While reading the “Three Day Road” it is obvious how the narrative dimensions develop both plot and character growth. This story, told in a series of back flashes of both Niska and her nephew Xavior, builds layers of present day and past experiences relating to a variety of issues surrounding colonialism and WWI from the perspective of First Nations in Canada. Some of these issues touch on the struggle to find acceptance in both present and past- in both Canada and the unfamiliar territory of WWI; as well as the Residential School system, loss of culture and criminalization of culture.

The structure of the narrative reflects that of “the Handmaids Tale” which also utilizes time and back flashes to create a necessary depth to the characters often essential to create a strong emotional bond to the characters personalities and experiences. This also conveys necessary, perhaps historical, information for the reader to have an insightful perspective of that of the characters. This perspective may make or break the way the reader feels towards the characters; and may even explain why the characters feel a certain way. For example, it is necessary to character building to include information about both Xavior and Niskas encounters with residential schools. This gives different perspectives on how different genders and different age ranges remember their time in the schools. It is also relevant to for the time period in general to remind the reader of the dark realities of colonialism in the eyes of First Nations. Niska has vivid, forceful and violent memories of being taken to residential schools. She goes from being a privileged and respected member of her Native society to becoming lost in the assimilation of a culture that she does not understand. This undoubtedly effects how she feels towards the predominately “white” culture and causes her immense struggle with not only the cultural identity of her society as a whole but also her own personal identity. Xavior has a relatively brief experience in residential schools compared to that of his aunt, and instead fondly remembers embracing his culture through hunting and the survival skills he learned throughout his youth. The novel also focuses on a strong bond between Xavior and his friend Elijah, who assimilates better into “white” culture than Xavior. This in turn develops into Xavior’s feelings of envy, while and simultaneously resenting Elijah for his ability to fit in amongst the other Canadians. This is both advantageous and detrimental to his time in the war, as his hunting skills prove exceptionally prestigious for himself and Elijah, but he also feels alienated and resented by the other men serving. These feelings of exclusion are furthered by Xavoirs lack English. Elijah, who has adequate English and a likable personality, gets along exceptionally well with most of the other men. This also perplexes Xaviors feelings of being an outsider, as well as builds into further resentment of the Canadians, and to some extent Elijah. This complex and deep rooted resentment felt by both Xavior and Niska towards “white” culture is more easily apprehendable and relatable when built using narrative dimensions of time and flash backs.