Old School Indian Summary, Characters and Themes
Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis is an exploration of identity, family, and personal healing. Set against the backdrop of Ahkwesáhsne, a Mohawk reservation, the story follows Abe, a man diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, as he returns to his ancestral home to seek healing.
Struggling with both physical pain and deep emotional scars, Abe faces the complexities of reconciling his modern life with his Indigenous heritage. As he navigates his illness and fractured relationships, Abe embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, healing, and acceptance, guided by his great-uncle Budge, a healer who offers both spiritual and physical guidance.
Summary
In 2016, Abe, struggling with a mysterious and debilitating illness, returns to Ahkwesáhsne, the Mohawk territory, to seek help from his great uncle, Budge. Abe is grappling with the symptoms of Systemic Necrotizing Periarteritis (SNiP), a rare autoimmune disease that slowly destroys his blood vessels, leading to vascular dementia.
Despite extensive tests, doctors are unable to diagnose his condition, leaving Abe feeling helpless and frustrated. As his physical condition worsens, he decides to go back to his ancestral home, hoping that the connection to his roots might provide some answers.
When Abe arrives, he finds his great-uncle Budge living in a humble trailer, practicing a form of healing that is far from conventional. Budge, a healer known for his eccentric behavior, invites Abe to a healing session, promising that it will help him in ways that modern medicine cannot.
Although initially skeptical, Abe’s desperation drives him to accept. The session involves Budge’s strange, yet calming physical touch, which, despite making Abe uncomfortable, leads to a subtle easing of his symptoms.
Budge speaks in metaphors, comparing his presence to a stream or a transformer, and offers Abe advice on breathing and being present in the moment.
As the session progresses, Abe’s thoughts drift to the unresolved emotional pain he carries. His complicated relationship with his wife, Alex, weighs heavily on him.
Their open relationship, marked by emotional distance and misunderstandings, leaves Abe feeling disconnected, especially as his health deteriorates. The narrative delves into his memories, revealing a history of strained family dynamics and a deep sense of alienation.
Abe reflects on his upbringing, shaped by the Mohawk culture, and the generational trauma his family has faced. The impact of colonialism and the challenges of living as a Native American in modern society further complicate his sense of self.
Budge, through his unconventional methods, encourages Abe to confront his past and his fears about the future. As Abe’s health worsens, he experiences vivid memories of his childhood and moments with his family.
His thoughts are especially focused on his sister, Sis, who lives a life deeply connected to the land, growing herbs and practicing alternative medicine. Her path contrasts with Abe’s life in Miami, where he lived with Alex, trying to navigate the challenges of modern life while feeling disconnected from his roots.
Sis questions whether Abe should seek more spiritual healing from Uncle Budge, and while Abe remains uncertain, he finds solace in Budge’s presence and the wisdom passed down through generations.
As Abe continues his journey of healing, he grapples with his identity as a Mohawk man living outside of his community. The tension between his heritage and his modern life becomes more apparent.
Abe often feels alienated, both from his Indigenous community and from the outside world. His time at Syracuse University, where he faced prejudice and ignorance about his heritage, highlights the struggles of being an Indigenous person in a predominantly non-Indigenous society.
He also reflects on his relationship with Alex, which is marked by complexities that stem from their differing backgrounds and their unconventional approach to intimacy.
The climax of the story occurs when Abe experiences a cathartic release of his anger and frustration. After days of anxiety about his diagnosis and the uncertainty of his future, he takes out his frustrations on a tree, punching it repeatedly as a symbol of his inner turmoil.
In that moment, Abe has an epiphany: despite the uncertainty of his future and the physical challenges he faces, he is still alive. This realization provides a temporary sense of peace and reconciliation with himself, though he knows that his condition will continue to deteriorate.
The narrative concludes with Abe preparing to return to Miami. He reflects on the complexities of his relationships with his family, especially with Alex, and his growing understanding of his Mohawk heritage.
While he continues to struggle with his health and the challenges of living in a world that often does not acknowledge his identity, Abe begins to accept the complexities of his existence. His journey of healing, both physical and emotional, is intertwined with his attempts to reconcile with his past, his family, and his cultural roots.
Through Abe’s journey, the story explores the themes of healing, identity, and generational trauma, offering a powerful reflection on the resilience of the human spirit. Abe’s path is not just about overcoming physical illness but also about coming to terms with the struggles of his past and finding a sense of peace amidst pain and uncertainty.
The narrative paints a portrait of a man who is not only fighting to heal his body but also struggling to understand his place in a world that continuously challenges his identity. In the end, Abe’s journey is one of self-discovery, acceptance, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent to his struggles.
Characters
Abe
Abe, the protagonist of Old School Indian, is a deeply conflicted man battling both a debilitating illness and his troubled past. Recently diagnosed with Systemic Necrotizing Periarteritis (SNiP), a rare autoimmune disorder, he faces an inevitable decline in his physical health, which mirrors the emotional and psychological turmoil he has carried for years.
Abe’s life has been shaped by a series of disconnects, particularly his struggle to reconcile his Mohawk heritage with his urban life in Miami. His relationship with his wife, Alex, is also fraught with emotional distance, exacerbated by their open relationship and Abe’s own identity crisis.
Abe’s journey through illness becomes a pathway to self-discovery, where he confronts his fears, regrets, and the generational trauma of his people. His interactions with family members, especially his great uncle Budge, who is an unconventional healer, guide him toward a better understanding of his past and cultural identity.
As Abe navigates the physical decline brought by his illness, he also begins to find healing in his writing and in reconnecting with his roots, showing that his path to healing is as much emotional and spiritual as it is physical.
Budge
Budge is Abe’s great uncle and a significant figure in Old School Indian, serving as both a healer and a spiritual guide. Known for his quirky and eccentric behavior, Budge stands apart from conventional medical practices, offering Abe a form of healing that is deeply rooted in their Mohawk heritage.
Despite Abe’s skepticism about Budge’s unorthodox methods, he soon realizes the healing power of his uncle’s approach. Budge’s healing techniques are symbolic, using metaphors and rituals that challenge Abe’s modern sensibilities but ultimately lead him toward a sense of inner peace.
Budge’s own troubled past, including struggles with alcoholism and abuse, adds layers to his character, revealing that his wisdom is borne of personal pain and transformation. Through his conversations with Abe, Budge imparts valuable lessons about life, death, and healing, and the complexities of reconciling with one’s roots.
His presence in Abe’s life is a catalyst for the younger man’s self-realization and acceptance of his identity.
Sis
Sis, Abe’s sister, plays a pivotal role in Old School Indian as a source of emotional support and guidance. As an herbalist, Sis has chosen a path that contrasts sharply with Abe’s life in Miami, where he is estranged from the natural world.
Her life on the Mohawk reservation is centered around alternative healing practices, which positions her as a bridge between the traditional ways of their people and the modern world. Despite their differing life paths, Sis and Abe share a close bond, often engaging in lighthearted banter that masks deeper emotional pain.
Sis is aware of the generational trauma that affects their family, and she encourages Abe to seek spiritual healing from their uncle Budge. Her nurturing presence provides Abe with moments of comfort, but she also challenges him to confront his inner struggles, including his sense of alienation from both his family and his heritage.
Through Sis, Abe is reminded of the importance of community and tradition, which gradually leads him toward an understanding of his place in the world.
Alex
Alex is Abe’s former partner, whose departure from his life marks a significant emotional turning point in his journey. Though their relationship was unconventional, with its open structure, Alex’s absence leaves Abe feeling unmoored and lost.
Her passion for music and teaching highlights the differences between them, as she is able to find focus and meaning in her work, while Abe struggles with his identity and the direction of his life. Despite the pain her departure causes, Abe’s reflections on their relationship reveal his deep emotional attachment to her, even as he rejects any attempts at reconciliation.
Alex’s role in the narrative emphasizes the themes of love, loss, and the complexity of relationships. Her own struggles with her identity are also explored, and through her interactions with Abe, the novel delves into the emotional distance that time and unresolved issues can create.
Alex’s absence is a constant shadow in Abe’s journey toward healing, as he works through his feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and longing.
Cheryl
Cheryl, a former lover of Abe’s, reappears in Old School Indian, offering a moment of nostalgia and reflection on the passage of time. Their brief reunion serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional distances created by both time and trauma.
Cheryl’s life, shaped by survival and the struggles of being Indigenous, contrasts with Abe’s, highlighting the varied experiences of their people. While Abe has found himself grappling with his health and identity, Cheryl has carved out a life that is no less complicated, marked by personal challenges and the weight of history.
Her character provides Abe with a moment of connection to his past, yet their interaction underscores the emotional scars that remain even after years have passed. Cheryl’s presence also reflects the broader themes of the novel, particularly the impact of generational trauma and the complexity of human relationships within the context of cultural survival.
Themes
Healing and Transformation
The central theme in Old School Indian revolves around the concept of healing, not just on a physical level, but also emotionally and spiritually. Abe’s journey toward healing is intertwined with his physical struggles from Systemic Necrotizing Periarteritis, a debilitating autoimmune disease, and his emotional battles with past trauma, identity, and strained family relationships.
His healing process is both literal and metaphorical, as it requires him to confront his painful history, including generational trauma, personal regrets, and unresolved emotional wounds. The method of healing provided by his great-uncle Budge is unconventional and spiritual, guiding Abe through the complex process of self-awareness, acceptance, and reconciliation with his body, his past, and his identity.
Budge’s metaphysical approach, which includes rituals and teachings rooted in Mohawk traditions, offers Abe a pathway not only to relief from his physical symptoms but also to an understanding of the larger forces at play in his life, such as cultural loss, familial connections, and spiritual disconnection.
The theme of healing is extended beyond Abe’s immediate suffering, reflecting a broader commentary on the importance of reconnecting with one’s heritage and community for a sense of holistic well-being. While modern medicine provides physical remedies, Budge’s teachings highlight the necessity of emotional and spiritual healing, often overlooked in conventional treatments.
As Abe progresses through the ritual, his connection to his cultural roots becomes integral to his journey of recovery, suggesting that true healing encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. Ultimately, healing for Abe is not about curing his illness, but finding peace and acceptance in the face of inevitable decline.
Identity and Belonging
Abe’s struggle with his identity is another profound theme in Old School Indian. His return to Ahkwesáhsne to confront his illness forces him to reflect on his complicated relationship with his Mohawk heritage and his place within both his community and the broader world.
Having spent much of his adult life in Miami, away from his ancestral home, Abe feels alienated from both his Mohawk roots and the modern world in which he resides. This disconnection from his heritage is further compounded by his relationship with Alex, his partner, and the cultural tensions that arise from their different backgrounds.
The novel deftly explores the complexities of Indigenous identity, particularly the conflict between retaining cultural traditions and adapting to modern, often westernized, values and lifestyles. Abe’s journey is not just about coming to terms with his health; it is a journey of self-discovery, as he grapples with questions of belonging and cultural authenticity.
Abe’s reflections on his life, especially his relationship with Alex, illuminate the struggles many Indigenous individuals face when navigating the complexities of identity in a world that often marginalizes or erases their heritage. His discomfort with his mixed identity—feeling disconnected from his Mohawk community while also not fully fitting into the dominant society—speaks to the larger experience of Indigenous peoples who must balance tradition with modernity.
His strained relationship with his family also highlights the generational rifts that can arise from cultural differences, making his journey of self-discovery and reconciliation not only a personal but also a cultural endeavor. Abe’s eventual understanding of his roots, through the spiritual guidance of Budge, helps him reconcile his place within both his family and his community, ultimately bringing him closer to a sense of self-acceptance.
Generational Trauma
Generational trauma is a pervasive theme in Old School Indian, deeply affecting the characters and shaping their emotional and psychological landscapes. This theme is explored primarily through Abe’s relationship with his family, particularly his great-uncle Budge and his reflections on the broader history of his people.
The novel poignantly highlights how the Mohawk community, like many Indigenous groups, has endured the long-lasting impacts of colonization, which have been passed down through generations. Budge’s past, filled with struggles with alcoholism and abuse, exemplifies how the scars of historical trauma manifest in personal and familial struggles.
For Abe, the awareness of this trauma shapes his understanding of his own pain and identity, as he realizes that his health issues and emotional turmoil are not just his own but part of a larger, inherited cycle of suffering.
The novel suggests that healing from generational trauma requires confronting the painful truths of the past and acknowledging the ongoing effects of colonialism on Indigenous peoples. As Abe learns more about his family’s history and the cultural losses they have suffered, he begins to understand that his own pain is not isolated, but a continuation of a collective experience of grief and loss.
This realization serves as both a burden and a source of empowerment, as Abe comes to terms with the complexities of his heritage. The process of healing, then, is not just about personal recovery, but about breaking free from the cycle of trauma that has plagued his ancestors.
In the context of the novel, the confrontation of generational trauma is crucial for Abe to move forward in his life, helping him to regain a sense of agency and purpose despite his illness.
Colonialism and Cultural Loss
Colonialism and its devastating effects on Indigenous cultures form an essential theme in Old School Indian, reflecting the larger historical context within which Abe’s personal struggles unfold. The novel examines how the legacy of colonialism continues to impact Indigenous communities, not only in the form of historical violence and displacement but also through ongoing cultural erasure and assimilation.
Abe’s experience as a Mohawk man in a modern, often hostile, world speaks to the marginalization of Indigenous peoples, both within their own communities and in the broader societal framework. His alienation is a direct result of the colonial forces that have worked to suppress and undermine his people’s history, culture, and identity.
The theme of cultural loss is explored through Abe’s disconnection from his heritage, his struggles to find meaning within his Mohawk identity, and the generational trauma passed down through his family. This loss is also evident in the medical exploitation of Indigenous peoples, where the healthcare system often disregards their needs and history.
Abe’s experience with his illness, which medical professionals struggle to understand, serves as a metaphor for the larger issue of Indigenous people being seen as “other” within mainstream society. However, the novel also offers a critique of the colonial mindset by showing how Abe’s cultural heritage, when re-embraced, offers him the tools for healing and self-understanding.
The spiritual and cultural healing practices passed down through his family, particularly through Budge, offer an alternative to Western medicine, symbolizing the resilience of Indigenous knowledge and traditions in the face of ongoing cultural destruction.
The Human Condition and Mortality
Old School Indian also explores the universal themes of mortality, the fragility of the human body, and the search for meaning in life. Abe’s struggle with his terminal illness serves as a poignant reflection on the inevitability of death and the existential questions that arise when faced with one’s own mortality.
Throughout his journey, Abe is confronted with the physical deterioration of his body, a process that mirrors his emotional disintegration. His disease, which will ultimately rob him of his memories and identity, forces him to grapple with the meaning of life itself.
The novel presents death as an inescapable part of the human condition, but also emphasizes that facing death can lead to profound moments of clarity and self-realization.
Abe’s acceptance of his disease and his reflections on what it means to live and die offer a meditation on the impermanence of life. His cathartic moment of release, when he punches a tree in frustration, symbolizes his acknowledgment of his own vulnerability and the complexity of his feelings towards his impending decline.
The theme of mortality also intersects with the theme of healing, as Abe learns that while his body may deteriorate, his spirit and sense of self can still find purpose and meaning. In the end, Old School Indian suggests that the journey through life, with all its pain and uncertainty, is also an opportunity to come to terms with one’s existence and find peace within it.