Resource Extraction
What industry expanded onto Indigenous land in Bad Cree?
Oil extraction / oilfields
Which groups are most affected by violence in the community portrayed in Bad Cree?
Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people are vulnerable to violence.
What creature appears as the monster in Bad Cree?
The wheetigo, a creature from Cree stories, appears as the monster.
What were Indigenous communities promised in exchange for land access?
Jobs and economic opportunity
Why does Bad Cree link oilfield activity to higher levels of violence in Indigenous communities?
The presence of oilfields and man camps brought non-local workers into the area, increasing unsafe conditions and violence.
The wheetigo, a creature from Cree stories, appears as the monster.
It feeds on grief, fear, isolation, and unresolved trauma within the community.
What happened after the oilfields shut down in the book?
Land was abandoned, communities were left poorer and the Wheetigo was created.
Why does the novel suggest this violence is part of a larger pattern?
Because it reflects long-standing colonial attitudes and repeats across time, rather than happening as isolated incidents.
Why are the partnerships between oil companies and reserves shown as unfair?
Companies gained access to land and profit, while Indigenous communities were left with broken promises and long-term consequences.
How does colonial history help explain the violence shown in the novel?
Colonial systems devalued Indigenous lives, making violence easier to ignore and allowing it to continue without accountability.
How does resource extraction contribute to trauma in the novel?
Environmental harm + emotional/generational harm
Why does the novel suggest this violence comes from systems, not just individuals?
Because the violence is supported by industries, racism, and power structures that create unsafe conditions.