Neither Wolf Nor Dog

As Nerburn spends more time on the reservation, he becomes mesmerized by the landscape of the open plains. Dan compliments Nerburn for his ability to sit in silence, saying that most white people speak too much. He explains that indigenous children are taught to think critically before they speak or act, and that white teachers often confuse this for ignorance or belligerence. Dan says that remaining silent allows him to listen to the voices of the Earth as expressed in wind, land, and animal life. He tells Nerburn that he can hear the voices of his dead ancestors; Nerburn remembers sensing the presence of graves while on a peyote trip in the 1960s. Dan claims to be able to communicate with his dog, Fatback. Nerburn accepts this, rather than trying to prove his claims, just as an anthropologist might.

Dan and Nerburn drive to visit Grover. Nerburn is fond of Grover, despite the fact that he knows Grover does not fully trust him. On the drive, Nerburn is surprised to see junk cars and other abandoned property around the reservation. Dan notices that Nerburn is bothered by the reservation’s aesthetics, and explains that indigenous people see modern cities as equally full of junk.