Chapter 40: Shagala Revelations and Betrayals
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary (Complete and Chronological)
The chapter opens with Daunis and Jamie driving back to Chi Mukwa after the benefit hockey game. Jamie embraces her, saying he loves her and is not going anywhere, offering a hand-squeeze code: three squeezes for "I love you." Daunis is hesitant but accepts the gesture.
The next evening, Jamie picks her up for the Shagala dance in a black suit. He is speechless when he sees Daunis in her scandalous jumpsuit, with GrandMary's earrings and natural hair. He gives her a beaded strawberry bracelet made by cousin Eva, symbolizing certainty. They walk through the resort parade and pose for photos with family. Levi, Stormy, Mike, Macy, and their dates are present. Jamie uses hand squeezes to communicate.
At the ballroom, after a blessing and introductions, Coach Alberts calls Levi to give the keynote address. Levi speaks in Anishinaabemowin but then adopts what Daunis recognizes as a "humble Indian" performance. Macy insults Daunis about being enrolled by only one vote. Levi gifts Daunis their father's ceremonial bone choker, saying he couldn't find the scarf. He whispers he left a surprise at her house.
Jamie and Daunis dance; Jamie executes smooth moves while protecting her injured shoulder. Daunis notices TJ is no longer a threat. She goes to the restroom, where Ron confronts her. Ron reveals that Jamie's scar came from a previous undercover assignment gone bad, and that Jamie proposed getting close to Daunis as part of the investigation. Stunned, Daunis retreats to a stall. TJ then enters and says Jamie is "no good," linking Levi to threats. TJ confesses that Levi threatened to slash his Achilles tendon because of their relationship, and that the Tribal Police dismissed the complaint. TJ calls Daunis wrong about him.
Returning to the ballroom, Daunis is approached by Call-me-Grant, who mentions a security video from his office and invites her to his room, implying he knows about her intrusion. The chapter ends with Daunis’s blood turning to ice.
Key Events
- Jamie and Daunis share an intimate moment, establishing a hand-squeeze code for "I love you."
- Jamie gives Daunis a beaded strawberry bracelet, a gift from Eva.
- Levi delivers a keynote speech that Daunis finds inauthentic and performative.
- Macy insults Daunis about her tribal enrollment.
- Levi gives Daunis their father's ceremonial choker, promising a surprise at her house.
- Jamie and Daunis dazzle on the dance floor.
- Ron reveals Jamie's scar origin and that Jamie suggested getting close to Daunis as a UC strategy.
- TJ confesses that Levi threatened him to end his relationship with Daunis, and that police did nothing.
- Call-me-Grant alludes to having a security video and invites Daunis to his room.
Character Development
Daunis: Her emotional guard slowly lowers as she begins to trust Jamie, but Ron’s revelation shatters that trust. She is forced to confront that Jamie may be manipulating her. TJ's confession also forces her to reevaluate Levi’s character. She remains resolute but shaken.
Jamie: His sincerity is questioned. While his actions at the dance seem loving, Ron’s claim that he volunteered to get close to Daunis for the case suggests ulterior motives. His backstory as a UC officer who nearly died is revealed.
Levi: The chapter exposes Levi as a manipulative, threatening figure. TJ’s story shows he uses intimidation to control those around Daunis. His speech reveals a performative side that Daunis finds disingenuous.
Call-me-Grant: His predatory nature is confirmed as he hints at blackmail material and invites Daunis to a private meeting.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Trust vs. Deception: The hand-squeeze code symbolizes intimacy and certainty, but Ron’s and TJ’s revelations undermine that trust. The strawberry bracelet also represents Jamie's promise, now tainted.
Cultural Authenticity: Levi’s speech—performed for a non-Native audience—contrasts with the genuine Indigenous practices (blessing, language) shown elsewhere. Daunis’s criticism highlights the theme of performative vs. real identity.
Family Secrets: The choker connects Daunis to her father, but Levi’s involvement in threatening TJ reveals a darker side of family loyalty.
Investigation Entanglement: Ron’s warning underscores how personal relationships and police work collide, jeopardizing the case.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 40 is the emotional climax of Daunis’s trust in both Jamie and Levi. It reveals the complexity of her relationships and the depth of manipulation around her. The chapter sets up major revelations: Jamie’s agenda, Levi’s criminality, and Grant’s possession of incriminating footage. It deepens the mystery and raises the stakes for the investigation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Daunis criticize Levi’s keynote speech?
Daunis finds the speech inauthentic because Levi uses exaggerated inflections and a “humble Indian” routine that panders to the white audience. She sees it as a performance rather than a genuine expression of his culture.
2. How does Ron’s revelation about Jamie change the meaning of the hand-squeeze code?
Ron reveals that Jamie proposed getting close to Daunis as part of his UC assignment. This makes the intimate code feel like a tactical tool rather than a genuine expression of love, casting doubt on Jamie’s feelings.
3. What do TJ’s confession and Call-me-Grant’s invitation suggest about the dangers Daunis faces?
TJ’s confession shows that Levi is willing to use violence and threats to control Daunis’s relationships, while Grant’s invitation and reference to a video imply he has leverage over her. Both indicate that Daunis is surrounded by people who hide dangerous secrets.