The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian

How does history and personal experience play a role in shaping who we are?

And the question begs, not just personal or family history, but HISTORY, the big kahuna-the really, really, really Big Picture.

Arnold was a product of all the choices his family had made, as well as the millions of historical choices we have no choice in, but that shape where and how we are born and raised. Arnold, growing up as he did on the reservation, still lives the life of a ‘conquered’ people, with all the scars and baggage and insecurity that brings with it.

-We Indians have LOST EVERYTHING. We lost our native land, we lost our languages, we lost our songs and dances. We lost each other. We only know how to lose and be lost.-

What is different about Arnold, is that he realizes that while dealt a tough hand, he is not only the sum of his history and his past, but that he has the ability to change his future with new tough choices. He can wallow and get stuck in place like his sister or father, or he can take a chance and make his own history. By doing so he is changing the future for others.

The important catalyst for his decision is his teacher, Mr. P, whose brutal honesty compels Arnold to make a choice that will bring the condemnation of his community. It will threaten his relationships with no guarantee of a benefit. Which is a true form of bravery.

On his journey, Arnold has role models, like his strong, amazing Grandmother.

His other companion on the journey are the books he loses himself in. They keep him company, counsel him, and give him joy. -Okay, so it’s like each of these books is a mystery. Every book is a mystery. And if you read all the books ever written, it’s like you’ve read one giant mystery. And no matter how much you learn, you just keep on learning there is so much more you need to learn.

When Arnold first leaves the rez he thinks he has to hide who he is from his new class- mates, but finds in the end that just being himself is the best policy.

What really makes him question himself is the losses of his grandmother, family friend, and sister. He even questions whether he is being punished for his audacity.

In the end Arnold is able to overcome his own personal history and look with HOPE to the future. A future he will create with the choices he makes.

-I would always love Rowdy. Just as I would always love and miss my grandmother, my big sister, and Eugene. Just as I would always love and miss my reservation and my tribe. I hoped and prayed that they would someday forgive me for leaving them. I hoped and prayed that I would someday forgive myself for leaving them.