Representation of Indigenous Culture in In Search of April Raintree

                

                  The author Beatrice Mosionier does an amazing job tying in Indigenous culture into the novel. 

Mosionier explains many instances where Indigenous values and culture is represented. In the novel when Cheryl and April lived with their foster parents the DeRosier's Cheryl was given the ultimate punishment when they cut her long black hair. Cheryl was a Native at heart and her hair was her pride. Mosionier subtly slipped into the novel the value of a Native persons hair in the Indigenous culture. Also, the main characters Cheryl and April Raintree visited a powwow in the novel. The powwow is an important Native gathering where Native people dance, sing, eat and celebrate their culture. Cheryl took April to the powwow and April was able to see another of side of Native people that she wasn't accustomed to. She was used to envisioning Native people as savages and alcoholics but this was different side to them that she liked. Through this Mosionier informs the reader that Native people are not savages and that their central beliefs revolve around family togetherness, preserving mother earth and worshiping and giving thanks for what they have.