Essay On Urban Indians

Dominic Magats
Mrs. Slater
9 March 2023
Culture, Literature, and Identity

The struggles of indigenous peoples in North America have been long overlooked and ignored. There There by Tommy Orange is a novel that explores the struggles of the "Urban Indian" community, highlighting their resourcefulness and resilience in the face of cultural erasure and societal neglect. The character of Daniel Gonzalez serves as an excellent example of this concept, showcasing the challenges that "Urban Indians" face in navigating complex family dynamics and modern society. One of the core themes of There There is Orange’s idea of the “Urban Indian,” the Native-American nomad who had adapted to urbanity. Despite facing cultural erasure, the “Urban Indian” continued

“…I mostly see Oakland from online now. That’s where we’re all gonna be mostly eventually. Online” (Orange 192). In this quote, Orange portrays the idea that the "Urban Indian" community is transitioning into a more digitized world, relying on online platforms to connect and communicate with each other. This shift from physical community to a digital community is a modern adaptation that "Urban Indians" have made to survive in a rapidly changing world. It also underscores the idea that "Urban Indians" are using immediate resources to their advantage in order to thrive in urban areas. This quote highlights how the "Urban Indian" community is evolving and adapting to the modern world, using technology as a tool to connect and survive in a society that has historically overlooked and neglected indigenous peoples. ; Fact that he writes an email to Manny (dead brother) to mourn and speak with him rather than visiting his grave or pursuing a more tangible interaction. Instead, uses a digital communication (his own way), to do this. This inidicates that Daniel is much more comfortable interacting digitally and has made himself comfortable in such. Finally, through Daniel’s character, Orange showcases the resilience of the “Urban Indian” and their ability to survive in the face of cultural erasure and societal

In summary, Orange’s portrayal of family relationships in There There sheds light on the challenges that “Urban Indians” face in maintaining their cultural identity and navigating the complexities of modern society.
Moreover, Daniel’s use of digital expertise to profit from local crime illustrates the modern solutions that “Urban Indians” employ to address the unique challenges they face. In essence, Orange’s representation of Daniel’s actions emphasizes the resourcefulness and adaptability of the “Urban Indian” community, who continue to thrive and persevere in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, Tommy Orange's novel There There explores the concept of the "Urban Indian" through the character of Daniel Gonzalez. Through his experiences, Orange highlights the resilience of the "Urban Indian" in the face of cultural erasure and societal neglect. The complex family dynamics within the "Urban Indian" community and the challenges of navigating modern society are also portrayed in the novel. Furthermore, Orange emphasizes the resourcefulness and adaptability of the community, as demonstrated through Daniel's use of digital expertise to survive. In this way, Orange's novel sheds light on the experiences of the "Urban Indian" and their ongoing struggle to maintain their cultural identity in a rapidly changing world. Ultimately, There There