Discuss the representation of Native people in the play Walsh by Sharon Pollock.

There are
differing views of the Native
Americans presented in Pollock's
Walsh.

Most of the "Indians" are similar to
those of
any race: they fight to defend themselves, and they are
realists
that work hard to survive even in the face of adversity.

Louis is a Metis
scout, extremely knowledgeable about other tribes,
and human nature. Of
Walsh he says:

He care a lot and so he yell a lot,
eh?

He also tells Clarence that books can be harmed
by
the elements and be gone ("pouf!"), but what must really be studied is
what is in
one's head and heart, and getting along with one another, and with
the world at large. Louis is
a realist as well. He knows that the Indians
that live at Fort Walsh will never be able to farm,
just as Walsh knows. But
Walsh also believes the Indians must prepare for change. Louis
responds, the
stage directions note, almost gently:

Ever since he was born, he has eaten wild meat. His father
and his
grandfather ate wild meat. He cannot give up quickly the customs of
his fathers.