North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner

by Marie Wilson

The incomparable first-hand account of the historic Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada told by one of the commissioners who led it.


The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to record the previously hidden history of more than a century of forced residential schooling for Indigenous children. Marie Wilson helped lead that work as one of just three commissioners. With the skills of a journalist, the heart of a mother and grandmother, and the insights of a life as the spouse of a residential school survivor, Commissioner Wilson guides readers through her years witnessing survivor testimony across the country, providing her unique perspective on the personal toll and enduring public value of the commission. In this unparalleled account, she honours the voices of survivors who have called Canada to attention, determined to heal, reclaim, and thrive.


Part vital public documentary, part probing memoir, North of Nowhere breathes fresh air into the possibilities of reconciliation amid the persistent legacy of residential schools. It is a call to everyone to view the important and continuing work of reconciliation not as an obligation but as a gift.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Canada, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography

363 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2024

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this book, and I think more people should read it.

I have benefited from Marie Wilson's example of being a witness to stories that need to be heard in this country of so-called Canada-- it has helped me reconsider the implications of reconciliation. Marie Wilson has generously shared her personal experience of being TRC commissioner. I valued her perspective and insights since she was wholly present and integral to 6 years of the TRC proceedings.

I don't think this book should be a standalone on the topic, but I think the author does a good job of centering and valorizing Indigenous Survivor voices and giving a sense of what the TRC aimed to accomplish, and generally how the proceedings unfolded.

I found her tone to have humility. Like another reviewer said, there was a "gentleness" and compassion to the way she shares these difficult stories... And most importantly, I also feel she has been mindful of upholding the dignity of Survivors.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tansi - I’m a teacher and have the honour of working with Indigenous children and families on Treaty 6 territory (Edmonton, AB).

This book is heartbreaking, beautiful, and inspiring. As mentioned in another review, I think every Canadian should read this book.

Hiy Hiy Marie Wilson

[Jim Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative and heartfelt account of Marie Wilson's time as a Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Commission gave voice to Survivors of the residential school system in Canada.

While there was so much damage done and so much tragedy as a result, overall, the book is hopeful. It should be on the reading list of anyone who truly wants to be a partner in reconciliation.

[Jodie Siu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reflective and engaging book, reviewing the processes and history of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The Commission is such a gift to Canadians - this is history and the present, our shame but also our impetus to do better relationship going forward. Wilson interweaves her own personal experience as a Commissioner along with a searing account of the procedures and testimony she heard. I was so struck by the way the Commission, which could have been just another dry bureaucratic exercise, found love and healing through Indigenous practices like spirituality, smudging, drumming and dance, and more. We have much to learn from age-old ways.

[Mary J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and informative. Mainly follows the TRC from creation, through the process as well as reflections 5 years after the Final report, as well as today (2024).

Heartbreaking to read all of the abuses - while at residential school and beyond. Increased my understanding. Enjoyed how Marie included parts of her own life and story, as well as some of her family.

[Colleen Cavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book well written with a story we should all read. No matter how much I try and learn there is always so much I do not know. All canadiands shpuld read this book. Deserves more than 5 stars.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even knowing the broad strokes of the horrifying Indian Boarding School legacy and experience, i found it extremely valuable and powerful to read survivor statements. These were gently & lovingly presented by TRC commissioner Wilson in the context of the truth & reconciliation process.

[Shannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerfully moving book that left me in tears frequently, furious, curious, and ultimately inspired.

I listened to this book via my public library's Hoopla access but very soon after beginning went out and bought myself a copy. I knew early on that this would be a book I'd want to refer back to often.

Written and read for audio by the author, Marie Wilson shares the behind the scenes experience of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from her notes and memories as one of the Commissioners. As the only woman, mother, and grandmother amongst the Commissioners and as the only non-Indigenous member she centres her experience as such while never taking the main attention from the survivors and their experiences. Though she speaks of how hearing so many hours of testimony of levels of abuse that are beyond imagining affected her, she does so while always shining the light primarily on the survivors.

The book is expertly written by an author with extensive experience in reporting and storytelling and this is evident in the arc of the book, both told as the journey of the Commission while providing background and follow up where available. Telling the experiences of the survivors, generational and lateral effects of 150 years of these horrific policies of residential schools and family separation, she places the results of these policies in context.

At the end of the book I was inspired to read more about the Commission, their recommendations, and the history of residential schools - a history that was not taught during my school years during which the schools were still in operation, children still suffering.

You'll be furious, horrified, and ultimately inspired. Inspired by the courage of survivors in telling what happened to them, courage of survivors fighting to leave behind the legacy of the violence done to them and their families for generations, inspired to learn more and never forget.

[Enid Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminds me a lot of Becoming A Matriarch which I’ve also read (relatively) recently.

This is similar - but different than that title.

Similar in that it is a very gentle telling from a woman in her roles as each of mother, wife and grandmother.

Different in that it really shines a light on the nature of reconciliation - as in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

I much admired the TRC at the time - and this book, a deep dive behind the scenes only adds to the admiration and respect that I hold for the TRC, the process, the Commissioner’s and the end report.

What shines through here is sense of dignity and respect… From top to bottom. Start to finish. Reading this it is easy to understand why the TRC was such a successful endeavour… in marked contrast to what I know of the MMIWG hearings and process a few years later.

I took copious notes while reading - but I’m not going to get into the nitty gritty… time is precious and lots of other titles on my TBR pile.

The one thing I will pull from my notes is this: As I read this, I feel the weight of it all, the toll. But what comes through also - deeply profoundly - is the sense of humanity and respect. I do not feel burdened reading this. She carries the burden for all of us… but I appreciate the impact regardless.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for granting me access to an early digital review copy.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| NORTH OF NOWHERE ||
#gifted @houseofanansi
✍🏻
Wilson shares her personal experience of being a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. The TRC was created for residential school survivors and their families as a way to tell their stories and help heal the community. It was also a way to provide record of the abuse and impact of residential schools in hopes of providing ways to move forward. Wilson was the lone non Indigenous commissioner. Working for six years, criss crossing the country, document the lasting impacts of residential schools, and advocated for Northern and Indigenous cultures and rights. She married former Chief Stephen Kakfwi of the Dene Nation and Premier of the Northwest Territories. Coming from a journalist background, this book is part documentation, part memoir. I found it well written, full of respect and dignity. I very much appreciated her insight and perspective on reconciliation. This book is relevant, moving and powerful. With Truth and Reconciliation Day, and Orange Shirt Day coming up this month, I cannot reccomend this enough!

For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marie Wilson is one of the three commissioners appointed to the Truth and Reconciliaton Commission, investigating the indigenous residential schools through listening to Survivor and witness accounts. She did so in a respectful, honest, and sensetive manner. She walked a delicate line between bringing these atrocities to light without going over the top and trying not to traumatize the reader. She also gives way to the Call to Action, hope, education, and most of all healing. I would highly recommend this book and believe every Canadian should read it! It is a large part of our history - one that has been swept underneath the carpet for far too long. In school, we learned all about the atrocities that happened in other countries. Meanwhile, we learned nothing about our own country. We all went blindly along living our lives, totally ignorant to what was happening in our own backyard. Thank you for the important lesson - one that will not be forgotten!

[Sheltondeverell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I view this book companion reading to the TRC report. The TRC report is a historically important document for Canada. This is a more personal account of what happened. This is written by a commissioner. This book is a person who was involved in a historically important event telling you how it felt to be there. You don't always read stories like that. I think both should be required reading in classrooms studying indigenous issues at the university level, among other books. Some events, documents and accounts, and lives lived are groundbreaking.

I admired this book because it had a very hopeful message; it suggested that the horrors of indigenous schools are not the defining factor of what indigenous people will become or contribute to Canadian society. Marie Wilson listened to the survivors, and she celebrated their resilience and strength.

[Patsey]

The school curriculum teaches the next generation these truths. My generation has so much to unlearn, acknowledge and reconcile. This book has helped me greatly. Thank you Marie Wilson, Murray Sinclair and Wilton Littlechild.
p. 222
“How did I bear it? I only had to witness it; I didn’t have to live it. I was an adult and knew how to reach out to those who love me for care and support. The kids in residential schools were children. They were alone. For most of their lives, they have remained alone, haunted by their experiences. Thinking they were the only one. Trying to make sense of it. Trying to forget it. And now, trying to tell their families, and trying to teach the rest of us. We MUST bear it. We must not look away. Surely that is the least we can do.”
p. 339
“May we respect the worth of each and every life with its potential to make a difference.”

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as part of the Forest of Reading Evergreen 2025 Nominees

This was one of the hardest books to read this year - largely due to it subject matter. I urge everyone to read this book, sit with it and look into the Calls for Action and continue to demand that we all work towards building reconciliation.

"We as citizens have to help the larger Canadian population both see and act. Reconciliation in this context means coming together as a whole, with one purpose being to hear and to heal, and then a critical common purpose, which is to move forward together. If we fail to go beyond apology and regret - if we admit the truth and ignore the reconciliation - that would be to repeat the profound offenses of the residential schools themselves"

[Gemington · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: residential schools, sexual violence, murder, violence, child abuse, child abduction, cultural genocide

A good summary of the national events of the TRC written by the only white and only woman of the three TRC commissioners. She reflects on her experience with a focus on spirituality and quote quilts from the hearings. It felt impersonal at times and because it stayed in the moment it really didn’t reflect much on what has come out since that time.

[Brad Mundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRC Commissioner Wilson has written an outstanding account of Canada’s reckoning with the incredible mistreatment of their First Nations. She concludes with her own calls to action: respect for all First Nations people, understanding of what they experienced and the damage that continues today, and commitment to do better by them going forward. The reader should be prepared to read every agonizing survivor statement, as they are all important for understanding what happened.

[Sue Sauve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully and sensitively written, Marie gives us the privilege and responsibility of more fully understanding Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. The personal investment in the Commission is gargantuan, inspirational.

[Marie Slivocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging, gut wrenching and emotional read. But all Canadians should be required to read, if only to be educated in what our government and churches have done to the Indigenous people of Canada.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will stay with me forever. Not only was it instrumental in advancing my own personal truth and reconciliation actions there was also so much useful content to make me think about the ways in which we engage with Indigenous communities at work.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read memoir about the formation and activity of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission, though confronting in it's content. I'm very glad I read it and would recommend it to others, but I likely won't read it again.

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dry at times, but full of relevant information and important considerations.

[LowellAnn Fuglsang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilson writes about an important part of current Canadian history

[Anne Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So valuable to have read this

[Jaime M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad this book exists. I didn’t get to hear or see the forward from Buffy St. Marie. Probably a good thing. It would have been rough. It’s a well done book with a lot of memories.

[Audrey Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting account on an insider's recall of her time on the TRC.

[Lynne Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent insight into our history and it's ongoing impact on the lives of many. A story that needs to be told and should be mandatory reading for all Canadians.

[Kim Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book. It opens eye, raises consciousness and causes all of us ask “why”!

[Marni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, at times heart-wrenching (as she tells testimonies of survivors). I especially appreciated her writing about how this process affected her.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Factually informative, if excessively emotional. Brings perspective to the challenge of reconciliation.