QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What impressions does Rising Fawn first have of the white couple and their customs? What impressions do they have of her? How do these change over time? Have you ever changed your mind about someone after getting to know him or her better?

2. What does hearth fire mean to Rising Fawn? What does it mean to the white couple? How does the fire change their relationship?

3. When Rising Fawn came to live with the white family, she was asked to change her dress, her hair, and her shoes to fit in. How did this make her feel? Have you ever moved to a new place, or had some other experience where you felt “different” from everyone else? How did you react?

4. What does the pouch of kernels mean to Rising Fawn? Do you own, or wear, something that holds a special meaning for you? Is there a story behind it?

5. Do you have friends that observe different customs or holidays than you do? What have you learned from them?

6. Why is Rising Fawn considered a survivor? What difficulties was she forced to overcome, and how did she cope?

7. What other inspiring stories of survival have you heard or seen on television? What about the children displaced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina? What do you think life has been like for them?

8. Rising Fawn finds comfort in her grandmother’s wisdom. Why do you think elders are so respected in Native American culture? Have you ever turned to an “elder” for advice in times of trouble?

9. What did Rising Fawn’s grandmother mean when she said: “You must listen with your spirit-eyes and spirit-ears” instead of your “body-eyes and body-ears”? How did this help Rising Fawn?

10. This story has been passed down from generation to generation for more than 150 years. Is there a story in your family that is important to you? Is there a way you might preserve it for future generations?

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