Part 4 (Orvil Red Feather, Tony Loneman, Blue, Dene Oxendene, Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield, Edwin Black, Calvin Johnson, Daniel Gonzales, Jacquie Red Feather, Octavio Gomez, Edwin Black) Summary

On the way to the powwow, Edwin nervously contemplates how the event is the beginning of a new life for him. He feels a kindred connection to Blue and tells her a story he made up about a Native guy in Oakland whose apartment is taken over by white guys who pretend to be his friends. When Edwin and Blue arrive and set up the safe filled with gift cards, Blue is nervous that the safe is too conspicuous.

Calvin, his brother Charles, Charles’s sidekick Carlos, and Octavio bicker nervously over the details of the planned robbery during breakfast that morning.

Jacquie and Harvey arrive at the powwow together. Jacquie, who has forgiven Harvey, is shocked to see her grandson’s name—Orvil Red Feather—on the list of dancers.

Octavio is filled with dread as he loads his gun in the men’s bathroom at the coliseum.

Blue accompanies Edwin to meet Harvey for the first time. When Harvey introduces Jacquie, Blue realizes she’s standing in front of her birth mother.

Part 4 (Orvil Red Feather, Tony Loneman, Blue, Dene Oxendene, Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield, Edwin Black, Calvin Johnson, Daniel Gonzales, Jacquie Red Feather, Octavio Gomez, Edwin Black) Analysis

In the moments leading up to the powwow, the narrative rapidly shifts from character to character, staying with each perspective only briefly. This narrative technique allows the reader, who already knows violence is looming, to draw closer to each character in turn, heightening the emotional impact of their experiences.

A mass of native Americans from all over the country, as well as each main character, move through time and space to converge on the Oakland Coliseum. Their individual stories, which have been separate journeys, now come to a single point of convergence at the powwow.