The Great Bear

Morgan’s homemade slingshot symbolizes adaptation and resilience. Initially, she struggles to use it effectively, reflecting her unfamiliarity with the traditional ways of life in Misewa. However, as the story progresses, the slingshot becomes a tool through which Morgan demonstrates her growing competence and confidence in her new environment.

The slingshot also represents the blending of Morgan’s past and present experiences. While it is a tool used for hunting in Misewa, its construction and use are influenced by her experiences and knowledge from her life on Earth. This symbolizes the merging of her Indigenous heritage with her contemporary upbringing, highlighting the novel’s emphasis on balancing traditional values with modern life.

Furthermore, the slingshot is a metaphor for empowerment and self-reliance. As Morgan becomes more skilled in using the slingshot, she gains a sense of independence and strength. This development mirrors her overall journey in the novel, where she moves from feeling disconnected from her Indigenous roots to embracing and integrating them into her identity.

Eli’s braid is a symbol of cultural identity and heritage. The braid is not just a hairstyle but a representation of Eli’s Cree heritage. It signifies his connection to his Indigenous roots and is a visual marker of his cultural identity. When Eli is bullied and subsequently cuts off his braid, this act symbolizes a loss of connection with his heritage, underscoring the novel’s theme of cultural displacement and the struggle to maintain one’s identity in the face of external pressures.

Cutting the braid also reflects the history of assimilation policies toward Indigenous people, particularly children. This act mirrors the experiences of many Indigenous children who were forced to abandon their cultural practices and appearances to conform to dominant societal norms, including forced haircuts. Eli’s decision to cut his braid, therefore, is laden with historical and cultural significance, highlighting the ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous identity.

The subsequent regrowth of Eli’s braid symbolizes resilience and reclaiming identity. It signifies a renewal of cultural connection and a reaffirmation of pride in Eli’s Indigenous heritage. This symbol is a reminder of the enduring strength of cultural identity, even in the face of adversity.

Morgan compares Eli’s hair to sweetgrass, adding another layer to the braid. Sweetgrass is one of the four sacred medicines in many Indigenous cultures, alongside tobacco, cedar, and sage. Braiding sweetgrass is imbued with spiritual and cultural meaning, often symbolizing the hair of Mother Earth and representing love, kindness, and respect. It is a ritualistic practice, a form of prayer and connection with the spiritual world. This practice reinforces the themes of respect for nature, gratitude, and the sacredness of the environment.