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libraryvee's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars because I'm rating the book, not the man, whom I now have changed my mind about since I've learned about his past domestic assault cases. (But that does colour my opinion, so I have a note at the bottom.)
So! The Reason You Walk is an uneven, but beautiful book. It begins with the story of Tobasonakwut Kinew, an Anishinaabe First Nations man, whose story is one that is just beginning to be recognized: that of a little boy being taken away from his family and culture, and enduring the brutality of a residential school. This is Wab's father, and it gives us context, not just for Wab, but for thousands of First Nations families. The residential school experience had a lasting, negative effect on generations to come. As Wab says, "Children were raised by strangers." So the cycle continues.
But this book isn't about that (although it gives important context, like I said.) It's about forgiveness, and reconciliation, and the path that we all walk together. Wab talks about his childhood spent with an angry, alcoholic father, who eventually cleaned up his life and came full circle. His legacy changed Wab - who chronicles his angry, alcoholic youth as well.
There were some frustratingly vague descriptions of moments where Wab would separate from his partner, or become a father, or have a career change, where he would only use a sentence to describe what happened. I thought these life-changing moments would come with more introspection, to match the tone of the rest of the book. This felt jarring, and distant to me, and accounts for the uneven-ness I felt.
However, there are some truly beautiful moments. There is a chapter dedicated to a vision quest, and another to a Sundance ceremony, which I found mesmerizing and wonderful. Also enlightening. The book really starts to come together in the last third, where we follow Wab's father "Ndede," on the last part of his journey with cancer, and Wab reflects on the lessons and legacy of reconciliation his father leaves behind.
I also really admire Wab's view on his own people's culture and history. He is genuine about wanting to share his culture not only with the next generation of Indigenous people, but also with Canadians across the country. His attitude is to move forward, to build bridges, and to act with understanding. It's beautiful, refreshing, and honest, all at once. I learned a lot reading this book, and felt inspired, actually.
So...the last thing I want to say is that, in light of the sexual assault charges against him, I'm not sure how I feel about Wab Kinew. I cannot support violence against women in any context. I don't blame Wab Kinew for his alcoholism, which kudos to him, he has fought against and won, but after learning about his sexual assault charges, as well as his racist and misogynistic comments, I don't feel comfortable endorsing this book.
So! The Reason You Walk is an uneven, but beautiful book. It begins with the story of Tobasonakwut Kinew, an Anishinaabe First Nations man, whose story is one that is just beginning to be recognized: that of a little boy being taken away from his family and culture, and enduring the brutality of a residential school. This is Wab's father, and it gives us context, not just for Wab, but for thousands of First Nations families. The residential school experience had a lasting, negative effect on generations to come. As Wab says, "Children were raised by strangers." So the cycle continues.
But this book isn't about that (although it gives important context, like I said.) It's about forgiveness, and reconciliation, and the path that we all walk together. Wab talks about his childhood spent with an angry, alcoholic father, who eventually cleaned up his life and came full circle. His legacy changed Wab - who chronicles his angry, alcoholic youth as well.
There were some frustratingly vague descriptions of moments where Wab would separate from his partner, or become a father, or have a career change, where he would only use a sentence to describe what happened. I thought these life-changing moments would come with more introspection, to match the tone of the rest of the book. This felt jarring, and distant to me, and accounts for the uneven-ness I felt.
However, there are some truly beautiful moments. There is a chapter dedicated to a vision quest, and another to a Sundance ceremony, which I found mesmerizing and wonderful. Also enlightening. The book really starts to come together in the last third, where we follow Wab's father "Ndede," on the last part of his journey with cancer, and Wab reflects on the lessons and legacy of reconciliation his father leaves behind.
I also really admire Wab's view on his own people's culture and history. He is genuine about wanting to share his culture not only with the next generation of Indigenous people, but also with Canadians across the country. His attitude is to move forward, to build bridges, and to act with understanding. It's beautiful, refreshing, and honest, all at once. I learned a lot reading this book, and felt inspired, actually.
So...the last thing I want to say is that, in light of the sexual assault charges against him, I'm not sure how I feel about Wab Kinew. I cannot support violence against women in any context. I don't blame Wab Kinew for his alcoholism, which kudos to him, he has fought against and won, but after learning about his sexual assault charges, as well as his racist and misogynistic comments, I don't feel comfortable endorsing this book.
chelseycatterall's review against another edition
4.0
A moving story about resilience, forgiveness, culture and the strength of family. Wab's father, a residential school survivor, endured years of horror at the hands of others and as a result, was filled with anger as a young man. Wab tells the story of his father's journey through reconciliation and forgiveness and ties in his own personal story as well. I absolutely loved learning about the Anishinaabe culture, and getting to know Wab's family, whom he speaks so warmly and candidly about that I felt like I knew them. I stayed up late last night to finish and shed a few tears at the end. Touching and important - I highly recommend this one!
tsoutham's review against another edition
4.0
Its been a few months since I read this book. I remember Wab's family connections and how they spread around his father like spokes on a wheel. Wab gave me yet more examples of how First Nations people in Canada are confronting colonization as well as how colonization is yet to be realized and addressed in most Canadians. I came away from the book feeling hopeful and while reading the book at times I felt joyful. I also asked myself a thousand time why I don't try harder to acknowledge the implications of colonization every day. Where are my relationships with the earth and with First Nations people who still consider the earth a wise advisor and friend? How can the way I tell stories remove contribute to dissolving the heavy weight of colonization? Thanks Wab Kinew for continuing to unpack and dismantle colonization. Look forward to seeing you at the Peace and Justice Studies Conference this Fall at Selkirk College http://selkirk.ca/mir-centre-for-peace/events-workshops/2016-peace-justice-studies-conference
baffy's review against another edition
5.0
What an inspiring book, I couldn’t put it down. Honest about the damage done by the Residential School system, the Canadian Government and the Catholic Church but so hopeful about the possibility of true Reconciliation.
Another book that should be on every high school curriculum but especially for Catholic schools.
Kinew lets us on on the sacred celebration of the Sundance and contrasts it beautifully with the canonization ceremony for St Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous saint. His father’s ability to ultimately forgive the Church for its sins against him, makes him saintly in his own right but when the author shows his continued doubt, he gives the reader an opening to join him on the journey.
We need a path to forgiveness and Kinew gives me hope for that possibility. The path starts with education and acceptance of the wrongs done before we can pray for that forgiveness.
Kinew shows that Reconciliation is possible although not easy. Hopefully we Canadians will take the journey with him going forward.
Another book that should be on every high school curriculum but especially for Catholic schools.
Kinew lets us on on the sacred celebration of the Sundance and contrasts it beautifully with the canonization ceremony for St Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous saint. His father’s ability to ultimately forgive the Church for its sins against him, makes him saintly in his own right but when the author shows his continued doubt, he gives the reader an opening to join him on the journey.
We need a path to forgiveness and Kinew gives me hope for that possibility. The path starts with education and acceptance of the wrongs done before we can pray for that forgiveness.
Kinew shows that Reconciliation is possible although not easy. Hopefully we Canadians will take the journey with him going forward.
robinb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0