132 pages 4 hours read

Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper's Daughter

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2021

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Themes

The Individual’s Responsibility in the Community

Daunis always knew she wanted to help and serve her community in some way, despite that same community not always viewing her as fully Native due to her mother’s French/white side. Daunis, however, has seen her aunt and uncle, Teddie and Art, model what it means to server others on Sugar Island. Though Daunis wants to follow in their footsteps by serving, she didn’t think she would be serving in the way the FBI is asking her. Though initially hesitant, Ron and Jamie convince Daunis to follow in Uncle David’s footsteps and join the investigation as a Confidential Informant to not only help the FBI but to help service the health and safety of her community.

As the investigation becomes more complicated, the “help” that Daunis provides becomes a source of internal conflict for her. She feels trapped between two incompatible worlds. Daunis wants to help her community by finding out who is making and distributing the meth, but she also doesn’t want to damage her community by allowing the FBI to mete out punitive justice without concern for tribal ways or Native autonomy. Daunis must make decisions that will either prioritize helping the FBI in their investigation or protecting people she initially believes are not only innocent but people who uphold the community.