I feel rather bad reading this book only two stars. Wab shared much of his story and his father's story as well as providing some illuminating insights into his culture. He touched on the impacts of colonialization, and residential schools; the efforts undertaken by aboriginal peoples to maintain traditional practices and language; the importance of family and was very honest about human failings. The reason I couldn't connect this book had much more to do with the writing style and that may be a cultural difference as well. It was written in a way that didn't make me live the moment but instead shared kind of a more macro view of each part of his story. It was worth the read and i would recommend it to others.

Really makes you think hard about where Canada has left to go on Indigenous issues. Also? It's a great story.

I'd never heard of Wab Kinew before he defended Joseph Boyden's novel "The Orenda" for Canada Reads (it later won). I didn't know much else beyond that, and that he hosts Canada Reads now, before I picked this up for book club. It was a fascinating read. It was also an easy and compelling read, which I think is a lot because it is written in much the way he speaks. You can hear him, and the rhythm in his words easily.

Kinew tells his story growing up with his emotionally distant father but he goes back and talks about his father's childhood, including his time in a residential school. Both men make mistakes and have their own troubles, with each other, with alcohol, and with their pasts.

As heavy and depressing as that subject matter is, there is an overall positive tone. A hopeful one as well. Especially in the sections where their culture is being relearned, and being upheld and respected by the current generation and generations to come.