"I am overcome with deep gratitude as I sit here next to Auntie before the fire. Auntie has shown me how to be a strong Nish kwe—full of love, anger, humor, sorrow, and joy. Not as something perfect: She is a woman who is complex and sometimes exhausted, but mostly brave. She loves imperfect people fiercely."
This quote highlights the close relationship between the narrator and Auntie, and the important role that Auntie plays in shaping the narrator's identity and values. The mention of the fire symbolizes warmth, comfort, and connection, and the reference to being a "strong Nish kwe" highlights the cultural traditions and heritage of the Ojibwe people. The description of Auntie as complex and sometimes exhausted but mostly brave shows the depth and authenticity of their relationship, and the statement that she loves imperfect people fiercely suggests deep empathy and compassion for others.
"Hockey brings my community together. Native and non-Native. All ages. All neighborhoods. Here in Chi Mukwa, a community recreation building funded by the Sugar Island Ojibwe Tribe, everyone stands united for our teams. I just hope they remember today was for Robin Bailey."
This quote illustrates the power of sports to bring people together and create a sense of community and belonging. The reference to hockey, a popular sport in Canada and the United States, shows how a shared interest can bridge cultural and generational divides. The mention of Chi Mukwa and the Sugar Island Ojibwe Tribe highlights the importance of Indigenous communities in supporting and promoting sports and other activities. The final line about remembering Robin Bailey suggests a sense of loss and remembrance for someone who was important to the community.
"He cries. I don’t soothe him. He needs to feel this, and I need to hear it. Investigations involve real people. Informants face real risks. Developing real feelings for me doesn’t wash away that he was willing to use me, a girl he didn’t know, to pursue a case and get a career boost."
This quote reveals the tension and emotional complexity of the narrator's relationship with the person who is crying. The fact that the narrator doesn't soothe him shows a sense of distance and disconnection, despite the fact that he is crying. The mention of investigations and informants suggests a potentially dangerous or risky situation, and the reference to "real feelings" suggests that there may be a romantic or personal connection between the narrator and the person who is crying. The final line about being willing to use the narrator to pursue a case highlights a lack of trust and betrayal in the relationship.
