Toronto Press for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.