The Grass Dancer

The grass dancer is a motif that appears throughout the narrative, with multiple characters appearing as a grass dancer. Red Dress describes the grass dancer as “dancing a rebellion” (331). Historically, the grass dancer triumphed over enemies in intertribal warfare. In the novel, the enemies faced are different for each character who appears as this figure.

Pumpkin the character who introduces the grass dancer motif. Her choice to dress as a grass dancer shows both her commitment to cultural continuation and evolution. As it is a traditionally male outfit, her defiance of gender norms symbolizes her generation’s ability to embrace Indigenous identity in new era. This demonstrates a triumph over colonization, making Pumpkin a metaphoric warrior against genocidal forces of the past.

Harley’s initial inability to perform as a grass dancer reflects his inability to identify his role in his family and community. Only by forging this connection with the past can he understand his place in the present and become triumphant in his personal battle of identity. It is then that he learns the grass dancer’s purpose and is able to sing the honor song as a warrior triumphant against his own trauma.