How is the Spirit Bear important to the theme of nature?

While the Spirit Bear is real in this story, it is also a symbol for Cole's quest for healing and forgiveness. He has to forgive others for their actions toward him and to forgive himself for having hurt others. Both are difficult and Cole himself stands in the way of reaching those goals. When Cole is finally able to lose his sense of self to the natural surroundings, the Spirit Bear begins to regularly show itself. With that, Cole begins the path toward healing.