• Rite of Passage: A ceremonial event marking a person's transition from one stage of life to another, often associated with adulthood.
• Tribe: A social group consisting of people with a common ancestry, culture, and history.
• Shaman: A spiritual leader or healer in some Native American cultures, believed to have the ability to communicate with the spirit world.
• Sacred: Regarded with reverence and respect; often associated with things of a divine or spiritual nature.
• Maturity: The state of being fully developed physically, mentally, and emotionally; adulthood.

Vocabulary

• How does the protagonist express her cultural identity throughout the passage?
• What is the significance of Ta-Na-E-Ka in the protagonist's culture?
• What role does nature play in the Ta-Na-E-Ka ritual, and how does it contribute to the protagonist's experience?
• Discuss the protagonist's individualistic approach to Ta-Na-E-Ka. How does she adapt to the challenges she faces?
• What does the story suggest about forming connections and learning from individuals from different cultural backgrounds?
• Identify any symbols in the passage. What do these symbols represent within the context of the story?

Discussion