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blu3berrybitch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
reflectiverambling_nalana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A moving memoir about the survival of a person, a culture, and hope itself. Campbell takes you through a childhood that was filled with as much love and fun as it was challenges. The tales of her youth through her early teenagers are a testimony to a remarkable spirit and will to keep putting one foot in front of the other. It takes you down a path that was paved with the most honorable of intentions and obstacles that at times seem beyond unjustifiable.
Maria is forthright about the own mistakes with a remarkable clarity. It was gratifying to hear a tone that shows she can think on this time with foresight and a sense of forgiveness to herself as it is clear to the reader that she was treading water the best she knew how. It is also a beautiful discovery of self , of family, and of finding your purpose. It's about knowing the ugliness of the world from very early on and learning how to fight back for the future, and for the purpose of others.
Absolutely memorable.
Maria is forthright about the own mistakes with a remarkable clarity. It was gratifying to hear a tone that shows she can think on this time with foresight and a sense of forgiveness to herself as it is clear to the reader that she was treading water the best she knew how. It is also a beautiful discovery of self , of family, and of finding your purpose. It's about knowing the ugliness of the world from very early on and learning how to fight back for the future, and for the purpose of others.
Absolutely memorable.
cassidyshaypress's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
A book all Metis and non-Indigenous people living in Canada should read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Racial slurs, Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Classism, Grief, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Not the genre of book I would typically read. Despite being a story of repeated trauma the author faces in life, which at times can seem very grim, I still very much enjoyed this book! Each chapter left me with a better understanding of the life my ancestors may have struggled through, an appreciation of modern luxuries, and even inspiration from her continued resilience in the face of adversity.amberj13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book was so inspiring and insightful.
justabean_reads's review
5.0
Classic memoir of growing up in a Métis community in rural Saskatchewan in the 1940s and 1950s. This came out during the wave of activism around Indigenous rights in the 1970s, and gets cited a lot as the first Indigenous book that someone read (I think I found it on a list of groundbreaking works curated by the author Michelle Good, for example).
Even setting aside its status as a "first," the book is extraordinary. Campbell has a clear-eyed look at the dysfunction and substance abuse in the Métis communities she grew up in, explaining but never excusing it or minimising the harm it did, but the strongest impression of her childhood are memories of joy, family, humour and love of nature. It never feels bleak (save perhaps for the Vancouver section in the middle, which had a lot of substance abuse and mental health challenges), and she always tries to come back to those connections. Campbell spends a lot of time sorting through her feelings about her own identity, and a good deal of internalised racism, and how she grew in understanding and changed her mind about her people. I loved how much she talked about previous generations of community organising and activism in Cree and Métis communities.
It's such a compelling look at life and activism the middle of the 20th-century, and I'm hoping to read more Indigenous books from this era.
Even setting aside its status as a "first," the book is extraordinary. Campbell has a clear-eyed look at the dysfunction and substance abuse in the Métis communities she grew up in, explaining but never excusing it or minimising the harm it did, but the strongest impression of her childhood are memories of joy, family, humour and love of nature. It never feels bleak (save perhaps for the Vancouver section in the middle, which had a lot of substance abuse and mental health challenges), and she always tries to come back to those connections. Campbell spends a lot of time sorting through her feelings about her own identity, and a good deal of internalised racism, and how she grew in understanding and changed her mind about her people. I loved how much she talked about previous generations of community organising and activism in Cree and Métis communities.
It's such a compelling look at life and activism the middle of the 20th-century, and I'm hoping to read more Indigenous books from this era.
joelmeador's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
selinayoung's review against another edition
5.0
Every time a read/re-read this essential memoir I take away something new. This time a loud reminder that our people deserve and need more and are more than settlers are often willing to see.
amycoles's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who really judges books by their covers, this is something I never would have picked up on my own - you can definitely tell that it was published in the 80's; but it was required reading for my 20th century Canadian literature class, so I really had no choice. I am so glad I had to read this though, it was incredibly powerful and raw, without any dull moments. It really is amazing that this is a true story!
This biography does an amazing job disrupting the stereotype of Canada being a fantasy land of a united, free, happy, generous people. What I really love about it though, is the way Campbell doesn't look back on her life and critically reflect on it, but instead she just narrates it and lets the story speak for itself. It's reads as an action packed, raw journey of determination and perseverance. It really made me conscious of how powerful racial and circumstantial privilege really is in Canada; yet how ridiculous it is that this sort of privilege even exists.
Campbell's personal growth, especially in relation to Cheechum's philosophy on life, was really slow burning yet amazing to watch. There was the perfect balance of plot action (unfortunately for Campbell) and character development, making for an amazing read and a powerful story.
I also really appreciated how the first chapter of the book situated the story within a specific historical context. It really helped clarify the where the story is coming from, and would especially be beneficial to people who are not familiar with Canadian history. Though this chapter is a bit of a dry history lesson, it really is necessary and sets up the book well.
The only small problem I had with the book was the host of people introduced at the beginning. I got flustered with all the names of great great grandparents, great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and other family. I especially had a hard time remembering the race or nationality of specific family members. But in the grand scheme of the novel it really didn't affect my reading of the story too much since the story is told in chronological order and doesn't make reference to specific past family members too much. I just wish there was a family tree at the beginning of the book! It might even be worth it to create your own while reading this for the first time.
Overall I think this is a powerful story about colonization, racism, struggle, and Canadian culture. Even if you're not Canadian, I would highly recommend this book! Just be aware that because this is a book about struggle and perseverance, there are trigger warnings for domestic violence, drug use, alcohol use, and prostitution.
This biography does an amazing job disrupting the stereotype of Canada being a fantasy land of a united, free, happy, generous people. What I really love about it though, is the way Campbell doesn't look back on her life and critically reflect on it, but instead she just narrates it and lets the story speak for itself. It's reads as an action packed, raw journey of determination and perseverance. It really made me conscious of how powerful racial and circumstantial privilege really is in Canada; yet how ridiculous it is that this sort of privilege even exists.
Campbell's personal growth, especially in relation to Cheechum's philosophy on life, was really slow burning yet amazing to watch. There was the perfect balance of plot action (unfortunately for Campbell) and character development, making for an amazing read and a powerful story.
I also really appreciated how the first chapter of the book situated the story within a specific historical context. It really helped clarify the where the story is coming from, and would especially be beneficial to people who are not familiar with Canadian history. Though this chapter is a bit of a dry history lesson, it really is necessary and sets up the book well.
The only small problem I had with the book was the host of people introduced at the beginning. I got flustered with all the names of great great grandparents, great grandparents, grandparents, parents, and other family. I especially had a hard time remembering the race or nationality of specific family members. But in the grand scheme of the novel it really didn't affect my reading of the story too much since the story is told in chronological order and doesn't make reference to specific past family members too much. I just wish there was a family tree at the beginning of the book! It might even be worth it to create your own while reading this for the first time.
Overall I think this is a powerful story about colonization, racism, struggle, and Canadian culture. Even if you're not Canadian, I would highly recommend this book! Just be aware that because this is a book about struggle and perseverance, there are trigger warnings for domestic violence, drug use, alcohol use, and prostitution.
jburnford's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
It is a classic for a reason. Canadians need to read this book to understand the levels of poverty Métis road allowance people experienced in the 1940s. The book is painfully honest and incredibly powerful as a result.