The connection between the physical and spiritual worlds
The relationship between the living and the spirit world is a central theme in Catching Teller Crow. One of the novel's main characters is Beth, who is a spirit. Because of her status as a spirit, she has a unique perspective on life, death, and what lies beyond the physical world. Her bond with her grieving father, a grieving police detective named Michael, is central to the narrative and is a reminder of the lasting connections that go beyond death. To that end, Beth is able to communicate with Michael (and Michael only). The presence of spirits in the book, their interactions with the living, and the ancestral memories they carry emphasize the Indigenous belief in the interconnectedness of all things and that life and death are part of a continuum.
The mistreatment of Indigenious people
The theme of the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples is potently interwoven into the narrative of Catching Teller Crow. The story delves into the historical and ongoing trauma faced by Indigenous peoples due to colonialism. In particular, the novel highlights the Indigenous children who are stolen, the forced assimilation, and the systematic racism faced by the Indigenous people when trying to live their lives. The town's dark past, which is ultimately unraveled by Beth's spirit and her father, is a harsh reflection of the mistreatment many Indigenous communities had to endure. Despite these injustices and mistreatment, Indigenous peoples persevere, underscoring their resilience and the importance of remembering and acknowledging this harrowing history.
