42 pages • 1 hour read
Patti LaBoucane-Benson, Transl. Kelly MellingsA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Summary
Background
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Character Analysis
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Tools
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses violence, substance abuse, and abuse of Indigenous people.
“Some of our people still struggle with addictions, living in pain and confusion. There are not many choices. Look what it did to our families.”
In this passage, the narrator introduces one of the themes of the novel: Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism. The graphic novel explores the way addiction and suffering are inflicted on Indigenous lives, passed down through generations as a consequence of colonial policies.
“‘What the f#@$? Whose baby is it?’
‘Are you kidding me? It’s your baby!’”
Pete reacts violently upon learning of Crystal’s pregnancy. He accuses her of infidelity and forces her out of the car, unknowingly repeating the actions of his father toward his mother in a manifestation of intergenerational trauma. The fact that she answers his question with an immediate question represents their struggles to find common ground and embody their parental roles.
“Look what I made for you! Happy birthday, Pete!”
Joey, Pete’s younger brother, is portrayed as sweet and innocent in this interaction. He offers Pete a handcrafted birthday card, creating a striking contrast to the violence that permeates their lives and conveying the theme of The Importance of Community and Family Bonds.
“‘Can I do anything to get my son back?’
‘Considering your history…this is the best choice for him.’”
Because she is experiencing addiction, Bernice is compelled to give the government of Alberta permanent guardianship of her son, Joey. This situation mirrors the historical practice of Indigenous children being forcibly separated from their families and placed in residential homes. LaBoucane-Benson emphasizes this through the double meaning of the word “history,” meaning both Bernice’s personal past and her heritage.
“Joey Carver permanent guardianship order. Mom’s a crack addict and there is no way she can get her act together in a month. So I think you can plan to have his bed filled for a while.”
Joey is relocated to a group home. His situation exemplifies the impact of intergenerational trauma—his experiences with the consequences of his mother’s addiction and his brother’s violent behavior. His lack of agency in this situation is evident in the harsh language used by the government official, who judgmentally defines Bernice by her disease (“crack addict”) and Joey as a body filling a bed.
“‘Word on the street is that Frank found Joey. We’ll look out for Joey if you take care of some business for us’
‘I’m in. As long as no one lays a finger on Joey.’”
This interaction between Pete and a fellow inmate highlights his profound concern for his younger brother, Joey. Joey is grappling with the effects of intergenerational trauma, following in his brother’s footsteps, and Pete is determined to shield him from harm. However, by affiliating himself with a violent jail gang, Pete perpetuates a cycle of violence.
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Pete.”
Amidst a relentless cycle of violence, Elder Jim introduces a new concept: There is an alternative path. This concept shines as a beacon of hope in the darkness, conveying the central theme of The Possibility of Healing and Personal Growth. Eventually, Jim inspires Pete to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma and embark on a healing journey.
“We start each day of the program with a purification smudge.”
As the program leader, Elder Violet recognizes the significance of spirituality in the healing process. She performs spiritual ceremonies, such as the purification smudge, to allow the men to reconnect with Indigenous culture—a pivotal aspect of their healing journey.
“Everyone is grateful there are so many wild animals. The children are enjoying themselves. You look back to your tribe, and everyone is happy.”
During the visualization exercise on day two of the In Search of Your Warrior Program, Elder Violet asks the participants to picture their ancestors before the Europeans came to America. This exercise aims to help them reestablish a connection with their heritage, which they might not otherwise take pride in, conveying the theme of Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism. The simple diction underscores the exercise as a visual one encouraging the participants’ imagination to fill in the blanks.
“Children grew up without feeling the love of their mothers and fathers, and the kindness of their grandparents. They learned to hate the Indian inside themselves. They didn’t learn to be parents and instead just passed on their hurt to their children. This is the burden that many of our parents and grandparents have carried.”
Elder Violet, serving as a mentor and guide, imparts valuable teachings to the program participants. On the third day of the program, during the sweat lodge ceremony, she provides an explanation of Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism. Her teachings enable the men to gain an understanding of these complex issues, empowering them to break free from their grip. LaBoucane-Benson uses stark, simple language to portray Violet’s speech, removing innuendo or embellishment to convey the brutal truth of the matter.
“It’s hard to forgive ourselves and forgive the people who have harmed us. But if we are going to figure out what our purpose is, we can’t be chained down by our anger, shame, and rage.”
Here, Elder Violet conveys The Possibility of Healing and Personal Growth. She underscores the idea that, despite the challenges posed by intergenerational trauma, it is possible to break the cycle through a transformative healing journey, like the one provided by the In Search of Your Warrior Program. The metaphor of the “chain” represents the violence and restrictions of colonialism out of which the participants must break.
“The way our communities were set up was like a circle. In the middle of that circle were children. Around those children were the Elders, who would teach them. Around the Elders were the women. Keeping the fire burning, for all of us. And we were the outside circle—ensuring the safety of everyone inside. We were warriors.”
Elder Roy's explanation of how Indigenous communities were traditionally organized, compared to the isolation the men currently experience, underscores The Significance of Community and Family Bonds. The phrase “the outside circle,” from which the book derives its title, represents the crucial role that men had in safeguarding their community.
“How many single moms are out there on their own and on welfare because no dad has stepped up to the plate?”
Elder Roy addresses the contemporary problems stemming from Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism. He uses a rhetorical question, and this prompts Pete to think. Through this, Pete begins to empathize with his mother, who was abandoned by his father. This understanding allows him to see the roots of her issues and refrain from blaming her.
“‘Can I come by and see you?’
‘We got nothing to talk about.’”
After his mother’s funeral, Pete rejects the opportunity to meet with Uncle Ray. He harbors pain and resentment because his uncle wasn’t able to find Bernice in time and help her. LaBoucane-Benson uses grammatical vernacular—“we got nothing”—to not only create a sense of verisimilitude but also portray a flat tone; Pete uses a minimal number of words to convey his point, emphasizing the fact that he has little to say to Ray.
“But the truth is I am no better than my father. I got my girlfriend pregnant just before I went to jail. I accused her of sleeping around and kicked her out of my car. I left her alone, with no support. Just like my mom.”
In this passage, Pete comes to recognize the profound impact of Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism as he realizes that he has followed in his father’s footsteps and abandoned his pregnant girlfriend. This understanding marks a significant milestone in his healing journey. The final sentence is monosyllabic and brief to highlight the profundity of his realization: there is no space to linguistically sweeten the idea.
“I think you know what you need to do. The next steps…are up to you.”
Elder Violet imparts a powerful message to Pete, emphasizing his ability to take control of his own life and work toward personal growth. The tripled repetition of “you” in this simple speech emphasizes the notion that Pete’s healing journey is now in his own hands.
“‘Uncle Ray’s come to visit me a few times. Asked if I wanted to visit you!’
‘Hey, Pete. Thanks for letting me visit. It means a lot.’”
Pete’s character development becomes evident as he welcomes his uncle Ray’s visit—his previous resentment has transformed into an openness to reconnect with his family. This unexpected family reunion signifies The Importance of Community and Family Bonds.
“The man took all of us away that day…my brothers, John and Paul, your mom, Bernice, and our sister, Lily. They even took James, the baby. Mom was crying, begging for her children.”
In this passage, Uncle Ray tells Pete and Joey the tragic story of their family—their mother, like many other Indigenous children, was separated from her family at a tender age. The image of the mother “begging for her children” reflects the image of Bernice begging for Joey at the beginning of the novel, highlighting the cycles of colonialist violence. This newfound knowledge helps Pete and Joey grasp the origins of the intergenerational trauma that has plagued their family.
“It may bring up feelings of fear, shame, and anger. I ask that you take a deep breath and hold it. Allow yourself to feel fear. Then slowly breathe out and let that anger and tension go.”
A crucial part of healing, Elder Violet explains, involves fully experiencing one’s emotions. This is a critical element in Pete’s journey toward healing and his subsequent coming-of-age. The focus on breath represents the possibility for renewed life following the death and violence throughout the novel.
“Rage and hate are like masks, covering the people we really are. We’ve worn them to survive. These masks have allowed us to hurt other people and feel nothing.”
Throughout the novel, Pete is frequently depicted wearing a red and white mask. In this passage, Elder Violet elucidates this symbolism: the mask is a representation of the anger and hatred that conceal Pete’s true self, acting as a form of self-protection.
“How am I supposed to know who I am? All I ever wanted was to be a gangster. Now, who knows?”
In the wilderness, Pete is meant to create a connection with his inner self and shed his previous mask of anger. However, he experiences an identity crisis. With his gangster identity no longer defining him, he grapples with not knowing who he truly is. His dream of being a “gangster” highlights the individuality inherent in this goal—that is, he does not dream of being in a gang and having a community but rather being the active individual within that gang. LaBoucane-Benson hence suggests that part of Pete’s healing stems from understanding The Importance of Community and Family Bonds.
“Your spirit name is ‘Waking Bear.’ The bear I saw last night was your protector. He came to visit and make himself known. What I understand is that he has woken up from a long winter sleep.”
Elder Violet bestows Pete with his spirit name and explains that the bear he encountered the previous night is his protector. Just as the bear has awakened, Pete’s authentic self has also come to life. Pete’s spirit name, Waking Bear, symbolizes his new, healed self.
“Whatever. I don’t owe you anything. I’m not your b!%*# anymore.”
Pete’s response to Frank demonstrates his personal growth: He no longer wishes to be involved in the gang’s illegal activities. However, his instinctive use of profanity when speaking to the gangster illustrates the vicious cycle of violence that threatens to pull Pete back.
“‘Crystal? It’s me, Pete.’
‘What do you want?’
‘I…uh…just want to talk to you. About our baby.’”
Pete seeks reconciliation with Crystal, marking a pivotal moment in which he breaks the cycle of intergenerational trauma and ensures that his daughter will have a father in her life. This demonstrates the significant progress that he has made in his healing journey, and his hesitancy highlights the fact that he is pioneering in doing so: He does not have familial scripts on which to rely.
“That was twelve years ago. And now I’m here, running the program. Some days, I can’t believe it.”
The narrative flashes forward to the present, with Pete now running the In Search of Your Warrior Program. He uses his personal journey as an inspiring testament to The Possibility of Healing and Personal Growth—once a troubled program participant, he is now a program leader. His transformation serves as a beacon of hope, showing the men that they, too, can heal.