Gordy has had the most valuable impact on Junior’s identity because it was Gordy who made Junior realize that he belongs in many myriad places, not just the tribe he hails from. For example, through Gordy, Junior comes to the realization that “ [he and Gordy] have a tribe of two" (Alexie 132). Gordy had planted the idea in Junior’s head that he was part of an innumerable, myriad collection of “tribes.” This proved to Junior that no matter how weird or different he is, he will always belong somewhere, and can take pride in knowing that he belongs. In addition to this, with Junior mentioning to Gordy how he believes that it is necessary to become white to be white, Gordy responds by saying “If that were true, then wouldn't all white people be
