Summary Of Indian Horse By Richard Wagamese

The lives of those who are faced with the brutal effects of residential schools expose the deep emotions of discrimination and racism impacting the Indigenous communities. Leaving a mark on these individuals who have to come to peace within these traumas of the acts they went through. The novel Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese represents the journey of the individual Saul Indian Horse, showing the trauma he had faced with discrimination and racism throughout his life. The short story, Growing up Native, by Carol Geddes, shows the history of her life facing discrimination just for her identity, holding her back from pursuing the acts she wants to achieve. In the novel 'Indian Horse' by Richard Wagamese and the short story 'Growing Up Native'
In Indian Horse, Saul experiences the traumatic acts which are led by the residential schools held in Canada, with enforcement. The residential school, St. Jerome's, endures much abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual and mental abuse. This setting is to enforce cultural genocide and severe systemic racism against the Indigenous community in Canada. Saul was violently abducted from his home and family and sent to St. Jerome's Residential School. It was a school that was portrayed as a harsh, brutal and unwelcoming environment, a goal that was set to integrate little kids at young ages into the Euro-Canadian culture to erase any indigenous cultures to be followed. Saul was stripped away from his cultural identity and was left to live in constant fear of dehumanization. He was focused on survival rather than growth. Saul is emotionally detached. He was given a result of trauma from experiencing residential schools that kept him from living life to the fullest and achieving all his goals, robbing him of all he had set for himself. As Saul grew older, he found an escape from the shadows by following himself through the world of hockey. Although he found his talent in something, he is still haunted by the residential schools, where Saul notices he cannot truly heal until he has
Saul Indian Horse shows us the harsh reality of an Indigenous boy and all he has faced through racism, discrimination and cultural genocide. Where he was robbed of his identity, and despite his talent through hockey, he faced traumatic struggles with his self-worth due to his identity. Until he faced his past, to pass from his trauma, to have peace within himself, to grow as a whole. Similarly, Carol Gedde reveals the discrimination Indigenous children face when in school when their cultural values are compared to the expectations of the education system. She was humiliated by a teacher who highlighted the system of racism that pushed her away from reaching her true potential for herself and her education. However, in the end, Carol noticed her ability to overcome these barriers and reach her goals. As these stories help us to understand the importance of addressing systemic racism, by recognizing these acts, we can create a society that allows all to have the opportunity to succeed and grow as individuals with the support of one