Firekeeper’s Daughter

by

Angeline Boulley

Heather Nodin Character Analysis

Heather Nodin is one of Daunis’s classmates; Daunis finds her body on Duck Island, though it’s never explicitly made clear how Heather died (or, possibly, was killed). She’s seen in the community as something of a tragic poster child for how per-cap payments can lead to abuse and manipulation, as for much of her childhood, her biological father, Joey Nodin, refused to acknowledge she was his daughter. But when per cap started, he set Heather’s mom up for a drug bust so he could take custody, enroll her in the Tribe, and then take her per-cap checks. Heather’s situation led to the Tribe changing enrollment rules to try to protect other kids, but it wasn’t enough to help Heather: Daunis explains that Heather has seemed lost and unaffected for years, and when Daunis speaks to Heather at a bonfire, it’s clear Heather is heavily using drugs and is selling drugs of various types.

Heather Nodin Quotes in Firekeeper’s Daughter

The Firekeeper’s Daughter quotes below are all either spoken by Heather Nodin or refer to Heather Nodin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Justice Theme Icon
).
Chapter 22 Quotes

“She used to be Heather Swanson,” I say. “Everyone knew her dad was Joey Nodin, but he denied it. Supposedly he threatened Heather’s mom when she asked for child support. But once the casino opened and the Tribe started paying per cap, Joey claimed paternity and enrolled Heather in the Tribe. People say Joey paid her mom’s shady boyfriend to set her up for a drug bust so she would lose custody. The custodial parent gets the kid’s minor money.”

Related Characters: Daunis Fontaine (speaker), Jamie Johnson, Grant Edwards, Heather Nodin
Page Number: 197
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 43 Quotes

Nibwaakaawin. Auntie told me the translation, breaking down each part of the word so it made perfect sense: To be wise is to live with an abundance of sight.

My whole life I’ve wanted to be like my aunt. The way a person dreams about being a ballerina, but not of broken toes and years of practice. I wanted to be a strong and wise Nish kwe, never considering how that abundance of sight would be earned.

I wanted to find out who was involved in the meth madness that took Lily and Uncle David. Robin and Heather, too. And the kids in Minnesota who got so sick from meth-X.

The person I was searching for this whole time was Levi.

Wisdom is not bestowed. In its raw state, it is the heartbreak of knowing things you wish you didn’t.

Related Characters: Daunis Fontaine (speaker), Levi Firekeeper, Lily, Travis Flint, Auntie Teddie, Uncle David, Heather Nodin, Robin Bailey
Page Number: 392-393
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Firekeeper’s Daughter LitChart as a printable PDF.
Firekeeper’s Daughter PDF

Heather Nodin Quotes in Firekeeper’s Daughter

The Firekeeper’s Daughter quotes below are all either spoken by Heather Nodin or refer to Heather Nodin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Justice Theme Icon
).
Chapter 22 Quotes

“She used to be Heather Swanson,” I say. “Everyone knew her dad was Joey Nodin, but he denied it. Supposedly he threatened Heather’s mom when she asked for child support. But once the casino opened and the Tribe started paying per cap, Joey claimed paternity and enrolled Heather in the Tribe. People say Joey paid her mom’s shady boyfriend to set her up for a drug bust so she would lose custody. The custodial parent gets the kid’s minor money.”

Related Characters: Daunis Fontaine (speaker), Jamie Johnson, Grant Edwards, Heather Nodin
Page Number: 197
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 43 Quotes

Nibwaakaawin. Auntie told me the translation, breaking down each part of the word so it made perfect sense: To be wise is to live with an abundance of sight.

My whole life I’ve wanted to be like my aunt. The way a person dreams about being a ballerina, but not of broken toes and years of practice. I wanted to be a strong and wise Nish kwe, never considering how that abundance of sight would be earned.

I wanted to find out who was involved in the meth madness that took Lily and Uncle David. Robin and Heather, too. And the kids in Minnesota who got so sick from meth-X.

The person I was searching for this whole time was Levi.

Wisdom is not bestowed. In its raw state, it is the heartbreak of knowing things you wish you didn’t.

Related Characters: Daunis Fontaine (speaker), Levi Firekeeper, Lily, Travis Flint, Auntie Teddie, Uncle David, Heather Nodin, Robin Bailey
Page Number: 392-393
Explanation and Analysis: