Editing There There by Tommy Orange (section)

=== The Legacy of Trauma ===
Another significant theme in ''There There'' is the legacy of trauma, both personal and collective. Orange delves into the deep and painful scars left by centuries of colonialism, forced assimilation, and violence against Native people. The characters in the novel are, in many ways, survivors of this history. They live with the weight of historical trauma, which manifests in various ways: addiction, violence, broken families, and identity confusion.

One of the most powerful moments in the book is when the characters’ paths converge at the Oakland Powwow, an event that becomes a symbolic space for reclaiming and revitalizing Native culture. The Powwow serves as a moment of convergence for these fractured lives, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage and, in some ways, begin to heal.