The major theme of this coming of age story by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve, is pride in one’s cultural heritage. Other themes include identity, respect, cultural conflict (tradition vs. modernity), and media stereotyping vs. realty. A Native American boy is proud of the image portrayed by stately TV Indians, but not so the reality of tribe members still living on the reservation. He is too embarrassed to invite friends home when his ailing great-grandfather comes to visit, and mortified at the prospect of having to wear the family heirloom (a sacred medicine pouch) he is about to inherit.
It is not until the boy’s friends meet and express admiration for his great-grandfather that he fully opens his mind to and begins to embrace his heritage.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (3,500 words)
a sacred medicine pouch) he is about to inherit.