A review by vanreads
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

5.0

This book is truly a must read for all Canadians (and Americans). While Alicia Elliott's collection of essays are specific to her experiences being Indigenous in Canada, the experiences of the aftereffects of colonization ring true in both Canada and the United States. I found this to be a part memoir with personal and part overview of the Indigenous experience in Canada from a broader scope. I think this blend works well because it includes stats and facts for those who want to know the specifics, and personal stories to show how the stats play out and affect an individual. This part is emotional and raw. This is honestly a fantastic book for anyone who is unfamiliar with the relationship between Canada and the Indigenous and its political and emotional landscape.

I feel like I am the average person who is non-Indigenous, learned a bit about the history at school, and never made the emotional connection until much later. I personally loved that Alicia blended memoir and fact because it really drives home the message on how much Indigenous people still suffer from inequality (to put it very lightly) and trauma. I think this should be required reading, and I'm so glad that it is being published in the US now too.

Thanks to Netgalley, I was able to view the US version as well for a review.