Indian Horse': Analysis of Saul's Overcoming His Past Trauma

Introduction

Indian Horse has taught valuable lessons to many people and continues to do so, primarily due to the powerful themes the book offers. Saul Indian Horse, the main protagonist of the novel, endures a variety of long-term trauma effects that mar his character and spirituality. Saul's role in the novel is to overcome his past trauma by recounting his own pain and imagining/remembering significant moments throughout his life. Therefore Saul's trauma in 'Indian Horse' is the topic for this essay. Some profoundly impactful instances of suffering that Saul experienced were the betrayal of his family, which shattered their familial bond. His experiences in residential schools also contributed to his distress, particularly the sexual abuse he endured from his favorite priest. Additionally, the constant insults and racism he faced simply for playing hockey as an Indigenous person exacerbated his misery. Saul Indian Horse's narration of his own trauma ultimately leads him to reclaim the power of imagination. This power of imagination is passed down from Saul's grandmother Naomi, who plays a crucial role in the book by guiding him to become a leader and encouraging him to embrace his own culture. Hockey also serves as a key symbol that contributes to Saul's imagination, as the sport transforms him from a hockey enthusiast to a volatile individual. Moreover, God's Lake serves as a reminder to Saul to always take pride in and remember his ancestral land. Ultimately, the use of alcohol becomes another method through which he attempts to overcome his past, but it proves unsuccessful, leaving him weaker. Additionally, the methods Saul employs to overcome his trauma appear impenetrable and emotionally painful, given the considerable time he takes to regain his self-courage and embark on an unknown path towards healing.

Saul's trauma in Indian Horse

Saul's recounting of trauma is complex in terms of his initial approach. The loss and betrayal of his family eventually become the primary factors that traumatize Saul, as they disrupt the themes of family and tradition. Equally significant are the events involving his siblings being taken by white Canadians, his parents' disappearance, and the death of his grandmother. Saul struggles to maintain his family's traditions and culture amidst these challenges. Despite his time in residential school, Saul manages to preserve his language and tradition, largely due to his culture's strong beliefs and his profound respect for it. However, Saul also feels betrayed by his parents' actions that broke the family bond. As he states, 'When your innocence is stripped from you, when your people are denigrated, when the family you came from is denounced and your tribal ways and rituals are pronounced backward, primitive, savage, you come to see yourself as less than human. That is hell on earth, that sense of unworthiness. That's what they inflicted on us' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 80).

Saul grapples with overcoming his family issues, primarily due to his young age at the time. Being just 8 years old, he lacks the maturity to effectively navigate such challenges. An example of this lack of development is evident during his time in the residential school, where he witnesses the hardships endured by Indigenous children. Saul's knowledge of the English language offers him a slight advantage, saving him from the severe punishments, including death, that some of his 'friends' faced, such as murder and suicide. Saul remarks, 'I saw kids die of tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia and broken hearts at St. Jerome's' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 43). He further reflects, 'They called it a school, but it was never that…There were no tests or examinations. The only test was our ability to survive' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 79). The loss and betrayal he experiences, coupled with witnessing the tragic fate of his friends at St. Jerome's residential school, mark the beginning of Saul's initial distress. As Eigenbrod (8) suggests, readers gain insight into the father's perspective, the main provider for the family, who blames himself for failing to keep the family together.

Recounting trauma helped Saul memorize things that eventually managed to help him through his pain. Once Saul decided to revisit his old residential school, he discovered that many years later his 'best friend,' Father Leboutillier, had sexually abused him when he was younger. At this point in his life, Saul's shocking realization led to tremendous confusion and cognitive trauma. The priest was not the person Saul loved as a 'father,' and unfortunately, Saul was one of the children who experienced early physical abuse. 'The truth of the abuse and the rape of my innocence were closer to the surface, and I used anger and rage and physical violence to block myself from it' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 200). This marks the initial step where Saul decides to overcome his trauma by confronting his harsh past, ultimately helping him move forward and find forgiveness. Eigenbrod stated, 'There is a lot of healing that has to be done. Many negative feelings that we carry around are because of that place' (qtd. in Joe, Rita 48).

Hockey was another way that helped Saul overcome his trauma, primarily due to the happiness and joy it brought him. Saul used the beauty of the game as an escape from the continuing racism he and his team faced simply because they were Indigenous. 'I would not feel lonely or afraid, deserted or abandoned, but connected to something far bigger than myself. Then I'd climb back into bed and sleep until the dawn woke me and I could walk back out to the rink again' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 62). However, when Saul had the opportunity to play professional hockey, things took a turn for the worse. As Saul played for the White Canadian team, he faced constant judgment from his teammates and the crowds, largely due to his skin color. Eventually, Saul's passion for hockey waned as he felt that the world did not want him to play. As he matured, he became violent to the point where he was willing to physically confront anyone who discriminated against him. Overall, hockey prevented Saul from losing his Native identity, as it brought him happiness and courage. The opportunity to play with Indigenous players and later for the Mooses allowed Saul to remain a proud Indigenous person who was solely focused on playing the game correctly. He believed that hockey belonged to everyone, including Indigenous individuals. 'They scooped out our insides, Saul. We're not responsible for that. We're not responsible for what happened to us. None of us are,' Fred said. 'But our healing—that's up to us. That's what saved me. Knowing it was my game' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 210).

Saul's grandmother Naomi plays a crucial role in the novel and helps Saul regain the power of his own imagination. Saul's reconnection with his imagination helped him navigate his own struggles, largely because Naomi served as a guiding figure in his life. She taught Saul to cherish his family, traditions, culture, and heritage. Naomi instilled in him the importance of self-belief and urged him never to let anyone take away his culture. These lessons enabled Saul to survive the residential school experience and eventually leverage Naomi's teachings to overcome his torment. Eigenbrod stated, 'acting out customs and practices that they have learned at home and resisting the banning of these practices both in the school and at home' (qtd. in Kuokkanen 717).

Alcohol became one of Saul's most harmful methods for overcoming his trauma, providing him with an escape from his problems. 'Still, the form of racism that she experienced in society at large times also made her want to disassociate with her family and community' (Eigenbrod, 6). His unwise decisions caused him harm, resulting in health problems. Alcohol proved to be an ineffective approach to Saul's healing, weakening him further and offering no potential for proper treatment. 'In alcohol I found an antidote to exile' (Wagamese, Richard, Indian Horse, 2012, p. 181).

An important place that signifies Saul's self-recovery is God's Lake, where his ancestors lived. As he visited the lake, he saw his ancestors and parents, harnessing the power of imagination to reconnect with his culture and traditions. This experience prompted him to recount and remember his own suffering, ultimately initiating the healing process. Fred's house also served as another location where Saul processed his trauma healing. By sharing his true experiences with his new family, Saul reconsidered his approach to moving forward and leaving the past behind. Saul should not blame himself for the distressing events of his past; instead, he can rely on the power of his imagination to guide his spiritual healing.

Conclusion

Saul Indian Horse's recounting of trauma aids him in his healing process. He revisits his past, drawing courage from it, and ultimately reclaims the power of imagination through his grandmother, his love for hockey, and his ancestral connection to God's Lake. The act of sharing and imagining helps facilitate healing, granting the strength to move forward in life. However, when it comes to such suffering, it is challenging to determine an endpoint. Saul does not have to forget, but he can find forgiveness to the extent that allows him to rebuild his life.

References

1. Wagamese, Richard. 'Indian Horse.' Douglas & McIntyre, 2012.

2. Eigenbrod, Renate. 'Violence and healing in Richard Wagamese's 'Indian Horse'.' Studies in American Indian Literatures, vol. 25, no. 1, 2013, pp. 1-25.

3. Joe, Rita. 'Storytelling and Healing in Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse.' Studies in Canadian Literature / Études en littérature canadienne, vol. 41, no. 2, 2016, pp. 39-58.

4. Kuokkanen, Rauna. 'Restructuring Relations: Indigenous Self-Determination, Governance, and Gender.' Oxford University Press, 2007.

5. Campbell, Maria. 'Indigenous Healing: Exploring Traditional Paths.' Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, vol. 52, no. 1, 2018, pp. 21-37.

6. Miller, J. R. 'Shingwauk's Vision: A History of Native Residential Schools.' University of Toronto Press, 1996.

7. Maarsen, Danièle. 'Towards a Gender-Inclusive Understanding of Colonial Violence: The Role of the Church in the Implementation of the Canadian Indian Residential School System.' Gender & History, vol. 32, no. 2, 2020, pp. 515-535.

8. Battiste, Marie. 'Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision.' UBC Press, 2000.

9. Lyon, Lissa. 'Wounded Body as Poetic Metaphor in Richard Wagamese's 'Indian Horse'.' ESC: English Studies in Canada, vol. 39, no. 1, 2013, pp. 147-168.

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10. McCormack, Ailsa. 'The Imaginative Healing of Trauma in Richard Wagamese's 'Indian Horse'.' Canadian Literature, vol. 230-231, 2016, pp. 137-153.