Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is influenced by his ancestry. His Native American culture has many stories that have an effect on their lifestyles, rituals, and newer stories from present generations. The Native American story, “The Coyote and Buffalo” retold by Mourning Dove, have guided the story’s plot line through the relationships of Junior and both of the worlds he lives in. There is a literal influence on the story as well as a general influence. The relationship between Junior and the Reservation is inspired by the Coyote and Buffalo; the Coyote is Junior and he befriends Rowdy who is the Buffalo. They face the Reservation as a pair; The coyote is hungry for food similar to how Junior is hungry for higher
