From "Playing Indian" to "Playing Ally": White Fantasies of the Sleeping Giant

a self-proclaimed expert on folk narratives, hosts a weekly podcast entitled New England Legends.It is his latest profitdriven venture, which also includes "paranormal investigations" and books on regional folklore."Connecticut's Sleeping Giant" was the title of his episode 258 broadcast on July 28, 2022.It entails a retelling of legends associated with Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut, a series of trap rock ridges and mountains that from a particular angle take the shape of a humanoid being in repose.Following an integrated advertisement for the podcast's sponsor, Nuwati Herbals, Belanger and co-host Ray Auger imagines a scene from the summer of 1422 at "the home of the Quinnipiac people, who have lived here along the coast and in the river valley for centuries."The duo report several hardships that plague the Indigenous group then narrate the following legend:Auger: When hard times seep in to their lives, the Quinnipiac people need only to gaze at this hillside, and repeat the story they've been telling for generations about the horrible giant that lies sleeping underneath that hill, and the good god that was looking out for them in times of trouble.Belanger: For as long as the Quinnipiac have lived here, they've had to contend with a menacing giant named Hobbomock.Auger: Hobbomock isn't necessarily the embodiment of evil, but he does like to get his own way.He also has a weak spot for oysters.Belanger: Oysters?Auger: Oh yeah.He's been known to lurk on the coast and eat every oyster he can find, leaving none for the local people.And if he doesn't get his way, he throws a temper tantrum.Just north of here, he once approached the mighty river.And stomped his foot so hard that it caused the river running through this region to change course!Several villages were flooded, and many Quinnipiac people were killed.Belanger: So Hobbomock is a big problem.Auger: A VERY big problem.Belanger: One day, after Hobbomock had eaten every last oyster on the coast, he walked north, to right here in the valley, where he laid down for a nap.Auger: That's when the creator-god, Keitan steps in to help the Quinnipiac.Now, because Hobbomock is a divine creature, Keitan can't simply kill him.But he sees the giant asleep there in the valley and seizes the opportunity.Keitan casts a spell on Hobbomock, so the giant will sleep forever.Belanger: The spell works, and peace returned to the region.Auger: Over the course of many years, grass and then trees began to grow over the sleeping giant until he was completely covered.Though it takes a little distance to get the right perspective, you can still see Hobbomock sleeping under this range of hills.And that brings us back to today.