What is the purpose of Cole's daily totem carving?

Cole's daily carving was intended to give him a way to heal.... to help him heal.

Staring down at the ground and speaking almost in a whisper, Colesaid,“I started making a canoe, but I knew that was wrong, so I cut this deep groove so I couldn’t try again. When I started carving the eagle, I finally slept good.”Cole ended by telling about his eagle dance and what he had learned.“Are you mad at me?” he asked.

“I’m proud that you carved a totem and were honest with me,”Edwin said.

Cole paused.“You said I wouldn’t heal all the way until I discovered one thing. Can’t you just tell me what that is? I don’t feel like I’m healing at all.”

Edwin shook his head.“You’ll discover what it is when you’re ready to understand.”