Thus, we can say that "borders" has two significant and symbolic meanings that are used in the two basic conflicts found in the story: man versus society, and man versus himself. .
Blackfoot Tribe is found on both Canadian and American land. Today, Native-Americans face ethnical issues between their culture and the Canadian-American culture. When the Canadian guard asked where they were heading to and where did they come from, the protagonist's reply to both question was, "Standoff". In a respectful manner, the border guard makes a comment that goes against what the protagonist believes in, "I know and I"d be proud of being Blackfoot if I were Blackfoot. But you have to be American or Canadian." (Thomas King, page 27) Subliminally, this comment meant that the rest of the society is not in her situation so it does not matter. She still had to be on either side. The protagonist denies both Canadian and American sides and instead states that she is on the "Blackfoot side". As a result, the border guards of both countries turn the mother and son away. This is conflict of man versus society. Both groups have a different definition of identity. The guards, contrary to what the protagonist believes, think that "Blackfoot" is not sufficient to define one's identity. In the following morning, the protagonist and her son drive to the American border once again. The same process went on about their citizenship and the same reply was given. But instead of turning them away, the border guards thanked them kindly and let the through. Proven so, the protagonist never gave up on her own identity even if she had to struggle to keep it alive. She had the decision to give up on her beliefs and say she was Canadian or stick with her view and insist that she was a Blackfoot. She never denied her heritage and stood her ground until the end. Thus, her insistence forced the American border guard to allow her to enter the United States.
