Significance of Niska's relationship with the French trapper

Niska's relationship with the French trapper is symbolic of the bigger relationship between the white men who have moved into North America and the indigenous people who were already there. At the beginning of their relationship, Niska resented that the French trapper had moved in, just like the indigenous people were resentful and wary of the first white settlers in North America. Eventually, Niska tries to seduce the French trapper and lead him to her shelter. That part of their relationship represents the indigenous peoples of North America helping the white settlers to survive and how they began to trade with them.