Renowned Indigenous authors Niigaan Sinclair and Thomas King have joined forces to create a powerful new book, “Inconvenient Skin: A Conversation Between Niigaan Sinclair and Thomas King”. The book, which was released on April 6, delves into the complexities of Indigenous identity and the ongoing struggle for reconciliation in Canada.
In an interview with CBC’s “As It Happens”, Sinclair and King discussed their collaboration and the important themes explored in their book. Sinclair, an Anishinaabe writer and professor, explained that the idea for the book came from a conversation he had with King, a Cherokee-Greek author and professor, about the challenges of being Indigenous in Canada.
“We were talking about how we’re often asked to speak on behalf of all Indigenous people, and how that’s a really difficult thing to do,” Sinclair said. “So we thought, why don’t we just have a conversation between the two of us and see where it goes?”
The result is a thought-provoking and honest dialogue between two prominent Indigenous voices. King, known for his wit and satire, brings a unique perspective to the conversation, while Sinclair offers a more academic and personal approach.
One of the main themes of the book is the concept of “inconvenient skin”, which refers to the constant struggle of Indigenous people to navigate a society that often ignores or erases their existence. King explained that this struggle is not just a historical issue, but one that continues to this day.
“We’re still dealing with the same issues that we’ve been dealing with for 500 years,” King said. “We’re still dealing with the same racism, the same ignorance, the same lack of understanding.”
Sinclair added that the book also explores the complexities of Indigenous identity and the pressure to conform to certain stereotypes. “We’re not just one thing, we’re not just one story,” he said. “We’re complex, we’re diverse, and we’re constantly evolving.”
The authors also discussed the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation in Canada, with King emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and learning from the past. “We have to understand that we’re all in this together,” he said. “We have to understand that we have to work together to make this a better place.”
Sinclair echoed this sentiment, stating that reconciliation is not just about Indigenous people, but about all Canadians. “It’s about understanding our shared history and our shared future,” he said.
“Inconvenient Skin” is a timely and important addition to the conversation surrounding Indigenous issues in Canada. Through their candid and insightful dialogue, Sinclair and King offer a powerful message of understanding, empathy, and hope for a better future.
