Problem
Book: There, There. Author: Tommy Orange
Orvil Red Feather is eager to know about his tribe's culture and traditions, and he wonders why his caregiver and great-aunt Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield doesn't teach him and his brother more about "being Indian." She tells him:
"Anything you hear from me about your heritage doesn't make you any more or less Indian. More or less a real Indian. Don't ever let anyone tell you what being Indian means. Too many of us died to get just a little bit of us here, right now, right in this kitchen. You, me. Every part of our people that made it is precious. You're Indian because you're Indian because you're Indian" (p. 119).
a) What do you think that Opal means? What might Opal be suggesting about how she understands Native identity in the 21st century?
b) What details from Opal's own history might influence how she describes what being Native means to her?
c) Does this satisfy Orvil? In what ways yes? In what ways no?