In Angeline Boulley's "Warrior Girl Unearthed," readers are introduced to Perry Firekeeper-Birch, a Native teen who is ready for a relaxing summer but instead finds herself working to pay for repairs to her aunt's Jeep. However, this unexpected turn of events leads Perry to uncover a significant historical injustice. When Perry attends a meeting at a local university, she learns about the Warrior Girl – an ancestor whose bones and sacred knife are being wrongfully held in the museum's archives. Determined to return the Warrior Girl and twelve other Anishinaabe ancestors to their rightful resting place, Perry and her friends devise a plan to orchestrate a daring heist. As they navigate the complex legal landscape of NAGPRA (the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), the group uncovers deeper mysteries and secrets.
Boulley’s decision to centre the story around the repatriation of ancestral remains and sacred items is a bold and necessary move, shedding light on the ongoing struggles faced by Native communities to reclaim their cultural heritage. Boulley's meticulous research into NAGPRA and the legal hurdles surrounding repatriation efforts adds an authentic and informative layer to the plot, making the reader acutely aware of the injustices that have persisted for far too long.
Moreover, the novel's protagonist, Perry, is a well-crafted and relatable character, whose determination to right a historical wrong is both inspiring and heart-breaking. Boulley's portrayal of Perry's relationship with her twin sister, Pauline, adds emotional depth to the narrative, exploring the complexities of sibling dynamics and the impact of mental health struggles.
But what truly sets this novel apart is the way Boulley weaves the elements of mystery, activism, and personal growth into a cohesive and engaging narrative. The heist plan conceived by Perry and her friends is a thrilling and clever plot device that keeps the reader invested, while the exploration of deeper themes, such as the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women, adds a relevant edge.
Overall, "Warrior Girl Unearthed" is a powerful novel that offers readers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing fight for Native American rights.
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