two realize they accidentally kidnapped a baby that was in the backseat of the car. They're stuck in a blizzard when they see June drive in front of them. Gerry goes to be with June, leaving Lipsha taking care of a child in the middle of a snow storm. Major Themes Gambling According to Kristan Sarvé-Gorham, Erdrich comments on the rise of Native American gaming during the 1980s through Lyman and Lipsha. With the progression of legal actions, such as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, Lyman was able to have a successful casino. Lyman becomes addicted to gambling by playing the slot machines and soon sells Nector's pipe just to get money. Lipsha gambles in order to change his own luck but feels empty after each winning. As Sarvé-Gorham explains, Erdrich illustrates the dangers of gambling by focusing on the things Lyman and Lipsha did not gain from their pursuits surrounding the Bingo Palace. Identity Jonathan Wilson argues that Erdrich depicts the journey of self-discovery through the characters of Lipsha and Shawnee Ray. In writing about the novel, Wilson states that being an indigenous person in America means one "must adapt, but they must not lose connection with their culture and customs." This becomes difficult for the two characters. Throughout the novel, Lipsha ponders on who he is and how to make good decisions. His relationship with Shawnee Ray is a rollercoaster he isn't sure how to deal with. He begins to regret helping Lyman with the new casino after having a vision of a skunk telling him not to do it. He becomes depressed because of both events. For Shawnee Ray, she discovers that she needs her independence after living with Zelda. She chooses going to college over staying at the reservation with Lipsha in order to better her and Redford's lives. Family Critics including Wilson have also noted the novel's strong thematic commentary on familial relationships. As Sarvé-Gorman points out, even though Lyman is Lipsha's uncle, the two rarely agree. They occasionally reference their relationship as uncle and nephew, but they still fight over Shawnee Ray and Nector's pipe. Furthermore, writer Meldan Tanrisal argues that while Zelda isn't Shawnee Ray's biological mother, she assumes the mother role, using Shawnee Ray as a substitute for her own daughter Albertine who has gone to live in the city. This causes tension between the two as Zelda thinks she