Postmodern Parody: A Political Strategy in Contemporary Canadian Native Art

Abstract

There is a definite feeling of momentum moving through the Native community in Canada at the present time—a gathering awareness of empowerment sweeping over the northern landscape like an ancient spirit, penetrating the national consciousness. A unique set of historical circumstances and some hard-fought battles in the last few years have given aboriginal peoples and issues a high profile in the media and in the halls of government. Rarely a day goes by when Native concerns—about the environment, land title, sovereignty, or self-determination—are not featured on the nightly news. And politicians, finally, appear ready to take such concerns seriously and begin moving toward resolving past injustice and present inequity.

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Notes on contributors

Allan J. Ryan

ALLAN J. RYAN, a former professor of Native studies, is completing a dissertation in anthropology at the University of British Columbia on humor, irony, and politics in contemporary Canadian Native art.