Characteristics:

• Lucy is a young Indigenous woman and a mother, shaped by the trauma of residential schools. She is strong-willed but deeply wounded, struggling to heal while caring for her child (with Kenny)

• She's very fragile - even though she tries to seem resilient.

• Maisie takes care of her,

• Development and Final Fate: She fights for stability but faces immense hardship, including poverty and systemic barriers. Her story highlights the lasting scars of colonial oppression.

• Importance in the Novel: Lucy represents the generational trauma of residential schools and the resilience of Indigenous mothers. Her journey emphasizes the challenges of rebuilding life after institutional abuse.

• Key Quotes:

  1. "She held her baby close, whispering promises she wasn’t sure she could keep."

  2. "The past clung to her like a shadow, but she walked forward, step by step."

Escaped the residential school, following the distraction caused by Howies beating. He flees and meets his uncle, which reconnects him with his mother. They and up living together, however the mother is a drunk and cannot sustain a bearable relationship with Kenny. So he ends up moving out, and works from day day.

• gentle, kind-hearted, and protective of those he cares about

• Deeply affected by his time in residential school, struggles to express his pain

• Seeks love and belonging but is haunted by trauma

Development and final fate:

• Kenny leaves residential school and attempts to build a life in Vancouuver

• Struggles with instability, poverty and emotional wounds from his past

• Ultimatly his unresovled trauma leads to his tragic and untimely death, symbolzing the systemic failures faced by surviovers

Importance in the novel:

• Represenst the long term effects of residential schools and the difficulties of healing

• highligtes the lack of support for survivors, particularly young men, after they leave the system.

• His fate is a reminder of real-life struggles of indigenous survivors

• Through Kenny, the novel critiques the colonial systems that left so mange indigenous youth vulnerable and alone.

2-3 key quotes/passages from the novel:

• "He had never known a place where he truly felt safe, not even his own mind"

• "the past didnt just fade away. it followed you, lived in your bones, whispered in your dreams"

We are firstly introduced to Maise, as Lucy's long lost friend. She used to attend the missionary school with Lucy, but was sent out to "freedom" the year prior to Lucy's 16th birthday - now she's like Lucy's big sister guiding her through the "Real World". In that way, we can call her very resilient and independent and caring.

Emotionally detached: When she had gotten the oppurtunity to go back home and had reconnected with her family. Instead of missing the love and connection from family members, she grew disgust/discomfort for it - she felt like her parents were "strangers" - roleplaying her family ( although she liked them) So she left. (p. 59 nederst)

This is further illustrated through her relationship with Jimmy - who she fears to commit to. She continuously cheats on him, and gaslights hi ( when he becomes suspicious) emotionally abuses him, although she feels the opposite. She has grown scared of love ( p.65-66)

selfdestructive - this is shown in her way of living a very mediocre life - commitment issues ( she becomes a prostitute - in a way that's her way of punishing herself and relive through her trauma)

• That's about her coping mechanism.

Development and final fate:

She ends up committing suicide - as her breakup with Jimmy, and her final state ( prostitute) becomes too unbereable for her)

Importance in the novel:

• Fate: Dies by suicide.

• Details: Maisie’s life is marked by severe trauma and loss. Despite attempts to heal, the weight of her experiences becomes too much. Her death is deeply tragic and highlights the devastating psychological scars left by residential schools.

2-3 key quotes/passages from the novel:

Clara becomes Lucy's close friend after they have been at the same residential school, and worked at the same hotel. She ends up working with the AIM ( american indian movement) with her dog John Lennon

She has a strong character and doesn't tolerate any disrespect from anyone (beating up her boss, for disrespecting lucy)

She's helpful and strong willed : Helps Lucy escape from the welfare check, worked as a intermediary for indian sellers and white buyers, and has a fake id.

Resilient

Development and final fate:

• Fate: Becomes a spiritual leader and community activist.

• Details: Clara dedicates her life to activism and community healing. She runs a support house for Indigenous youth and reconnects with her cultural and spiritual roots, becoming a beacon of hope.

Importance in the novel:

2-3 key quotes/passages from the novel:

Howie was the boy who got beat up by "Brother" at the residential school - he ended up fleeing with his family to the US ---> returned, to seek revenge from "Brother. He was jailed for the attempted murder of "Brother" , thus he spends 5 years in jail. When coming out he does not only feel different, but has grown strong feelings of resentment towards Christianity ( hence, stealing the golden crucifix and attempting to sell it at the pawn shop/ which gets him arrested for the second time )

Characteristics:

-He seems very vigilant (p.174 "All the reflexes born of five years in prison jumped up as though i were still there. Instinctively i had taken Connie's Arm as we walked in and she now pulled it away, shaking it slightly. "Sorry. Old Habits i get tense"

-Determined: We can call him determined;

-him going back years later to "kill" brother

-him cleaning until the place is completely spotless because "the job isn't done if it's not done well"

Development and final fate:

• Fate: Continues to struggle but begins a journey of healing.

• Details: Howie grapples with deep trauma and anger, which leads him into conflict with the law. However, by the end, he starts therapy and begins to face his past, suggesting hope for his recovery.

Importance in the novel:

Howie is referred to many times in the previous chapters ( By Kenny, Wilfred (Lucy's older brother) in this way we can say that he serves to remind many of the escapees of the trauma they had lived through.

2-3 key quotes/passages from the novel:

"Fuck them, How many lives, besides hers and mine were broken down like garbage in the name of this cross?" (P.181 second paragraph)

She feels resentment towards Kenny (Her father) for having left them/ neglecting them in their childhood.

She still looks at him in a very mild manner - as he still attempts to be part of their life economically (He sends money to the mother occasionally)

Her knowledge of his trauma at the residential schools - makes her ease her idea of him "He wouldn't have been the same if he hadn't gone through that"

-There are many significant themes in the novel.

• Theme 1 : "Survivorship and Resillience/Trauma "

  -This is said as the novel follows five Indigenous characters who struggle to rebuild their lives (with no money or support elsewhere) after enduring abuse and trauma in residential school.

• Trauma is mentioned as a theme as all the characters have had to suffer through mental consequences as a result of their time in the residential schools. (PTSD)

  
  

• Theme 2: "Oppression"

  -Referring to the abuse and discrimination the indigenous characters experienced at the residential schools.

  
  

• Theme 3: "Friendship and Community/Culture"

• As the five main characters form deep bonds with one another through out the story - supporting each other when society fails them. We can say that, friendship is a very important theme in the story.

• Theme 4: "Institutionalized Racism"

  • The whole story is based around the Indigenous ethnocide (destruction of ethnic groups culture) - through violent assimilation programs.

    
    

    Because indigenous people avoided integrating themselves into "White American culture" they were looked down upon being seen as a threat to society.