Saskatchewan

Half-Breed | Maria Campbell

pick

There's no way I'm going to do this book justice in attempting to explain why it should be read.
This isn't about the quality of the writing, though it's staggering to recognize a young woman wrote this and conveyed such a strong feeling of being present at the moments of growing up, those early years of childhood innocence and joy, considering everything that came after, the brief moments of pure storytelling relaying family foibles, 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? ghost stories or legends, or that she relayed clearly, even sparely, so many traumas and heartbreaks.
I've never encountered such a comprehensive overview of all the issues that can negatively impact Indigenous woman in one self-portrait, only to be floored by the same person's quiet resolve to work for the solace and improvement of her community, all while recognizing how many government programs have failed them, 3d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? or actively worked against their interests. And the book offers still more in being a window into a specific time and place which provides history for later generations.
Campbell's new afterword is full of joy that there are so many examples of Indigenous art, writing, tradition-sharing, etc working towards decolonization. 3d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I'll list the content warnings so you know what you're in for, but I truly think if this book isn't in curriculum it should be. First person experience relayed by one so often marginalized as both a woman and a Métis person is valuable in and of itself. The hope is we're always ready when someone chooses to share about their life, and this is an opportunity to learn and gain resolve, to hold space and listen to know how to help, 3d

Robotswithpersonality 5/5 so Campbell's hopes for the future can come true. ❤️‍🩹

⚠️racism, misogyny, domestic abuse,child abuse, substance abuse, death in childbirth, death of a parent, SA, withdrawal, internalized racism, mental health concerns, generational trauma, self-harm, institutionalization, separation of children 3d

10 likes1 stack add4 comments

Robotswithpersonality

Half-Breed | Maria Campbell

“Dreams are so important in one's life, yet when followed blindly they can lead to the disintegration of one's soul.“ 💔

9 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Half-Breed | Maria Campbell

“I used to believe there was no worse sin in this country than to be poor.“

9 likes

shawnmooney

Cool Water | Dianne Warren

https://youtu.be/muA0hpZg7-k

#Victober

Intro

Mystery guest

Weekly highlights

Dominion by Addie E. Citchens

Mr. Wrong by Elizabeth Jane Howard

Emma by Jane Austen

Cool Water by Dianne Warren

Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson

Blurred Faces by Allan Radcliffe

Gaza Weddings by Ibrahim Nasrallah

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell

Above Us the Sea by Ania Card

Full House by M.J. Farrell

23 likes

shawnmooney

Small Reckonings | Karin Melberg Schwier

pick

https://youtu.be/3c_xeWOJ0A0

16 likes

Robotswithpersonality

Half-Breed | Maria Campbell

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, a day which recognizes the atrocities and multigenerational effects of residential school, that the forceful assimilation of Indigenous communities is cultural genocide.
Today, I'll be starting this memoir about the Metis author's harrowing young life as an Indigenous person in Canada. 🧡

GingerAntics Wow, that sounds like such an important holiday. It‘s beautiful to see. It‘s aptly named. I wish America could have a similar day, but we are clearly still in our colonial era. 1mo

Robotswithpersonality @GingerAntics As much as it was long overdue it was also timely, established soon after some very disturbing discoveries. I hope that such a day can come about in the US without more of the same, or if it is so, it brings about eventual justice/healing. 1mo

GingerAntics @Robotswithpersonality after you guys found some of your horrible things, survivors came forward here to say we had the same. We‘ve known nearly as long as you guys have. We have still done nothing. It‘s like there is a collective shrug and move on for people in power, or “thoughts and prayers” the ultimate dismissal. 1mo

See All 6 Comments

Robotswithpersonality @GingerAntics choosing to believe that once surviving trash fire of current administration is over that can be one of the many things that changes? 🤷🏼‍♂️ 1mo

GingerAntics @Robotswithpersonality it‘s definitely on the list! The administration before this one and the one before his first term didn‘t make a single move in that direction, though. It‘s not really on lawmakers‘ radar here. Sadly. 1mo

10 likes1 stack add6 comments

Jen2

In Winter I Get Up at Night: A Novel | Jane Urquhart

so-so

It was weird

37 likes

shawnmooney

Small Reckonings | Karin Melberg Schwier

https://youtu.be/kxBKAixwuPI

Introduction
Mystery guest
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh
Small Reckonings by Karin Melberg Schwier
A Disaffection by James Kelman
The Foolish Gentlewoman by Margery Sharp
The Prowler by Kristjana Gunnars
Though the Bodies Fall by Noel O'Regan
Shark Girl by Kate Beaton

19 likes

shawnmooney

Where I Live Now: A Journey Through Love and Loss to Healing and Hope | Sharon Butala