Medicine River

Thomas King writes as though Will is telling stories to an old friend. How is this achieved, and how does it add to the sense of community that is woven throughout the novel?

How is life in an Alberta Blackfoot community like Medicine River different from life elsewhere? How is it the same, and why is this story relatable even to those who live very different lives?

In what ways is forbearance necessary in friendship? What is gained from showing patience and understanding toward others? Does King ever depict this as a negative or difficult trait to cultivate? Why would he choose to depict it as difficult, or easy?

How does the past blend with his present, both in the ways that the narrative is woven together and in Will’s own life?

What is the importance of Chief Mountain for the people of Medicine River, and what does this indicate about the Blackfoot culture?

Research Canadian Friendship Centers, and then consider King’s depiction of the Medicine River Friendship Centre in the novel. Does the fictional center function the way real centers are meant to? What is its purpose and effect in the novel?

What is the significance of names for the Blackfoot people of Medicine River? Consider both the novel’s characters and the history of naming in the Blackfoot culture.

What views of Indigenous identity does the novel argue for? Should they be holistic, or should bloodline purity be more important? How do the views on Indigenous identity in the novel make it difficult for Will to find a home?