A New Voice in Native Literature
Sasha LaPointe, a Coast Salish author, has once again captivated readers with her new collection of essays, ‘Thunder Song.’ Following her 2022 memoir ‘Red Paint,’ which delved deep into trauma and healing from an indigenous perspective, LaPointe now extends her focus to collective healing in a world marked by colonization, structural racism, and a global pandemic.
Personal Narratives with Political Resonance
‘Thunder Song’ is a compilation of sensitive meditations and powerful observations, anchored in personal experiences but committed to political activism. One of the central essays in the collection describes how LaPointe’s great-grandmother, a Coast Salish elder, persuaded a composer to create a symphony based on Chief Seattle’s orations. Through these essays, LaPointe underscores the importance of music and art as vehicles for collective healing in times of crisis.
Reclaiming Erased Histories
Set against the backdrop of Seattle, built on ancestral Coast Salish tidal lands, LaPointe’s essays like “Reservation Riot Grrrl” critique the whiteness of the Seattle music scene, offering a necessary corrective to colonialist histories. Her essay “Tulips” is a profound exploration of the flower’s symbolism, reinterpreting it in the context of settler colonialism. With essays like “Swan Creek” and “Basket Woman,” LaPointe intertwines personal grief with communal loss, highlighting the enduring need for safety and recognition among indigenous women.
A Dynamic Voice for Change
‘Thunder Song’ unequivocally establishes Sasha LaPointe as a dynamic and emergent voice in Native arts and literature. By blending personal narrative with political activism, LaPointe argues that collective art and activism, born from love and resilience, are essential medicines for healing our world. Her work continues to shine a light on indigenous identity and the ongoing struggle for recognition and justice.
