The first sentence of the chapter that contains the
reference to Turtle Lake is "The reservation is beautiful." In this chapter, Junior
enjoys the beauty and familiarity of the reservation, which will always be home to him.
I believe that Turtle Lake, which is the focus of a number of Indian legends and myths,
can be considered to be a symbol of the rich Indian culture that characterizes the
Spokane nation that must call the reservation their
home.
In addition to representing Indian culture, Turtle
Lake has a distinctiveness that is unique and mysterious. Scientists have concluded that
the lake is "an ancient and dormant volcano crater," with incredible depth, like roots
going "all the way down to the center of the earth." In like manner, the Spokane tribe
has a history that is goes back for generations and is deeply rooted, in history, and in
the earth.
The horrifically frightening tale of Stupid
Horse, who drowned in Turtle Lake, is typical of the ghost stories Indians love. The
story was scary enough that for years, no one would swim in Turtle Lake, but as time
passed, the people forgot their fear and began to swim in the lake again. Junior's
observation that "people forget" is significant. The Indians are now trapped on the
reservation, and although they are victims of racism and oppression, part of the blame
for their situation lies in their own passivity and inertia. In Junior's estimation, the
Indians have forgotten their rich and noble heritage, as symbolized by Turtle Lake, and,
crushed by the treatment they have received at the hands of white society, have simply
given up (Chapter 29 - "Talking About Turtles").
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