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Indian Horse by Richard Wagames tells the story of Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibwe boy who is forcibly sent to a Canadian boarding school. There he faces harsh conditions and cultural erasure but finds solace in hockey, which is a way to reclaim his identity and navigate past trauma The novel explores themes of cultural loss, recovery resilience and in the redemptive power of sport.

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The story begins in Saul’s early life, revealing his deep connection to his family and heritage. This relationship deteriorates violently when he is transferred to St. Louis. Jerome Indian Residential School. The school tries to strip her of her Aboriginal identity and physically and emotionally abuses her and other children. Despite this ordeal, Saul discovers a talent for hockey, which allows him to temporarily escape.

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As Saul hones his skills, he excels and becomes a standout. He participates in various teams, including a statewide one, where he faces racism and prejudice from competitors and spectators. His journey into the world of competitive hockey reflects his inner struggle with his traumatic past, as the sport that once provided an escape becomes a source of new conflicts and challenges

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The latter part of the novel focuses on Saul’s struggle with alcoholism as a result of his unresolved grief. Eventually, she seeks help and begins a healing journey. She reconnects with her heritage and finds strength in her cultural roots, demonstrating the continuing impact of colonialism on Aboriginal people and the importance of cultural restoration for personal and community healing

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"I was only eight years old and I understood that the residential school was designed to separate us from our families, our culture, our people. I had no idea how thoroughly they would succeed."

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"I was only eight years old and I understood that the residential school was designed to separate us from our families, our culture, our people. I had no idea how thoroughly they would succeed."

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This quote speaks to the primary function of residential schools, the erasure of Aboriginal culture and identity. Saul's understanding of the purpose of the school underscores the systematic nature of this cultural genocide and its profound impact on children taken from their homes.

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"Hockey became a way to fly for me. The ice, the stick, the puck, they were a means of transport. I could get away from the pain, the loneliness, and the darkness."

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"Hockey became a way to fly for me. The ice, the stick, the puck, they were a means of transport. I could get away from the pain, the loneliness, and the darkness."

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Saul’s view of hockey as a means of escape reveals how the sport is a temporary escape from his grief. It symbolizes freedom and empowerment in a life otherwise dominated by oppressive forces, and demonstrates the powerful role of individual desire in coping with trauma

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"Even in the game, where I should have been an equal, they made me feel small. The taunts, the slurs, they were like sticks breaking across my back."

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"Even in the game, where I should have been an equal, they made me feel small. The taunts, the slurs, they were like sticks breaking across my back."

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This story illustrates Saul's pervasive racism even in the supposedly equal sport. The stigma and treatment he constantly endures reflects widespread societal prejudice and challenges the notion that sport can be truly egalitarian

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"I had to find my way back to the beginning, back to the people and the stories and the land that made me who I am. Only then could I understand the full measure of my strength and my spirit."

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"I had to find my way back to the beginning, back to the people and the stories and the land that made me who I am. Only then could I understand the full measure of my strength and my spirit."

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Saul’s journey into healing underscores the importance of reconnecting with one’s roots and heritage. This process of cultural recovery is portrayed as necessary to overcome the trauma caused by colonial institutions, suggesting that true healing requires acceptance and celebration of one's identity and history

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Do you feel Indian Horse is, in fact, a story told in a way that is empowering and not preachy, threatening or guilt inducing? Why or why not?

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Do you feel Indian Horse is, in fact, a story told in a way that is empowering and not preachy, threatening or guilt inducing? Why or why not?