pickFirst book completed for #CanadaReads 2025
The title suggests that this memoir will focus on Ma-Nee Chacaby's journey as a Two-Spirit person, but that is only one part of the much larger story of her life. Born in the 1950s in a tuberculosis sanitorium, this powerful memoir tells an (almost*) complete story of life as an Indigenous woman in Ontario, with all the traumas and triumphs therein.
Cont'd in commments
TheKidUpstairs Chacaby does not shy away from the more difficult parts of her story -trigger warnings for physical and sexual abuse, addiction and alcoholism, homophobia and homophobic violence, racism, homelessness - but I was struck by her ability to remain open to connection and community through it all. cont'd 7m
TheKidUpstairs There are many stories of horrific acts committed by deeply damaged people (it is not by any means an easy read), but there are also many beautiful acts of kindness and help given, by loved ones and by strangers, that Chacaby then continues to radiate out to the world. This is an important read for a Canada Reads/group read setting, as she touches on so many issues and moments that offer a jumping off point for further study and discussion cont'd 5m
TheKidUpstairs And an afterword by Mary Louise Plummer (the co-author) offers interesting insights into collaborative storytelling, particularly that between Indigenous people and white settler social science and history. And both the difficulties and potential presented by translating oral storytelling to a physical book. 3m
TheKidUpstairs *(I say almost because Ma-Nee is still living her life, not because the book is lacking) now
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