Lost Between The Cracks

by Mona Hardy, ShaeMichelle Watson

The biography of Anishinaabe trans knowledge keeper, Mona Hardy, Lost Between The Cracks is the tale of resilience, determination, and the space between two cultures. Follow Mona from her childhood to the end of her life, from the remote forests of Northern Ontario to the big city and back, in this rich tale of adventure, love, advocacy, and more. Lost Between The Cracks is a true story, told thru Mona's memories and stories. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you look for the people in your life who have been lost between the cracks, in between cultures, who just need a lucky break or a helping hand. Written with ShaeMichelle Watson, a Settler Canadian novelist and dear friend of Mona's.

Genres: Indigenous

124 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mona Hardy was an Anishinaabe trans Knowledge Keeper from Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, who grew up in the bush in the 50s, rode the rails out of town as a teen and lived all over Turtle Island, and spent the latter decades of her life in my home city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. I only had the privilege of meeting Mona a few times, but I feel like ShaeMichelle captured her voice well.

This series of vignettes from across her life doesn’t aim to comprehensively tell Mona’s story, but does give the reader a sense of her personality, depth, and incredible talents and spirit. I was a little sceptical about what the writing would be like, as I sometimes am by self published books, but I was honestly captivated. It felt like hearing Mona tell the story directly, with some light edits to improve the linear flow.

Mona had a difficult but incredible life. Her story includes some pretty hard stuff like childhood physical and emotional abuse and neglect, Indian Day School, transphobic sexual violence, and experiences of homelessness and survival sex work. I cried over one particularly heartbreaking loss for her in the book.

But throughout all that she survives with humour and tenacity, learns many languages, travels the world, becomes a dancer, an artist, a gifted baker/pastry chef and a social worker. Later in life as kidney disease forces her to slow down, she becomes a patient advocate. She shares many nuggets of wisdom gleaned throughout the book.

Despite all her hardships, she never got lost in substance use, but is sympathetic to the many who do, when like her they are confronted with poverty, transphobia, homophobia, racism, etc.

Although she was trans, this story does not directly address Mona’s transition experience which I respected. She tells her story as it is, the story of a girl who grew into a woman, a woman who just happened to be trans. She fiercely knows herself, and her rightful place in her culture, despite the transphobia of the colonial mindset.

I was incredibly touched by a passage earlier in the book when she talks about Creator knowing things are meant to change and that is why he gave us wheat, but not bread, and grapes, but not wine. “Being trans is just the same: you add life to what you were given and become your true self” (25). I feel inspired by how Mona crafted her life, and am grateful she shared her story.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible life and story

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories from 2SLGBTQIA+ elders are so rare. There aren't many. That being said, I appreciate this book and that Mona wanted to share her story.

There's one quote I wanted to put in this that has left me thinking, and I will probably think about it for a long time to come.

"But I found myself; I'd find myself a hundred times knowing who I am now, knowing what it cost to be the true me."

Reading the book feels like you're sitting with her, and she's telling her story. I know the writer expressed worried in the beginning about not feeling qualified enough to be the one to write the book, but I think you did a great job.