Julian Brave NoiseCat, an author from Oakland, discusses his book We Survived the Night, describing it as a way to explore complex familial relationships. Speaking over Zoom from Surrey, British Columbia, and preparing for a baby shower, he shared his insights on this multifaceted work that combines history, mythology, memoir, and contemporary reporting on Indigenous experiences.

Read More

NoiseCat, a member of the Secwépemc Nation, aimed to create a foundational text for understanding Indigenous life in Canada and the United States. He sought to depict Native existence in connection with the land, placing the Canadian and U.S. governments in a secondary role within the narrative. Although initially intended as conventional nonfiction, the book evolved to include traditional stories and Indigenous knowledge.

Through his research, NoiseCat uncovered stories about Coyote, the trickster figure central to his culture, which he believes have often been dismissed as mere fantasy by mainstream perspectives. He emphasizes that these narratives hold significant value and shape Indigenous understanding of the world. In his book, NoiseCat characterizes his father and grandfather as manifestations of Coyote, weaving their stories into a broader tapestry of his family's and people's experiences.

The book opens with a poignant account related to his father, Ed Archie NoiseCat, an artist who faced personal struggles such as alcoholism and estrangement from NoiseCat and his mother, Alexandra Roddy. The story recounts Ed's dramatic beginnings in 1959 when he was discovered as a baby in a residential school's incinerator, a revelation that came to light during the making of the documentary Sugarcane (2024), which NoiseCat co-directed.

His relationship with his father improved during the two years they worked on separate projects together, allowing them to bond over shared experiences at night. NoiseCat's mother played a vital role in his upbringing, introducing him to his Indigenous roots and supporting his passion for writing. He remarks on the challenge of navigating predominantly white spaces in journalism and publishing to share Native stories.

NoiseCat's writing process is unorthodox; he composes wherever he can find the time, including in public spaces. He expresses a deep necessity for storytelling, stating that it is integral to his sense of living fully.