Paying the Land

Paying the Land is a phrase that means to offer something to the land.  It is also the title of Joe Sacco's newest graphic novel on the history of the indigenous tribes of Canada's Northwest Territories during the twentieth-century.  The Canadian government pursued a policy of taking the Indian out of the child by sending young children to residential schools far from their homes for ten months of every year.  This is also a story concerning extracting oil from native lands at their expense.  By convincing tribes to accept money or modern conveniences they became less dependent on their natural environment and more dependent on the government for survival.

Sacco traveled to northern Canada to interview members of the Deni tribe, a First Nations tribe who primarily live in the Northwest Territories.  He wanted to find out why they were disengaged from their culture.  Fracking is the main issue addressed in the book.  It has divided the tribe.  While it brings jobs and money, fracking destroys the environment.  Another issue is alcoholism and drug addiction.  Those tribe members who attended the residential schools no longer fit in with their families or tribe anymore.  The result is excessive drinking and an increased death rate from it.

Paying the Land is another great graphic novel from Joe Sacco.  5 out of 5 stars.