In the landscape of American literature, the "return narrative" is a powerful trope. It often involves a character who has strayed—physically or spiritually—from their origins, only to find that the answers they sought in the wider world were waiting for them all along at home. For a character like the Native American girl at the heart of such stories—a figure we might identify through the lens of the "Hoby Buchanan" archetype—this return is not merely a change of location. It is a reclamation of identity. Her journey suggests that while the modern world offers opportunity, the wisdom of one's ancestors provides the only true sustenance for the soul.
At 19, after completing her first year at the University of New Mexico, Hobybuchanon experienced a vivid dream. In it, her grandmother—whom she barely remembered—appeared wearing a turquoise squash blossom necklace and holding an eagle feather. The grandmother spoke only four words in Navajo: “Come home. We are waiting.” hobybuchanon native american indian girl returns best
Are you inspired by Hobybuchanon’s story? Share your own return journey using the hashtag #ReturnsBest. And for more articles on Indigenous excellence, leadership, and cultural revival, subscribe to our newsletter below. In the landscape of American literature, the "return
: This is a common literary trope found in older adventure novels, such as those by Edward S. Ellis, which depict the struggles and cultural shifts of young Native American women like Ahyoka or Minnehaha. Amazon.com 3. Cultural Representation of Native Women It is a reclamation of identity