The Great Bear

A significant moment occurs when Eli, overwhelmed by bullying related to his Indigenous identity, cuts off his braid—a symbol of his cultural heritage. This act is more than a response to bullying; it represents a crisis of identity, in which Eli grapples with his sense of self in a society that marginalizes Indigenous cultures. The braid is a symbol that evokes not only Indigenous customs around hair but also abusive practices at residential schools, where Indigenous children were forced to cut their hair to assimilate into the dominant white culture. Morgan’s efforts to console Eli and reinforce the importance of their heritage illustrate the siblings’ ongoing struggle to reconcile their Indigenous identity with the pressures of the modern, non-Indigenous world. This conflict is not just personal but also historical, reflecting the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. The siblings’ response to this adversity, particularly their resilience and the support they receive from each other and their friend Emily, highlights the importance of community and solidarity in overcoming such challenges.

Morgan and Eli’s ability to travel between Earth and Misewa is a metaphor for their navigation between their Indigenous heritage and their life in modern Canada. Eli’s drawing pad as the key to opening the portal between worlds shows how the key to linking these worlds is in their hands and relies on their creativity and storytelling. The duality between worlds is further complicated by Morgan’s dilemma about contacting her biological mother, reflecting her internal conflict about her identity and belonging. For Morgan, her quest to reconcile with her mother and understand her story encapsulates the healing power of storytelling in Indigenous cultures. For Morgan, the struggle to connect with her biological mother and her Cree heritage is a journey to understand where she comes from and who she is. Storytelling in Indigenous cultures is often a healing process, helping individuals and communities cope with trauma and loss. The act of sharing stories can be therapeutic, allowing for the expression of pain, grief, and, ultimately, the journey toward healing. For Morgan, learning about her mother’s past, and by extension her own history, represents a step toward healing the wounds of separation and disconnection from her heritage. Her number on the Post-It note represents possibility—Morgan is on the cusp of bridging this gap, but she needs to find the courage to do so. Storytelling is used here as a tool to achieve harmony between past and present, between different cultures, and between humans and the natural world.

Indigenous storytelling is also about reclaiming histories that have been lost, suppressed, or distorted. This reclamation is vital in the context of historical traumas faced by Indigenous peoples, such as forced separation and cultural assimilation. Morgan’s quest to understand her heritage and reach out to her mother is symbolic of this broader effort to reclaim Indigenous narratives. It represents a counter-narrative to displacement and loss, highlighting resilience and the enduring strength of Indigenous identities.

Finally, storytelling in Indigenous cultures emphasizes the importance of community and interconnectedness. Morgan’s journey is not just about her individual healing; it’s also about reestablishing connections with her community and culture. Her story becomes a part of the larger tapestry of her community’s narratives, highlighting the interconnected nature of individual and communal healing.