Only when I spoke our language could they really see me.
-- Winona (chapter 1)

Importance: This quote represents Winona's alienation from her heritage and her language. As she lives in a nearly all-white community, she does not have access to information about her tribe and her customs.

But John Cole being a wise man saw other things. He had no rosy pictures. He knew what the world was like and what the world would say and then what the world would do. How right he was in everything mostly.
-- John Cole (chapter 2)

Importance: This quote represents John Cole's realistic way of viewing the world. He does not pretend that his life is perfect or that the world is perfect, preferring to see and engage with all of the flaws no matter how much the truth can hurt.

I was less than the least of them. I was less than the whores in the whorehouse, except maybe for them...
-- Winona (chapter 3)