I wanted to like the book more than I did.
It's personal and it's brave for the author to put out something that is so personal and so important. I applaud him for that.
The writing, however, is on the "tell" rather than the "show". At points, the book feels disjointed. I enjoy it more when he writes about his personal experience, and his father's experience, in both family and the nation's context. Where this fails, is when he detaches himself and compartmentalizes the events, making the writing muddy and uneven.
Overall, still, a great and important book for a personal account and perspective in Canadian history told from a family story.

An autobiography by Kinew which focuses especially on his relationship with his father, Tobasonakwut, an Anishinaabe residential school survivor, political activist, spiritual leader and educator. His father’s long journey was wracked with tragedy and horror, but also hope, triumph and forgiveness. The book contains long passages which explain details and significance of the Sundance, naming ceremonies, adoption ceremonies, pipe rituals, and other aspects of Anishinaabe culture that were previously unknown to me. It also speaks meaningfully and at length about the power of language and culture to give meaning and purpose to Indigenous people. The book is full of grace, wisdom and humour.

3.5 stars. I loved certain aspects of this book. But, I think that in a memoir one should be introspective, and as light gets shed on some of Kinew’s past behaviours, it seems the book was lacking in that regard. Still, a very important book to read as Canada and Canadians make the slow crawl to reconciliation.