The Sasquatch at Home: Traditional Protocols & Modern Storytelling

Henry Kreisel Memorial Lecture Series

by Eden Robinson, Paula Simons (Introduction)

In The Sasquatch at Home, Robinson shares an intimate look into the intricacies of family, culture, and place. Robinson's disarming honesty and wry irony shine through her depictions of the trip she and her mother took to Graceland, the potlatch where she and her sister received their Beaver Clan names, how her parents first met in Bella Bella (Waglisla, British Columbia), and a wilderness outing where she and her father try to get a look at b'gwus, the Sasquatch. Readers of memoir, Canadian literature, Indigenous history and culture, and fans of Robinson's delightful, poignant, sometimes quirky tales will love The Sasquatch at Home.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Canada, Essays, Memoir, Writing, History

64 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Eden Victoria Lena Robinson (born 19 January 1968) is a Canadian novelist and short story writer.

Born in Kitamaat, British Columbia, she is a member of the Haisla and Heiltsuk First Nations. She was educated at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Haisla measure of intelligence is slightly different from that of mainstream culture. Three main indicators are an ability to trace your family roots back to mythic times, not having to be told twice and being able to replicate an action after being shown how to do it. By most Haisla measurements, I am "special".

Robinson's three essays that make up Sasquatch at Home could each be their own (amazing) standalone piece. In a few short pages, she sets an intricate scene with a strong sense of place, a beautiful thread of pathos and humor, and rich traditions of her First Nations Haisla culture. This was a great introduction to her work, and I am looking forward to reading more.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lecture isn't just about storytelling but also about the connections between people, stories, and the world. Extremely interesting and tells you some things about Robinson's work. A very good short read.

[E.M. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading Eden Robinson's work since my undergrad, when she was known for her work on Traplines and Monkey Beach. Since then, she's written the widely popular Trickster series, which received an excellent one season adaptation on CBC Gem.

This collection of essays, taken from her appearance at the CLC Kreisel Lecture Series, focuses on that earlier period in Robinson's writing life. It's an interesting blend of cultural history, research, legend, family myth and memoir.

If you want to learn more about Robinson or her work, I recommend it. The annotated bibliography was way more interesting than I usually find such compilations.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short but so interesting. Great insight into some of the background for Monkey Beach especially. Recommended if you are an Eden Robinson fan, it's a quick read worth your while.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lecture reminded me that a) Robinson has beautiful writing and I want to read everything she’s ever written and will write and b) how much I love and miss British Columbia.
If you’re a fan of published lectures/talks (particularly on the topics of family, Native heritage and/or nature), or Eden Robinson, I definitely recommend picking up this short read.

[Marcela Huerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wanted to keep reading it, would love a longer Eden memoir

[Arinn Dembo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but it turned out to be a slim chapbook, the printed edition of a lecture. I ended up being very glad it was available for those of us who have never seen Robinson speak in person.

[Karis Dimas-Lehndorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really quick read that was originally a spoken presentation. It’s a brief memoir about family, connection, culture, and place. Robinson’s voice is really engaging, humorous, and vulnerable as she recounts special trips with her parents, her connection to her Indigenous community, and so much more. This is a great intro to Robinson’s writing style and I’d definitely recommend giving it a read. This is a really quick read that was originally a spoken presentation. It’s a brief memoir about family, connection, culture, and place. Robinson’s voice is really engaging, humorous, and vulnerable as she recounts special trips with her parents, her connection to her Indigenous community, and so much more. This is a great intro to Robinson’s writing style and I’d definitely recommend giving it a read.

[Maggie]

This collection is part of the Henry Kreisel Lecture series. Eden Robinson's lectures were put into this collection so others can hear her memoir and get a sense of her speech. I have been a fan of Eden Robinson since I read a couple of short stories in an English class and then read Monkey Beach, which I loved. This short collection of essays/memoir was an interesting read. The first discussed Robinson receiving her an Indigenous name from her father's clan and taking her mother to Graceland. The next section discusses some Indigenous traditions, such as the importance and versatility of Oolichans. The last section discusses Robinsons' research and background information she used for writing Monkey Beach. This was my favourite essay as I loved Monkey Beach and like to see some of the history and personal connection to Robinson.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenge: Read-EH-thon August 2020 - Indigenous author (1), not a novel (16). Lecture/essay collection from Haisla author of 'Traplines'/'Bloodlines' and 'Monkey Beach'. Takes place in the Bella Bella (Spanish), Waglisla, BC (Heiltsuk) area of northwestern British Columbia (the area spoke of as the 'Noble Beyond' by John Zada, previously read). Memories recalled and told and research conducted and shared according to indigenous protocols and copyright of ownership. Look forward to reading 'Monkey Beach'.

[William Wren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a lecture, or three essays, this reads more as a collection of stories. It's very short, but I enjoyed it. My favourite passage: "You should not go to Graceland without an Elvis fan. It’s like Christmas without kids—you lose that sense of wonder... [A]s we walked slowly through the house and she touched the walls, everything had a story, a history. In each story was everything she valued and loved and wanted me to remember and carry with me.

"This is nusa."

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short (50ish pages) essay on the Author and her life. Although interesting, I found it somewhat disjointed. The stats on her band from 1920 on are horrifying: smallpox mump etc, cut the population 90%.

Over to you. If you live in or near Haida Gwai I imagine it is well worth reading.

[Franka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short collection of essays/talks by the writer of Monkey Beach and the Trickster series. Interesting accounts of Native lore and some fun and funny stories of Robinson acquiring it. More like a few Atlantic Monthly essays than a book but good if you like Robinson and/or her topic.

[Stacen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire her being a voice for her nation. Great to hear how she determined which aspects of her culture share in her works.

[Dessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this lecture series and its tiny books. This one in particular feels like a blessing, a gift. Eden Robinson is so planted, rooted, stalwart and sturdy, but also hilarious, generous.

[Sloane Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book acts as a nice companion to Monkey Beach. I wouldn't recommend it if you haven't read that though.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

a short read.

[Cath · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about how Ms. Robinson did some research go for her books. Also great to read about her background, culture and family.

[G.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[daniel grant]

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[HadiDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really this 3 essay collection, and the reflections on Robinson’s heritage, family, and the anecdotes

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was not enough about Sasquatches. Loved the stories.

[Nikayla Reize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just an incredible story but the way Robinson tells the story is what makes it....I thought I was reading the intro to the book and when I understood what was happening I was speechless.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

English class reading!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating collection that blends lecture, storytelling and Robinson’s family history.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet intro to her heritage. Some entertaining lol stories.

[Shinyfluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

a charming and interesting memoir by acclaimed author Eden Robinson. really loved it

[Crystal (VanillaHearts62) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is only about 40 pages long because apparently it was originally a talk. It felt weird to read such a short book but there were some good elements in there. I have read Monkey Beach, Bloodsports, and Traplines so I had to read this one, too. There's a bit of background info for the Haisla culture but not too much.

I think if someone hasn't read anything by Eden Robinson and is curious as to what the tone of Monkey Beach sounds like, then reading this book would give a good sense of what to expect. But if you come to the book after reading her other works then you might be left with already full hands.

What was most striking to me was the cover of the close up of her face. It really got my attention.

[Joshua Bertram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good autobiographical primer to Robinson's fiction. It's brief (only 40 pages), but nicely contextualizes the unique cultural voice of Coastal Aboriginals within the landscape of contemporary Canadian storytelling.

[Meg]

Excellent! an exploration of Haisla storytelling protocols, using storytelling and humour. Gives some interesting background for Monkey Beach and the other books Robinson has written (which I should read).