Theme Of Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

Characters are the backbone of a story that portray various themes which the novel Indian Horse sheds light on. The author, Richard Wagamese, communicates important ideas about family and tradition, and abuse and trauma through the stories of Naomi, Sister Ignacia, Virgil, and Father Gaston LeBoutillier.

Fred Kelly and Naomi embody the themes of family and tradition to the protagonist, Saul Indian Horse, assisting him in navigating his identity as an Indigenous person in a world that attempts to obliterate his culture. Naomi is chosen to represent the theme of family and tradition since grandmothers are the ones who instill family and traditional values in their grandchildren in Ojibway culture. She has a strong sense of pride and devotion

“Old Naomi fought against it, trying to throw the books in the fire. Their talks and stories can sneak you away as quick as their boats,” (10). As a form of protesting white culture, Naomi makes her case. To recognize traditional activities, “Each family had their own braid tied their special way so that they can be recognized in the rice beds. Each head of rice is tied with these.” She continues, “We make a ceremony out of the gathering. It teaches us to remember that rice is a gift from creator.” (25). Naomi shapes Saul's indigenous identity by instilling pride in their culture and beliefs through traditional activities. Fred Kelly also has an impact on Saul's new identity by assisting him in overcoming trauma through emotional support. Fred is keen to assist him in pursuing his hockey ambition, which is typical of family behavior. By representing a more modern approach to Indigenous identity, Fred Kelly pushes Saul to pursue hockey as a method of achievement in a white-dominated environment. "Just keep your stick on the ice and your feet moving. Time will take care of itself." (210). By travelling to God's Lake, Naomi teaches Saul the value of their heritage and customs, by

Sister Ignacia and Father LeBoutillier, the two main antagonists highlight the abuse and trauma that Indigenous people have endured for many years and the need for healing and reconciliation. Unfortunately, Saul had to let Sister Ignacia, a pernicious person, into his life. She was a nun in charge of the residential school where Saul is placed. By eradicating traditional values, repressing a group's language and customs, and requiring kids to adapt into white culture through education, she justifies her actions. Sister Ignacia's treatment of Saul is clear evidence of her conviction in the superiority of European culture over Native American culture. “Your Father is the heavenly father. You will learn that here. Your human father has nothing to offer you anymore.” She is in favor of changing the names of these indigenous children to remove their Indian component, except for Saul, whose name corresponds to the biblical meaning. Father LeBoutillier, on the other hand, was a representative of the Catholic Church, which was heavily involved in the Indian Residential School system, which subjected Indigenous children to sexual abuse, emotional torture, physical assault, and cultural genocide. He attended St. Jerome's as a Catholic Priest, exposing the institutional racism and colonialism that still affect Indigenous