Saul Indian Horse: The Concept of Culture

“Culture is a way of coping with the world by defining it in detail”. With culture people can develop a sense of belonging, growth, and the ability to relate with others. In the novel ‘Indian Horse ‘written by Richard Wagamese there are many situations in which Saul Indian Horse, the main character was able to preserve his cultural beliefs even though at times it seems impossible.

The concept of culture such as stories grandmother Naomi told Saul at a young age, demonstrates the effort she puts into educating her loved ones.

Furthermore, Saul’s ability to connect with Father LeBoutilier in Residential schools and playing hockey and meeting Fred, Virgil and Martha Kellys exposed him to meet people of his own. Finally, Saul’s coming-of age gave him a sense of higher purpose and reminded him that he is not alone in this world. The theme of culture helps in understanding the development of Saul’s character overtime as he builds relationships with others.

Get quality help now

Writer Lyla

Verified writer

Proficient in: Tradition

5 (876)

“ Have been using her for a while and please believe when I tell you, she never fail. Thanks Writer Lyla you are indeed awesome ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Saul’s tribe hold strong beliefs and mark the importance of structure of family, as well as strong traditions such as the significance of respecting the elders, especially the women. The leader of Saul’s family is not his father, unlike most European societies, but instead his grandmother Naomi. From a young age, Saul’s grandmother ensures to nurture her grandson with knowledge passed on by their ancestors. She tells Saul stories about his great grandfather, Slanting Sky, a shaman and a trapper, who spent a lot of time on the land because of the spiritual connection he had with the land.

” They say he had the sending thought the great gift of the original teachers” she said (Wagamese 5).

Saul comes from a very important family within his tribe because of his great grandfather who became famous for introducing horses to the Ojibway people and teaching them how to tame such an animal. This helped ease their way of living. The stories that his grandmother tells him at a young age, influence him to follow her standpoint such as, basic cultural rules and beliefs. When Saul’s brother, Benjamin dies from tuberculosis Naomi suggests performing a traditional burial ceremony which Saul agrees upon. Moreover, his grandmother believes that each family has its own way of ensuing their culture and family structure. Naomi explains, “Each family had their own braid tied their special way so that they could be recognized in the rice bed” (25). Naomi tells her grandsons the importance of rice to the Fish Clan people, and how it connects his people with Mother Nature. She wants to ensure that they are aware of certain practices in his culture and how to sustain this lifestyle for a lifetime.

Saul and his brother are able to learn from women about such methods as, how to fashion elaborate braids out of red willow barks. As Saul learns from his beloved grandmother he learns the different aspects of Ojibway life, making him aware of his tribe and traditions that have been passed on from many generations. Thus, his culture helps build and maintain relationships with others through his understanding of his own traditions allowing him to make thoughtful decisions in life, and to connect with his kin.

Most kids at St. Jerome’s Residential school had to give in their culture and assimilate into the white culture in order to get pass the experience, but Saul was able to use the knowledge taught by his father and grandmother to get through his experience at Residential schools. He explains “There are stories of teachers among our people who could determine where a particular moose was, a bear, the exact time the fish would make their spawning runs.

My great grandfather Shabogeesick, the original Indian Horse, had that gift”(58). Saul’s talent and love for hockey gives him the ability to assimilate into the Canadian culture and into his own Indigenous culture. He uses the gift of his great grandfather as a seer, to quickly understand the concept of the game of hockey, embracing this aspect of the white culture balancing it with his Fish Clan traditions, without losing touch of the past. Saul mentions how he is able to understand the game of hockey instantly through more than just the physical properties of the game, making him a likable player to his team and by some priest at the school. Doing so gives Saul a sense of community in order to live a happy life .Saul leaving St. Jerome gives him a sense of hope after 5 frightful years in the school, to finally be accepted by an Ojibway family named the Kellys.

Just when he was leaving the premises of St. Jerome Father Leboutilier gives him a firm handshake to say his last goodbyes. As Saul starts a new chapter in his life he shares the first word in his language after many years ’”Manitouwadge mean ‘Cave of the Great Spirit in Ojibway’”(99) . Even though Saul attended Residential school for many years and was forced into the white culture, he still understands the language of his people. Saul is able to thrive in both world because of the knowledge passed down from his grandmother who encouraged him to speak his language and his father who taught him to speak and read in the English language.