The Sand Creek Massacre
The Sand Creek Massacre is symbolic of the way that Native Americans in the United States were treated throughout much of its history. Native Americans were displaced from their lands by Europeans who immigrated to the United States; they were massacred, killed, and ultimately sent to reservations, where they were likewise treated poorly. This underscores the generational trauma of each of the characters in the novel.
Feathers
Feathers, which are exceptionally prominent throughout the novel, are symbolic of the spiritual growth, freedom, and connection many of the characters experience because of their experiences on the reservation.
Substance abuse
Many of the characters in the novel often must contend with substance abuse. Because of limited opportunities and other difficult circumstances, many Native Americans turned to illicit substances and alcohol, which many of them abused. This motif is reflective of the poor conditions most Native Americans had to suffer through because of mistreatment.
Reservations
Reservations are a powerful symbol of the way that many Native Americans were ostracized because of their ethnicity. They were sent to reservations as a way to control them and subjugate them even further, imposing harsh laws, rules, and regulations on them.
