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A review by bookishjesse
"Indian" in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power by Jody Wilson-Raybould
informative
slow-paced
1.0
I know this is a book we're all supposed to enjoy and respect and yet, I found it frustrating, boring, and full of the hubris Jody Wilson-Raybould (JWR) critiques. I am writing this so that if readers wonder if they should keep reading the book, or not, they have some options: readers that love the book will find their views confirmed elsewhere and can ignore my thoughts. For readers who question the time spent with this book, let me advise you to stop and choose something different.
Let me be clear that I deeply respect JWR’s courage and integrity in speaking truth to power. I would have voted for her as an Indpendent if she were running in my riding. My problem is that this book is deeply flawed and I cannot recommend it.
The first problem is that JWR expects readers to have intimate familiarity with “The SNC-Lavalin Affair.” Many people can barely remember a news headline from last month, let alone before the pandemic! The assumption seems to be that we a) know about the SNC affair and b) agree with JWR and her view. As a reader, I need at least a paragraph of explanation if I am expected to be interested in why this matters so much. That paragraph comes about 70% of the way into the book. The irony is that we're supposed to know SNC but have to sit through pedantic lectures on how Canadian criminal law works. Not to mention a mundane section about the day to day minutia of being a Minister and why it is important to have a driver?! Then there’s the complete lack of nuance around the very serious problems she encountered in a toxic workplace.
It’s really disappointing because the first few pages of the book were raw, emotional, and told with vulnerability and strength. After that point, the book descends into a resume and one-sided exit interview. The important arguments JWR makes, and repeats, about the necessity of Indigenous self-government are lost among repetitive "they interfered" or "he didn't like me" highschool rhetoric. Her constant refrain about how she was treated devalued the larger discourse around why it is imperative that Indigenous rights are respected, upheld, and protected. To be clear, I completely agree that JWR was treated very, very poorly. My issue is that repeating the same complaints again and again is not helpful in a book length work.
I lost count of the number of times she wrote “I was doing my job” or “we were getting things done.” I fully support people championing their accomplishments! However, constant repetition of "how well we did" or "how much we got done" with really only the same three accomplishments listed started to become frustrating. We get it. You did great! Let's move on. Stop asking for approval and just continue the way the book began: with courage.
For me, the largest problem with this book is the disconnect between what JWR says she was trying to achieve, and her actions. She speaks about wanting to employ Indigenous ways of governing and reconciling disputes and yet took great pride in being the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. She just will not lean into the tension that she seems to have thought she could subvert the colonial justice and governmental system by *checks notes* occupying the office tasked with appointing judges and acting as the checks and balance for that colonial justice system. Friendly reminder that JWR swore allegiance and promised to be a “true and faithful servant to Her Majesty the Queen.” I know this because she quotes the oath in the book. The entire Canadian legal and governmental system is based on and remains intimately tied to a seat of colonialism and imperialist powers. What was it that Audre Lorde said … oh yes! “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” JWR says “this was not my way of governing.” Well, what did she think would happen?! Occupying a senior seat in the master’s house would somehow not require her to enforce his rules?!
I would have respected the book more if JWR had leaned into the difficult spaces of being Indigenous while enjoying the privileges that come with upholding a colonialst justice system. That would have been a fascinating and interesting read that would have reflected the bravery of the first few pages of the book. To sum up: just read the sample and you’re all set.
Let me be clear that I deeply respect JWR’s courage and integrity in speaking truth to power. I would have voted for her as an Indpendent if she were running in my riding. My problem is that this book is deeply flawed and I cannot recommend it.
The first problem is that JWR expects readers to have intimate familiarity with “The SNC-Lavalin Affair.” Many people can barely remember a news headline from last month, let alone before the pandemic! The assumption seems to be that we a) know about the SNC affair and b) agree with JWR and her view. As a reader, I need at least a paragraph of explanation if I am expected to be interested in why this matters so much. That paragraph comes about 70% of the way into the book. The irony is that we're supposed to know SNC but have to sit through pedantic lectures on how Canadian criminal law works. Not to mention a mundane section about the day to day minutia of being a Minister and why it is important to have a driver?! Then there’s the complete lack of nuance around the very serious problems she encountered in a toxic workplace.
It’s really disappointing because the first few pages of the book were raw, emotional, and told with vulnerability and strength. After that point, the book descends into a resume and one-sided exit interview. The important arguments JWR makes, and repeats, about the necessity of Indigenous self-government are lost among repetitive "they interfered" or "he didn't like me" highschool rhetoric. Her constant refrain about how she was treated devalued the larger discourse around why it is imperative that Indigenous rights are respected, upheld, and protected. To be clear, I completely agree that JWR was treated very, very poorly. My issue is that repeating the same complaints again and again is not helpful in a book length work.
I lost count of the number of times she wrote “I was doing my job” or “we were getting things done.” I fully support people championing their accomplishments! However, constant repetition of "how well we did" or "how much we got done" with really only the same three accomplishments listed started to become frustrating. We get it. You did great! Let's move on. Stop asking for approval and just continue the way the book began: with courage.
For me, the largest problem with this book is the disconnect between what JWR says she was trying to achieve, and her actions. She speaks about wanting to employ Indigenous ways of governing and reconciling disputes and yet took great pride in being the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. She just will not lean into the tension that she seems to have thought she could subvert the colonial justice and governmental system by *checks notes* occupying the office tasked with appointing judges and acting as the checks and balance for that colonial justice system. Friendly reminder that JWR swore allegiance and promised to be a “true and faithful servant to Her Majesty the Queen.” I know this because she quotes the oath in the book. The entire Canadian legal and governmental system is based on and remains intimately tied to a seat of colonialism and imperialist powers. What was it that Audre Lorde said … oh yes! “The master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house.” JWR says “this was not my way of governing.” Well, what did she think would happen?! Occupying a senior seat in the master’s house would somehow not require her to enforce his rules?!
I would have respected the book more if JWR had leaned into the difficult spaces of being Indigenous while enjoying the privileges that come with upholding a colonialst justice system. That would have been a fascinating and interesting read that would have reflected the bravery of the first few pages of the book. To sum up: just read the sample and you’re all set.