NBE3U1
July 29th, 2024
Finding Belonging Through Community
Community stands at the core of human existence. From the very moment humans were
created, there has always been some form of community. A community is where people come
together to form bonds over shared beliefs and interests, and it is where they form ties that lead
to the cohesion of society. In the novel, Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, community
stands as a very prominent theme in the life and development of the protagonist, Daunis
Fontaine. Throughout the book, Daunis grapples with identity and being biracial, feeling a sense
of belonging and exclusion within her communities. At the beginning, she feels that she does not
fit in anywhere, although by the end, she has accepted her unique role in the society. This essay
argues that Daunis Fontaine’s journey in Firekeeper's Daughter showcases her resilience in the
face of exclusion, and highlights how she ultimately finds strength and belonging through her
deep-rooted connections to her Native community. It will explore where Daunis experiences a
sense of belonging, where she feels excluded, how communities come together to benefit
everyone, and how her relationships with others improve her resilience.
Firstly, Daunis experiences a sense of belonging primarily with her Native American
side, where the cultural identity and family are the main elements that make her feel different.
Daunis is half Anishinaabe and half Zhagaanash (white), and her father, who was her direct
connection to her Indigenous side, died when she was young. Daunis’s Auntie and her
grandmother are the ones who involve her the most in cultural practices and teach her about the
importance of rites in their culture. It is from such family activities, ceremonies, and advice from
elders that she gains a feeling for roots and belonging. Her Anishinaabe relatives engrain their
culture so deeply in her that she always seeks solace and acceptance through the tradition and
value system of her Anishinaabe heritage: “I hold the semaa in the palm of my left hand, the one
closest to my heart. Release it to the poplar where I always begin my day. After my introduction,
I inventory the Seven Grandfathers—love, respect, honesty, humility, bravery, wisdom, and
truth. Which one will help with this unfathomable anguish? I don’t have the answer,” (Boulley
100). This quote highlights how much Daunis values Anishinaabe culture and also shows how
well she has been taught it. She practices the ritual each morning, and contemplating the Seven
Grandfathers shows just how deep her relationship is with her Native roots. More than that
however, these teachings give Daunis a framework within which to negotiate the challenges that
life throws her way, and this offers comfort, direction, and strength through the tough times in
her life. This deep cultural embedding speaks to the power of her Auntie and her grandmother in
making sure that even with her father's passing, Daunis remains very connected to her heritage
and feels like she belongs by practicing it. In addition, Daunis finds belonging at many
ceremonies she attends, but specifically the yellow pansy ceremony. The yellow pansy ceremony
is one of the most important ceremonies Daunis attends because she has actually experienced the
pain and is going for its intended purpose: “I watch as women approach the fire, each one
offering a pansy. As I release the pansy, I think about what Grant Edwards did to me and say my
silent prayer. There is comfort in watching the smoke rise to the full moon,” (Boulley 479). Here,
Daunis and other members of her community who have gone through different kinds of pain
liberate themselves from it by dropping it (the pansy signifying the pain) into a fire. Everyone at
one of these ceremonies has gone through something similar to Daunis, and as a result, Daunis
feels a sense of similarity, which is accompanied with a sense of strength and assurance in who
she is. This is how Daunis gains a sense of belonging by praying and attending ceremonies, and
it emphasizes the importance of having at least one item in your life to which you actually
belong.
Secondly, although Daunis finds moments of belonging among her Indigenous
relatives, she also experiences significant exclusion, particularly when interacting with others
who do not fully accept her. As someone who is half Anishinaabe and half Zhagaanash (white),
Daunis often feels caught between two worlds, never fully fitting into either, as seen in the quote:
“Yet even with such deep roots, I don’t always feel like I belong,” (Boulley 35). This feeling of
exclusion is heightened by her white-passing appearance, which sometimes makes her an
outsider in her very own community. For example, Daunis often experiences disbelief and
criticism from those who doubt her legitimacy in being a real Native and her devotion to her
heritage, even though Daunis is probably more connected to her heritage than some pure
Indigenous people. This is evident in scenes like this where she encounters distrust from
community members who perceive her as not being “Native enough” due to her lighter skin
colour: “I am so pale, the other Nish kids called me ‘Ghost’, and I once overheard someone refer
to me as ‘that washed-out sister of Levi’s,’” (Boulley 16). She most often is made fun of by her
peers - not quite bullying as it is not yet malicious - but it hurts her enough, as seen here: “‘Holy.
Who are you to call out anyone?’ Macy laughs across the table. ‘You got in by one vote.’ I flush
with anger and embarrassment. Even with the familial paternity test and twenty-six Elder
affidavits and all the other paperwork, it still wasn’t good enough for some council members.
They still let me know that, to them, I will always be on the outside looking in,” (Boulley 363).
These instances demonstrate the power that the feeling of exclusion has on her life, they illustrate
the emotional and social challenges Daunis will be required to overcome in her battle to gain
acceptance and belonging, but they also highlight how she is aware of what is happening. This
awareness is the first step towards resilience and “doing something about it.” Although she is
excluded, Daunis does not let that stop her from doing the things that she loves; for example, she
still attends all of the community events and ceremonies. This is where and how Daunis feels
excluded, but also how she stays resilient and pushes through to do the things she wants.
Thirdly, although Daunis has been given a tough time throughout her life due to things
like her white skin, family background, and size, community activities, such as powwows and
ceremonies organized by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, are vital aspects of her
path towards belonging. These events are not only social gatherings but profound expressions of
cultural identity and continuity. For example, by actively participating in powwows, Daunis has
the opportunity to learn more about her culture and really be a part of it: “We all remain standing
as the singing is led by drumbeats so powerful they reverberate through the bleachers to my feet,
as if pulsing my own heart,” (Boulley 72). At this moment, it is like there is nothing you could
say to Daunis to make her not belong; she is Anishinaabe and she knows that. The communal
revelry, characterized by shared songs, stories, and laughter, provides a warm and inclusive
atmosphere that strengthens the bonds among community members. In addition, the powwows
and ceremonies serve as a reminder of the collective strength and beauty of her heritage, offering
Daunis a profound sense of identity and continuity. This is evident when she reflects, “I breathe
deeply, inhaling the songs, then meet his eyes. ‘You know the saying “The whole is greater than
the sum of its parts”?’ Jamie nods. ‘Grand Entry is the whole,’ I continue. ‘It’s the synergy of all
the teachings,’” (Boulley 72). This quote highlights how these gatherings embody the synergy of
her cultural teachings, and also how they strengthen a sense of belonging and pride toward her
Native roots. Through these events, one gets to see communal solidarity emphasizing the
message of coming together for the benefit of all to create unity and resilience in the face of
hardships. These experiences bind Daunis to her community and leave her with a feeling of
belonging and resilience that was missing in other areas.
Finally, talking to others, particularly family members, is crucial in Daunis’s journey of
finding strength and belonging. Her relationship with her Auntie provides a safe space for
Daunis to process her thoughts and emotions. For instance, when Daunis receives the
opportunity to apply for status, she initially says, “‘Miigwech.’ I take a deep breath. ‘But I don’t
need a card to define me.’ ‘I know you don’t, Daunis. But think about it,’ Auntie says. ‘This is a
gift from your dad,’” (Boulley 239). Her Auntie is always doing what is best for Daunis and
giving her good advice. This close relation of family ties helps Daunis navigate her identity and
personal crises. Another example is during her investigation of the meth epidemic in her
community. In this example, Daunis receives support from her Native friends and family, which
highlights the strength of these relationships. “Sometimes my brother drives me crazy. And other
times, like now, he does something sweet and thoughtful. Our dad would be proud of Levi.
Being supportive when I need it most,” (Boulley 171). Here, Daunis felt insecure about
balancing school with doing the investigation, and Levi, although he did not know what his sister
was doing, was extremely ready to support his sister unconditionally. These personal
connections, along with the cultural ties and mentorship from her family, help Daunis find her
rightful place in the community. As she comes to learn by the end of the novel, her identity is a
combination of her experiences and heritage: “I am Anishinaabe and Zhagaanash. I am Red Bear
Woman,” (Boulley 486). This quote shows she is strong, determined, and unique, and she does
not need external validation to prove this. All in all, her relationships with her family and friends,
and the advice they give, provide her with more resilience and a stronger sense of belonging.
In conclusion, the central idea in Angeline Boulley's Firekeeper's Daughter is one of
community, and Daunis's journey becomes one of much resilience through this. This essay
argues that Daunis Fontaine’s story illustrates her resilient ways in the face of exclusion and
shows how she finally attains strength and belonging through deep ties to her Native community.
Throughout the book, Daunis belongs through her cultural practices and relations within her
family. Her resilience is evident in how she deals with exclusion due to her biracial identity,
using the support of her community to rise above it. The powwows and ceremonies (such as the
yellow pansy ceremony) she attends, are expressive of collective strength in culture, and they
further go to highlight her identity and continuity. Likewise, her close relationships with family
members, such as her Auntie and her brother, are sources of guidance and support that show her
resilience and belonging. By the end of the novel, Daunis embraces herself as a combination of
her experiences and heritage, showing she feels she fully belongs in the community. Her journey
shows the vital role that community plays in creating individual resilience and a profound sense
of belonging.
Works Cited
Boulley, Angeline. Firekeeper’s Daughter. Simon and Schuster, 2021,
books.google.ie/books?id=JCkFEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=firekeeper%27s
+daughter&hl=&cd=1&source=gbs_api.