Tribal Pride

Tribal pride plays a large role in "On the Rez" as a prevalent recurring theme displayed by many of the narrative's characters. As the book opens, Ian Frazier explains how the Indians' sense of freedom influenced the concept of the American dream in terms of liberty and equality. After Frazier meets Le, Le often expresses his feelings of pride in his heritage, beginning with his inclination to return to the Pine Ridge Reservation, but his pride is also shown when he brags about his scars, symbolic because of how the Indians' culture revolves around warriors and heroism. During their conversations about Indians appearing in films, especially Westerns, Le's tribal pride is apparent as he laments the lack of recognition that his people have received for their contributions in Hollywood. When Le needs money from Frazier, he gifts his friend with a Western saddle which is obviously useless...