Status Updates From End of the Wild

It’s as though Ian’s experience is intended to point out that historically the people of the tribes weren’t blameless. But how many people of Canada and the US today can say they are impacted negatively by this history? It’s not an equal comparison.

“Very little is truly wise or pristine, not anymore.”

“What would happen if every last bit of the earth was developed, civilized, and converted strictly to human use?”

I remember my supervisor commenting once about how offensive the elders of the Tulalip tribes found it to hear environmentalists talking about the “pristine wilderness” that supposedly existed prior to Europeans— ignoring the people that existed here as stewards and land managers.

“…a feral intensity to that smile that chilled Ian to the bone. Perhaps he had been unduly influenced by the savagery of their dance.”

I don’t get this author. He makes a point to share the history and culture of the Salish peoples (though I’m ignorant about accuracy). But then he uses phrasing that treats them as an “exotic other” and diminishes their humanity. Is this fetishism?

“Before meeting him she had been walking the docks for weeks looking for a boat, losing hope that anyone would let her join his crew.”


…”his crew”…. *HIS* crew… is sailing such a male dominated hobby/profession? Why is male the default?

“His voice had a nice lilt to it… a cadence that was a little bit of exotic mixed with the familiar civilized sounds of British Columbia.”

Oof… 🫣