I'm pretty sure this song is about indigenous peoples and their temporal dislocation. To most Americans, they're dead, a thhing of history, yet they walk among us, striving to hang on to culture in a 21st century that is still trying to undo the Indian despite cheap one-way multiculturalism. Thus, the idea of being stuck in a hospital, dying under glass that brings to mind the observation of mere artifacts. It also captures the conflicted emotions about whether people want validation of their existence, or whether the BIA and other people ever will.. or can, give a damn.
I'm pretty sure this song is about indigenous peoples and their temporal dislocation. To most Americans, they're dead, a thhing of history, yet they walk among us, striving to hang on to culture in a 21st century that is still trying to undo the Indian despite cheap one-way multiculturalism. Thus, the idea of being stuck in a hospital, dying under glass that brings to mind the observation of mere artifacts. It also captures the conflicted emotions about whether people want validation of their existence, or whether the BIA and other people ever will.. or can, give a damn.