#6. What was Junior’s grandmother’s greatest gift? What has happened to Indians’ sense of tolerance? Why has that occurred? (Natalie Gersen)

Junior’s Grandmother’s greatest gift in life was her tolerance. In the past Indians were known for their tolerance and ability to have an open mind towards the LGBTQ+ community. Differences among sexual orientation were often celebrated within Indian tribes in past, but currently homophobic ideals are enforced on the rez. Indians have lost their ability of tolerance due to the fact that “ever since white people showed up and brought along their Christianity and their fears of  eccentricity” (Alexie, 155). The lack of tolerance on the Rez has become apparent in Junior’s life when Rowdy beats Junior up because he was ‘acting gay’. The majority of the rez, including it’s youth has clearly lost all of its tolerance, so the fact that Junior’s Grandmother has gone against societal norms shows how she does not necessarily influenced by the rez. Junior’s Grandmother was able to retain old Indian ideals that help perpetuate tolerance in a community where difference is shamed, which is one of the reasons she was so accepting of Junior’s wishes to go to Reardan, even thought he is going against societal norms.