Killing the Shamen

Cree Legends of Sandy Lake

by Chief Thomas Fiddler (Narrator), James R. Stevens (Editor)

A 1909 Windigo murder trial. Soon to be a major motion picture.

Charged with murder was old Jack Fiddler, a shaman and leader of the Sucker clan from the upper Severn river in what is now northwestern Ontario. Joseph Fiddler, Jack's younger brother, was also charged. Their alleged crime was the killing of a possessed woman who had turned into the dreaded windigo.

One of the most unusual cases in the history of Canadian jurisprudence commenced in Norway House, Manitoba, in the fall of 1907. Killing the Shamen is the true and fascinating account of the events that lead up to the "murder," the trial, and the aftermath. The present work is one volume in a trilogy of Sandy Lake stories, including Sacred Legends and Legends from the Forest.

Genres: Indigenous, Canada

218 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps not the best from a literary perspective but important in trying to capture history that has been lost for so many people. More than just the look into a trial of Joseph Fiddler - but a look at the history prior and after contact with settlers and the devestating impacts.

[Kaijala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and insightful read. By focusing on the story of the Sucker clansman the reader gets an up-close and personal view on the larger picture of western colonization and expansion into the North. This book is told with a strong narrative throughout, separated chapter to chapter by different generations. You get personal accounts of the times and a very vivid picture is painted of what life was like in the region.

In 200 pages you get a lot of information and perspective, it's a very informative book. It shows how western expansion affected indigenous people chapter to chapter, starting with the fur trade and ending with the (then) modern day. The book is written in a way that many people get to tell their stories and even something as simple as the introduction of the outboard motor in the region is interesting.

The trial comes as an early climax in the book where it becomes a gripping read that's impossible to put down. The narrative shifts to focus on the signing of a treaty, the introduction of religion and various hunting stories. It rushes through the 1950's-80's in just a few pages. There are unfortunately a good deal of spelling mistakes in the first half also.

But all throughout the book there is lots of great information and as a short read it's a good starting point to learn more of the conditions indigenous people faced in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The tighter focus helps you get more invested as you learn about the individual stories of people in the region.

This book is absolutely worth reading and I found it very engaging.