Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese is a powerful and moving exploration of Indigenous identity, trauma, and resilience novel of an Indigenous boy named Saul. The story is set against the backdrop of Canada's dark history of residential schools, where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and sent to schools to assimilate into European culture. The trauma of this experience is woven throughout the story, highlighting the lasting impact of colonial policies on Indigenous communities. As Saul grows up and confronts the legacy of his traumatic past, he is forced to grapple with his Indigenous identity and the impact of colonialism and cultural genocide on his community. …show more content…
Despite the abuse and trauma experienced by Saul and other Indigenous people at residential school, Saul is able to find solace and purpose in the game of hockey, which becomes a central theme throughout the novel. "I had been broken and shattered, but I had gathered my pieces up and come on anyway" (Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese). This quote encapsulates the resilience of Saul through hockey; he is able to tap into his own strength and resilience, as well as the strength and resilience of his Indigenous heritage. Saul's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of cultural identity to overcome adversity. Through his connection to his Indigenous roots, Saul finds the strength to face the challenges of his life and to confront the trauma of his past. "I was Indian. I was Native. I was Indigenous. I was all of those things, and I was beginning to realize that it was a strength, not a weakness. It was something to be proud of, something that gave me strength and resilience in the face of all the terrible things that had happened to me." (Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese). This quote also demonstrates Saul's growing awareness of his identity and the strength he draws from it, despite the trauma he has experienced. It shows his resilience in the face of adversity and his ability to find strength in his culture and heritage. The theme of resilience is explored throughout the novel, as in the ways in which Indigenous people have survived centuries of colonial policies and cultural genocide. Through their connection to their communities and their traditions, Indigenous people have found strength and perseverance in the face of trauma and adversity. This resilience is evident