Medicine River: Louise and Southwing's Role in Will's Integration

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Transformation into a Member of the Medicine River Family A community is a complex and dynamic ecosystem where each individual has their own job. Being reintroduced to an ecosystem after being departed for a long time, one can loose sense of belonging as time degrades the familiarity and fellowship offered by the habitants of that community. In the novel, Medicine River, by Thomas King, the main character, Will, undergoes a journey of new experiences as he slowly discovers a place in his mother’s old community with the help of two special individuals. King develops a story emphasizing the importance in which Will’s newfound relationship with a woman named Louise and her newborn daughter, South Wing, has in the process of integration of Will into the community of Medicine River. In order for integration to occur, an individual must discover factors, such as people, that tie them deeper into the community; once this has occurred, an individual’s identity will change to reflect their community as more than just neighbors, but as family. Moving from a comfortable life is never anyone’s idea choice, but circumstances with Will’s career made Medicine River an optimal place to go for the time being. He returned to Medicine River, with no sense of belonging. Being half Blackfoot, half Caucasian and spending childhood in Calgary, this small aboriginal community was almost as foreign to him as he was a foreigner to the community. Harlen Bigbear was a friend Will met following his mother’s funeral; this friendship was critical in many deep levels for the integration of Will in to the community. Harlen always tries to remove everyone’s obstacles by interfering with their problems; he reunites and revives the sense of community. Aware of Will’s position as a newcomer and eager to help, Harlen tries to get him more involved with the community. Of many attempts, getting Will to

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