Speak to Me in Indian

Memoirist Gidmark (Birchbark Canoe) has spent years living among the Algonquin people of northern Quebec, and his debut novel is a testament to his deep respect and passion for their culture. Shane Bearskin, a young Cree man, and Theresa Wawati, an Algonquin woman, live in Montreal. They long to move to the bush, but Theresa is intent on becoming a lawyer to defend the rights of her people. When she is diagnosed with leukemia, their plans for the future are shattered. Richly describing traditional skills and knowledge, the novel also depicts many of the social issues facing First Nations people in Canada, including violence against women, the destructive legacy of residential schools, and the ways that natural resource exploitation challenge native traditions and lands. The numerous issues that Gidmark tackles leave the story a bit unfocused, and the clumsy, overly explanatory writing doesn't allow the novel to offer particularly deep insights, despite its compelling storyline. Though the outdated term "Indian" has been reappropriated by some indigenous groups in Canada, Gidmark's use of it does not feel like a convincing political act. Nonetheless, the novel could be a helpful introduction for readers who are unaware of the long history of Canada's oppression of First Nations people . (Nov.)