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Up Ghost River
Up Ghost River: A Chief's Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History | Edmund Metatawabin, Alexandra Shimo
5 posts | 3 read | 11 to read
A powerful, raw yet eloquent memoir from a residential school survivor and former First Nations Chief, Up Ghost River is a necessary step toward our collective healing. In the 1950s, 7-year-old Edmund Metatawabin was separated from his family and placed in one of Canadas worst residential schools. St. Annes, in northern Ontario, is an institution now notorious for the range of punishments that staff and teachers inflicted on students. Even as Metatawabin built the trappings of a successful lifewife, kids, careerhe was tormented by horrific memories. Fuelled by alcohol, the trauma from his past caught up with him, and his family and work lives imploded. In seeking healing, Metatawabin travelled to southern Alberta. There he learned from elders, participated in native cultural training workshops that emphasize the holistic approach to personhood at the heart of Cree culture, and finally faced his alcoholism and PTSD. Metatawabin has since worked tirelessly to expose the wrongdoings of St. Annes, culminating in a recent court case demanding that the school records be released to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Now Metatawabins mission is to help the next generation of residential school survivors. His story is part of the indigenous resurgence that is happening across Canada and worldwide: after years of oppression, he and others are healing themselves by rediscovering their culture and sharing their knowledge. Coming full circle, Metatawabins haunting and brave narrative offers profound lessons on the importance of bearing witness, and the ability to become whole once again.
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review
thereadingowlvina
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Pickpick

"My own silence began in 1955. It may be a familiar story to you. My childhood was spent in St. Anne's Residential School, which has garnered its own tragic reputation in the national media."

A heartbreaking and harrowing read! A necessary reading for everyone!

Rating: 5?

For my full review please visit https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2773601973

#Booked2019 #indigenousauthor
@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen I‘ve heard this book is HEARTBREAKING 😢😢😢 5y
Reviewsbylola Definitely stacking this for #booked2019! 5y
thereadingowlvina @Cinfhen Yes, it is 😢 5y
thereadingowlvina @Reviewsbylola Hope you enjoy it 👍 5y
32 likes1 stack add4 comments
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teebe
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Today is #recommendsday but in Canada, it's also National Aboriginal Day. In honour of that, here's a recommendation of books by #indigenousauthors from Canada 👍🏼

36 likes2 stack adds
review
DaydreamingBookworm
Pickpick

I loved this memoir. This was a sorrowful journey of a residential school survivor and a pathway to reconciliation. It's a necessary book to read if we want to honor indigenous history in Canada.

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DaydreamingBookworm
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I've read too many books about trauma lately. I need to pick up a cushy YA novel soon.

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Lauracastle
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Pickpick

A heartbreaking, vital memoir that should be read by every Canadian and everyone. The writing style shifts from beautiful to stark and horrifying as Metatawabin shares his story and Knowledge.

11 likes2 stack adds