1. How is the future depicted in The Marrow Thieves informed by the actual history of Indigenous peoples in North America? What message is Cherie Dimaline trying to convey to the reader through this similarity?

The novel takes place in a futuristic setting. French is a member of a group led by a Native American named Miig. Miig teaches the group about their history, noting the way they had once been forced to attend school, had their cultural identity ripped away, and as a result, the Native Americans set aside their traditions. Miig also notes that the damage done to their culture and traditions took generations to heal. Similarly, in this futuristic setting, the government once again establishes schools, not intended for education, but rather, to harvest the young peoples' dreams.

When the government first implemented the harvesting, French's father was a member of the tribal council. In response to the experimentation, the council arranged a meeting with government officials. This meeting is very similat to the historical situation in which Native American leaders met with white government officials in the 1700s and 1800s, hoping to establish a treaty. It is reminiscent of the past that the tribal council never returned, and Native American persecution increased. Native Americans are not seen as people, they are seen as a commodity.