There There

Tommy Orange closes the Prologue by emphasizing that this novel is one written from the perspective of Indigenous Americans, a group historically marginalized and traumatized by American colonialism and imperialism. What are we supposed to take away from the fact that the shooting at the powwow was perpetrated by Indigenous Americans against other Indigenous Americans, even though it was done in order to rob the powwow?

As you think about this larger question, consider the following:

• Orvil plans to dance at the powwow, Blue helps organize it, Thomas drums, and Dene has his storytelling booth. Each of their perspectives is different: What does this tell us about Indigenous Identity?
• Characters in this novel have experienced a lot of violence in their past. How might this inform or culminate in the events that take place at the powwow?
• The novel opens and closes with Tony. Why is this significant?

Teaching Suggestion: This is a really difficult question, but it can ultimately help students to think through two key ideas about Indigenous Americans’ experiences in the United States. First, that the history of trauma is rooted in American colonialism and imperialism and this violence echoes through time. Second, Orange also illustrates how Indigenous identity is not homogenous, not only in tribal identity but also in day-to-day desires to stay connected with Indigenous Identity and how to do so.