Thunder Rolling in the Mountains?

The straw hat which Sound of Running Feet gives to Dirty Face as a gift symbolizes her effort to understand and sympathize with the white woman, whom she sees suffering. Her ability to relate to the emotions she sees displayed by Dirty Face is an indicator of her character growth, since she finally understands that there is no major difference between white people and the Ne-mee-poo on a fundamental level. The gift of the hat is meant to show this understanding and empathy, and to try to ease the white woman's anxiety by demonstrating an attempt at friendship.

The straw hat which Sound of Running Feet gives to Dirty Face as a gift symbolizes her effort to understand and sympathize with the white woman, whom she sees suffering. Her ability to relate to the emotions she sees displayed by Dirty Face is an indicator of her character growth, since she finally understands that there is no major difference between white people and the Ne-mee-poo on a fundamental level. The gift of the hat is meant to show this understanding and empathy, and to try to ease the white woman's anxiety by demonstrating an attempt at friendship.