The Outside Circle

Joey Carver is Pete’s younger brother and the novel’s deuteragonist. Joey is portrayed as young and innocent—a stark contrast to the violent environment surrounding him. At the beginning of the novel, he presents Pete with a handcrafted birthday card, a heartfelt expression of his affection for his older brother. The card features a drawing of the two brothers with the initials TW in the background, signifying the perpetual presence of violence in their lives.

Through Joey’s role in the story, LaBoucane-Benson paints a picture of the state’s systemic failings of Indigenous children—he lacks agency and must face the consequences of intergenerational trauma despite his youth and innocence. He is taken into custody and placed in a group home after Pete shoots Dennis, an experience that proves to be challenging for him. Joey unwittingly ends up following in Pete’s footsteps, echoing his brother’s choices—he becomes entangled with Pete’s former gang and is arrested after an altercation with Frank. This underscores the cycle of trauma within the Carver family.

In Joey’s narrative, the cycle of intergenerational trauma is disrupted when he reconnects with Pete and Uncle Ray enters his life. Uncle Ray goes to “see him a few times” at the family he’s staying with (85), becoming a supportive presence in his life. Joey’s character is not explored in depth following these events; rather, he represents the importance of family in Pete’s journey. As Pete comes to understand the importance of family bonds, he reconnects with Joey. Upon leaving prison, Pete rejects his former gang and drives away with Joey and Uncle Ray, conveying The Importance of Community and Family Bonds.

Elder Violet is the leader of the In Search of Your Warrior Program, serving as a mentor and a motherly figure for Pete during his transformative healing journey. Her age is not explicitly mentioned, but her grey hair suggests old age and symbolizes wisdom. She is a static character as she does not have significant personal development in the narrative, implying that her healing journey is already complete. Instead, she serves as a source of knowledge, elucidating key concepts to both Pete and the reader.

Having grappled with the enduring effects of intergenerational trauma herself, Elder Violet has a deep understanding of Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism. She shares her experience with the group, acknowledging that her parents were hard and abusive. After her own process of healing and rediscovering her cultural heritage, her mission is now to facilitate healing for others. She understands that, for Indigenous people to heal, establishing a connection with their ancestors is crucial. She invokes their ancestors to “help us heal, and to learn to love each other and love who we are” (55). During the graduation ceremony, she presents each man with a feather as a symbol of their program completion, gifting them with a connection to their cultural heritage and marking the culmination of their healing journey.

Elder Violet’s support and care are evident as she strokes Pete’s hair during his illness following his mother’s passing, calling him “my boy” and assuring him that “it’s going to be okay” (80). Moreover, she expresses her pride in Pete when he uses the feeling cards to articulate his emotions, reinforcing her role as a gentle, guiding presence.

Bernice Carver is Pete and Joey’s mother. She bears the weight of Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Colonialism: She was forcibly separated from her family at a young age and now has a drug addiction. She raised her children alone and is in a relationship with Dennis, who also has a drug addiction. The dire financial situation in which they find themselves forces them to sell their furniture at the pawn shop, ultimately leading to Pete shooting Dennis.

The toll of her hardships is evident in Bernice’s appearance, marked by a bruised face and frayed hair. Her fear of being alone is laid bare when her son, Joey, is taken from her, resulting in her plea: “Don’t take my boy! Don’t leave me alone” (20). Nevertheless, she selflessly recognizes that Joey might have a better life without her and makes the decision to give up custody of her son. Though she doesn’t get a positive character arc, Bernice’s tragic death serves as a catalyst for Pete’s realization of The Importance of Community and Family Bonds. Her funeral allows Pete to reconnect with Joey and meet their uncle Ray, an important step in his healing journey.