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Mamaskatch

A Cree Coming of Age

ebook
4 of 4 copies available
4 of 4 copies available

Growing up in the tiny village of Smith, Alberta, Darrel J. McLeod was surrounded by his Cree family's history. In shifting and unpredictable stories, his mother, Bertha, shared narratives of their culture, their family and the cruelty that she and her sisters endured in residential school. McLeod was comforted by her presence and that of his many siblings and cousins, the smells of moose stew and wild peppermint tea, and his deep love of the landscape. Bertha taught him to be fiercely proud of his heritage and to listen to the birds that would return to watch over and guide him at key junctures of his life.

However, in a spiral of events, Darrel's mother turned wild and unstable, and their home life became chaotic. Sweet and innocent by nature, Darrel struggled to maintain his grades and pursue an interest in music while changing homes many times, witnessing violence, caring for his younger siblings and suffering abuse at the hands of his surrogate father. Meanwhile, his sibling's gender transition provoked Darrel to deeply question his own sexual identity.

The fractured narrative of Mamaskatch mirrors Bertha's attempts to reckon with the trauma and abuse she faced in her own life, and captures an intensely moving portrait of a family of strong personalities, deep ties and the shared history that both binds and haunts them.

Beautifully written, honest and thought-provoking, Mamaskatch—named for the Cree word used as a response to dreams shared—is ultimately an uplifting account of overcoming personal and societal obstacles. In spite of the traumas of Darrel's childhood, deep and mysterious forces handed down by his mother helped him survive and thrive: her love and strength stayed with him to build the foundation of what would come to be a very fulfilling and adventurous life.

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    • Library Journal

      May 1, 2019

      In his first book, McLeod writes about life with a fractured family and surviving a tumultuous childhood. The memoir begins with the story of McLeod's mother, Bertha, who, along with several female relatives, was sent to a Catholic residential school from which they eventually escaped. Bertha raised her children Catholic alongside a strong respect for Cree traditions. As a result of Bertha's alcoholism, McLeod spent time living with an extended family, ultimately returning home to his mother. The author struggles to keep up with schoolwork while caring for younger siblings and suffering abuse, physical and sexual, from his brother-in-law. This is not your ordinary coming-of-age story; it's a multilayered account of a boy growing into manhood questioning his own gender identity while also confronting racism and bullying. VERDICT This poignant memoir presents a story about growing up surrounded by difficulties and also a window into the world of the Cree.--Jacqueline Parascandola, Univ. of Pennsylvania

      Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      February 15, 2019
      Manifest destiny (the "Westward ho!" mentality) laid waste the lives of First Nations people, decimating their culture by killing off bison, bringing pestilence, and sending their children to missionary schools. McLeod's story is a close-up of the continuing effects of manifest destiny. McLeod's mother and aunts were just a few of the many who were rounded up to learn the ways and religion of the white man. Rampant abuse in these schools is well documented, and McLeod's mother was preyed upon by a priest. As an adult, she settled down and raised a family. While he grew up poor in Alberta, Canada, McLeod knew he was loved, but after his father died, his mother took up with different men and started drinking and disappearing. The downward spiral shattered the family, and McLeod had nowhere to turn when he was sexually abused by a brother-in-law. This abuse created further turmoil for a young man who felt increasingly attracted to men. The tug between following Christianity and Native ways increased his struggle. Readers will appreciate McLeod's hard-won peace.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)

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  • English

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