Hope vs. Desperation in The Marrow Thieves

     While reading The Marrow Thieves, I was struck just by how much Miig's clan is willing to trust strangers that they come upon while traveling through the woods. A prominent theme throughout the novel is theme, but I have to wonder how much desperation influences their decisions to interact with and trust the various groups of Natives that they encounter. 

    One of the biggest plotholes in the novel, in my opinion, is when Miig's clan first becomes aware of Lincoln and Travis. Wab asks, "Two of them? One bigger than the other? One in a red hat? ... That's them" (114). In Wab's coming-to story, it is revealed that these men play a part in Wab's physical abuse. She tells the clan that she knows it is these men who are responsible for the abuse. Still, they decided to go "on a path to intercept the two figures" (117). It makes me wonder: why would the clan still approach these men after Wab tells them that they were involved in abusing her? It is true that the group is hopeful that they will come across genuine Natives, as this may expose them to resources, protection, and connection to their own identity. However, I think with their hope for these assets comes desperation, and I think that is why Miig's clan ultimately decides to approach Lincoln and Travis despite Wab's concerns. The clan is exclusively living in the woods where resources are scarce and are constantly on the run to avoid being caught by Recruiters, so it makes sense why they would be compelled to approach Lincoln and Travis. 

    Another instance of Miig's clan (and members of the Council) approaching Natives occurs at the very end of the novel. After Minerva passes, Miig's no longer have their rock that grounds them to their Native roots. French explains about the reasoning behind approaching Natives after her passing, "No one could replace Minerva, but we'd be lying if we said finding someone like her wasn't on everybody's minds these days" (222). Minerva's absence has obviously severed the familial bond between Miig's clan because she is what has connected them with their identity, so they are hopeful that they can find someone who can tie their family back together. The clan takes another chance at approaching another group of Natives, and they know their hope of finding someone who can connect them to their identity like Minerva when Miig "pulled Issac, the man who dreamed in Cree, home to his love" (231). It is at this moment that the group knows that they will be a family once again. They are not so desperate in this moment, but instead, they are able to hope for a better future together as a family.