What do you think?
Rate this book
The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin
Bestselling author of Birdie, Tracey Lindberg, and renowned artist George Littlechild join together in a stunning collaboration of story and art to explore love in all its forms—romantic, familial, community and kin—in the Cree experience
In The Cree Word for Love, author Tracey Lindberg and artist George Littlechild consider a teaching from an Elder that in their culture, the notion of love as constructed in Western society does not exist. Here, through original fiction and select iconic paintings, Lindberg and Littlechild respond.
Together they have created and curated this collaboration which travels, season by season, mirroring the four rounds in ceremony, through the themes of the love within a family, ties of kinship, desire for romantic love and connection, strength in the face of loss and violence, and importance of self-love, as well as, crucially, a deeper exploration of the meaning of “all my relations.”
Together, art and story inspire and move readers to recall our responsibilities to our human and more than human relations, to think about the obligation that is love, and to imagine what it could possibly mean to have no Cree word for love. The result is a powerful story about where we find connection, strength, and the many forms of what it means to live lovingly.
In The Cree Word for Love, author Tracey Lindberg and artist George Littlechild consider a teaching from an Elder that in their culture, the notion of love as constructed in Western society does not exist. Here, through original fiction and select iconic paintings, Lindberg and Littlechild respond.
Together they have created and curated this collaboration which travels, season by season, mirroring the four rounds in ceremony, through the themes of the love within a family, ties of kinship, desire for romantic love and connection, strength in the face of loss and violence, and importance of self-love, as well as, crucially, a deeper exploration of the meaning of “all my relations.”
Together, art and story inspire and move readers to recall our responsibilities to our human and more than human relations, to think about the obligation that is love, and to imagine what it could possibly mean to have no Cree word for love. The result is a powerful story about where we find connection, strength, and the many forms of what it means to live lovingly.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published September 2, 2025
About the author
Tracey Lindberg
6 books143 followersTracey Lindberg is a citizen of As’in’i’wa’chi Ni’yaw Nation Rocky Mountain Cree and hails from the Kelly Lake Cree Nation community.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Harvard University and the University of Ottawa law schools, she is the first Aboriginal woman in Canada to complete her graduate law degree at Harvard. Lindberg won the Governor General's Award in 2007 upon convocation for her dissertation "Critical Indigenous Legal Theory".
She is an award-winning academic writer and teaches Indigenous studies and Indigenous law at two universities in Canada. She sings the blues loudly, talks quietly and is next in a long line of argumentative Cree women. Birdie is her first novel.
A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Harvard University and the University of Ottawa law schools, she is the first Aboriginal woman in Canada to complete her graduate law degree at Harvard. Lindberg won the Governor General's Award in 2007 upon convocation for her dissertation "Critical Indigenous Legal Theory".
She is an award-winning academic writer and teaches Indigenous studies and Indigenous law at two universities in Canada. She sings the blues loudly, talks quietly and is next in a long line of argumentative Cree women. Birdie is her first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 21, 2026
What does decolonized love look like?
Self-acceptance in defiance of colonial norms.
The right to love ourselves and our families just as we are.
The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin by Tracey Lindberg, featuring artwork by George Littlechild (Cree), was a foray into everything that hurts in a good way. Like little Ojibwe bruises I avoid pressing on.
Love within friendships. Cancer ushering goodbyes full of love and dandelion tea. Love communicated wordlessly through spiritual gifts.
Love beyond gender norms.
Through seasons, Cree artwork, cycles, red flags, and footnotes full of crow thoughts.
For me, this book gave power to loving one’s Indigenous self wholly, traumas and all. We are not what has been done to us. We do not have to accept less than we deserve. And if we once did, we are not required to continue or punish ourselves for what we did to survive.
Some of the most challenging literature is the most rewarding. It exists in the in-between, beyond what we are taught to expect from Western storytelling.
Let yourself feel this one. Read it slowly. Don’t question anything until the end. Let it hurt.
The @goodmedicinebookclub read this during our February meeting at Millennium Library, and it was a beautiful time. We laughed, shared, and sat with big emotions together. We all came away with a deeper understanding of what decolonized love and literature can look like and the power of reading with community.
If you were there and are reading this:
miigwech, miigwech, miigwech. 🤍
Self-acceptance in defiance of colonial norms.
The right to love ourselves and our families just as we are.
The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin by Tracey Lindberg, featuring artwork by George Littlechild (Cree), was a foray into everything that hurts in a good way. Like little Ojibwe bruises I avoid pressing on.
Love within friendships. Cancer ushering goodbyes full of love and dandelion tea. Love communicated wordlessly through spiritual gifts.
Love beyond gender norms.
Through seasons, Cree artwork, cycles, red flags, and footnotes full of crow thoughts.
For me, this book gave power to loving one’s Indigenous self wholly, traumas and all. We are not what has been done to us. We do not have to accept less than we deserve. And if we once did, we are not required to continue or punish ourselves for what we did to survive.
Some of the most challenging literature is the most rewarding. It exists in the in-between, beyond what we are taught to expect from Western storytelling.
Let yourself feel this one. Read it slowly. Don’t question anything until the end. Let it hurt.
The @goodmedicinebookclub read this during our February meeting at Millennium Library, and it was a beautiful time. We laughed, shared, and sat with big emotions together. We all came away with a deeper understanding of what decolonized love and literature can look like and the power of reading with community.
If you were there and are reading this:
miigwech, miigwech, miigwech. 🤍
October 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“It will be decades before she understands that calling someone an addict is just grieving for them while they are alive. Thinking of them as human, fallible, capable of love and good allows you a better grief.”
“Colonial Violence is a cash racket. Cash rackets have longevity.”
I spent the Day for Truth and Reconciliation reading this book by indigenous author, Tracey Lindberg (author of Birdie), and I have mixed feelings about it.
So, firstly this book is gorgeous, filled with art work from George Littlechild. Breathtaking, bold pieces full of colour and rich imagery.
The book itself felt a little bit messy, almost like I couldn’t really understand all that I was reading. Being Metis I do not have the understanding of Cree teachings that perhaps is needed to truly enjoy the story. There were certain lines or paragraphs that took my breath away, however the novel as a whole feels disjointed.
“It will be decades before she understands that calling someone an addict is just grieving for them while they are alive. Thinking of them as human, fallible, capable of love and good allows you a better grief.”
“Colonial Violence is a cash racket. Cash rackets have longevity.”
I spent the Day for Truth and Reconciliation reading this book by indigenous author, Tracey Lindberg (author of Birdie), and I have mixed feelings about it.
So, firstly this book is gorgeous, filled with art work from George Littlechild. Breathtaking, bold pieces full of colour and rich imagery.
The book itself felt a little bit messy, almost like I couldn’t really understand all that I was reading. Being Metis I do not have the understanding of Cree teachings that perhaps is needed to truly enjoy the story. There were certain lines or paragraphs that took my breath away, however the novel as a whole feels disjointed.
October 14, 2025
Very good book written as a collection of short stories about a family at various points of time.
October 7, 2025
Beautiful and poetic - this felt like an exploration, in many ways, of what love isn’t. It feels like a reflection on love as a verb, as something we do rather than something we say. Each story touches on lessons learned, experiences lived, and the quiet moments of choosing to see things for what they are.
The writing is lyrical and layered. I’ll admit, some of the messages definitely went over my head (as tends to happen with poetic short essay collections 😭), but even when I didn’t fully grasp every nuance, I could still recognize how beautiful it was.
The writing is lyrical and layered. I’ll admit, some of the messages definitely went over my head (as tends to happen with poetic short essay collections 😭), but even when I didn’t fully grasp every nuance, I could still recognize how beautiful it was.
January 28, 2026
This book of short stories was achingly beautiful. Steeped in generational trauma, traditions, self love and identity; this book tells stories of all kinds of love. Whether toxic, parental, romantic or platonic; this book had it all. The writing was beautiful, visceral and engaging. It made me laugh, cry and self reflect. The stories felt alive, truly wanting to be shared to the reader. The Cree art by George Littlechild was gorgeous as well and gave even more life to the stories. Fans of Maya Angelou’s storytelling would definitely love this
January 31, 2026
Birdie is one of my favorite books ever and I really liked this one too, just not as much as Birdie but they were also different kind of books so it's a weird comparison. I really enjoyed this book though
October 6, 2026
So good.
The authors style of writing is fantastic. It feels like the narrator is talking to me. Telling me stories about myself. These stories really make you think about your values, life experiences and who you are or want to be.
The authors style of writing is fantastic. It feels like the narrator is talking to me. Telling me stories about myself. These stories really make you think about your values, life experiences and who you are or want to be.
December 29, 2025
What a gorgeous book. Really savoured this and picked up/put down. This book lit up a special part of my brain when “Fluevog-booted” and nicimos were used in the same paragraph. One of my fav stories was “The Little People are Queer” and the line: “There was a time when all of us loved all of us” (p.185) 🤌. Also loved “Things I Loved About People I Hate”. Also, the artwork…❤️also, also.
October 8, 2026
The narration, dialogue, and intensity of the action was very compelling but I feel like I was missing context about the characters and their settings. I feel like more scene building would have helped me feel more emotionally engaged.
October 15, 2026
from what i understood the concept to be, it was a very good concept for a book. the execution, however, falls short.
Read
September 17, 2026Always a pleasure to read about the lives of other people. To get perspective, to learn, and to see the world through somone else's lens. *audiobook
March 17, 2026
Tracey Lindberg and artist George Littlechild craft stories around one family where they consider the Cree ideas of love, which are more expansive than that espoused in Western literature. Lindberg's stories consider family ties, sisterhood, romantic love, as well as how to find strength in the face of love and violence, and self respect and love for one's self. Littlechild's gorgeous paintings preface and illustrate each short story's theme.
This is a beautiful book.
This is a beautiful book.
October 26, 2026
Fluidity of gender pp.3-5 “know that we are born to love whoever that Has been Created in with by for joy”
Chapter: Feeling
- Andy the moocher runs over toys; Azela doesn’t like him; feelings about people - know uncle is dear
A feeling person - women need to learn at a young age who is a “wolf”
chapter: Sometimes Y
The rot in his teeth tells the truth ; stay away from the uncle- or else. P.22 racism during COVID
Chapter: A Hex for Colton
“Our children are a promise, reciprocally, between the Great Mystery and people.” P. 33
“Waited for something called fairness, knew they would never see justice pp.33-35
- trauma carries on into other generations p.39
Chapter: Ten TImes When New I was Beautiful
- body dysmorphia: who decides what is beautiful; how do we see ourselves; how does age help us to see as a “better”
- finger nails scars form fights with her sister p.43: “we are beautifully marked for life by each other”
- “when my abuser comes for his daily torment the dog won’t let him near me.” P. 46
-“no one needs to love you to want to touch you” p. 46
Love:
- intimacy can make you beautiful. Love can too, but love can also build resentment.: p.49
Chapter: The Woman Who Loved a Crow
- found this one challenging to read; scanned a lot of it; not crazy about the footnotes either
Chapter: The Summer of my Serial Killer or ‘I Kissed a Pretendian and I Liked It’
- the language! Incredible
“”…intelligent piranha nibbling at your cerebral cortex” p.62
Chapter: Things I Loved About People I hate
- juxtaposition of her descriptions
“ He wasn’t even hateful. Just that casual awful that those eyes abetted.” P. 79
“A huge dick…He can thank the Creator for that because that dick’s parasitic appendage (the rest of him) had much less to offer. “ p. 80
“…I am in awe of how much love and kind intentions she had for them. Still does. Years of self-hatred and abuse had muddied my perception. But her love, I love.” P.80
“My admiration for her showing up, even though she was an asshole, was huge.” P.81
“He wasn’t just a bad white person, he was a lesson in ethical engagement.: p. 86
FALL
Chapter: Traplines p. 103
- assumed he was gay and not a whole lot
- Annoyed that her message to settlers is often lost on listeners:
“ you have an obligation as settler peoples to defer to Indigenous peoples’ definition of and and desire for reconciliation, and settlers must do the work (without taking the lead or the credit)”p. 105
- circle: men, women, elders, children: that elders and children do not have a designated gender
- an elder taught her that women and men are on separate sides of the circle; it is living,a and gentle this teaching,
An elder taught her that it is their job to think and think with logic. Logic connotes critical thinking; critical thinking is the bedrock of critique pp 107
- her comments to the group: she and other presenters are formed by colonial violence and she and other presenters benefit from its perpetuation; as humans others were given the gift of logic: use it. P.109
Chapter: The Cree Word for Love p.111
Dandelion tea as a panacea for cancer - her sister read about this p.112 (CM looked it up not peer reviewed article to support) sister died 4 weeks after diagnosis
- she tells her husband (meanly) when he tells her he has stopped believing in miracles that he has no right to grieve as she does as he did not love her [her sister] as deeply as she did p. 116
- his comment was the last straw as she only kept him around because he believed in miracles and his turning his back on miracles meant something to her; later on she goes through his things and finds dandelion tea
- a harshness in this story
Chapter.: Cannot Forget the M p. 120
- she is third generation of an interracial coupling in her Cree line
Describing her father: “he was a happy mean man - worst kind of mean because no one believes you
- first husband was creepy, social creepy
- second husband love language: he liked dominating women; he was gross p. 121; he could not tell you one detail about things he liked p.121; hedonist p.122; this husband espoused her native news when with his friends but not when he was with addicts; horrible man; his father said to her “you’re 50/100 lbs overweight but you’re still a good person and he’s lucky to have you” p.123 WTF
- she pays for everything; ….the language again: after she spent years felling invisible, he looked at her and loved her. She paid cash for that. P. 124
-drug addiction and she was first generation economically stable- he was next generation economically stable
- colonialism: not acknowledging matriarch leaders. Shameful.
- review of both marriages and both husbands are not great. Why does she stay.
Chapter: Better Grief p. 131
- juxtaposition of language
- addiction of obliviousness - becomes an alcoholic
P. 134 the drinking : teenagers in a truck - became drivers, - exploitation and normalization of male drunkenness
- internalized as normal
- brother with addiction - stupidly loyal; generally stupid p. 135
- she relapses into stupidity as often as he does to drugs p. 136
Connection: addiction as a monster
Winter
Moose heart p. 145
- questions everything: elder roles, whee would you be; relationship goals
- identifies 13 items p. 151
- looking for reason not to be alone,- nebulous,
Love language - which one
P. 153
- Cree elder told her there is no Cree word for love
- Four Hearts (of the moose) like love - a metaphor
- don’t need a long term plan, just need to know when and how to feed them p. 155
Chapter: All My Relation p. 157
- alcoholism & Alphonse - sober for 11 months
- he has many gifts: can read the room,, bush, forest floor, the sky p. 161
P.162 - The Northern Lights -he can smell them coming; kin to him; understood their language; learns to rely on himself - interpret to understand his surroundings
- this is my favourite chapter: it is very beautiful his relations/love for the lights
Chapter : Sisters, A Love Story p. 171
- grows up lonely - not finding her people/ her personal friend p. 172
“INDIGENOUs lover, weirdo , - see a person and connects with her when they are 8 or 9 and then doesn’t see her again until they are 17/18;
- SA: sexual assault - she and Beth, low key troubled
- dirty adjacent - marvellous description of people - how she is seen as dirty and thus those who are with her are as well; stories that fear for Ned her
P. 182 :You tolerate each others; assholishness
- common experiences bind/bond them together
- on motherhood: wise decision not to pass on the hardened gene of hurt
- she has beautiful friendships/love
Chapter: THe Little People Are Queer
- like a creation story sort of p. 185
- a time when :all of us” loved all of us - GREAT LINE
- creator built a perfect being p. 186
- fantastically normal - the language!!
- many ways to be p.202 - we can all exits/shift in the spectrum
Finished the book: the juxtaposition of language is so powerful in this text.
There is no word for love in the Cree language and yet the writer explores so many ways/types of love
- we are scarred by our experiences: sexual assault & abuse, alcoholism, residential schools, the trauma of our ancestors and yet…we continue to love.
Chapter: Feeling
- Andy the moocher runs over toys; Azela doesn’t like him; feelings about people - know uncle is dear
A feeling person - women need to learn at a young age who is a “wolf”
chapter: Sometimes Y
The rot in his teeth tells the truth ; stay away from the uncle- or else. P.22 racism during COVID
Chapter: A Hex for Colton
“Our children are a promise, reciprocally, between the Great Mystery and people.” P. 33
“Waited for something called fairness, knew they would never see justice pp.33-35
- trauma carries on into other generations p.39
Chapter: Ten TImes When New I was Beautiful
- body dysmorphia: who decides what is beautiful; how do we see ourselves; how does age help us to see as a “better”
- finger nails scars form fights with her sister p.43: “we are beautifully marked for life by each other”
- “when my abuser comes for his daily torment the dog won’t let him near me.” P. 46
-“no one needs to love you to want to touch you” p. 46
Love:
- intimacy can make you beautiful. Love can too, but love can also build resentment.: p.49
Chapter: The Woman Who Loved a Crow
- found this one challenging to read; scanned a lot of it; not crazy about the footnotes either
Chapter: The Summer of my Serial Killer or ‘I Kissed a Pretendian and I Liked It’
- the language! Incredible
“”…intelligent piranha nibbling at your cerebral cortex” p.62
Chapter: Things I Loved About People I hate
- juxtaposition of her descriptions
“ He wasn’t even hateful. Just that casual awful that those eyes abetted.” P. 79
“A huge dick…He can thank the Creator for that because that dick’s parasitic appendage (the rest of him) had much less to offer. “ p. 80
“…I am in awe of how much love and kind intentions she had for them. Still does. Years of self-hatred and abuse had muddied my perception. But her love, I love.” P.80
“My admiration for her showing up, even though she was an asshole, was huge.” P.81
“He wasn’t just a bad white person, he was a lesson in ethical engagement.: p. 86
FALL
Chapter: Traplines p. 103
- assumed he was gay and not a whole lot
- Annoyed that her message to settlers is often lost on listeners:
“ you have an obligation as settler peoples to defer to Indigenous peoples’ definition of and and desire for reconciliation, and settlers must do the work (without taking the lead or the credit)”p. 105
- circle: men, women, elders, children: that elders and children do not have a designated gender
- an elder taught her that women and men are on separate sides of the circle; it is living,a and gentle this teaching,
An elder taught her that it is their job to think and think with logic. Logic connotes critical thinking; critical thinking is the bedrock of critique pp 107
- her comments to the group: she and other presenters are formed by colonial violence and she and other presenters benefit from its perpetuation; as humans others were given the gift of logic: use it. P.109
Chapter: The Cree Word for Love p.111
Dandelion tea as a panacea for cancer - her sister read about this p.112 (CM looked it up not peer reviewed article to support) sister died 4 weeks after diagnosis
- she tells her husband (meanly) when he tells her he has stopped believing in miracles that he has no right to grieve as she does as he did not love her [her sister] as deeply as she did p. 116
- his comment was the last straw as she only kept him around because he believed in miracles and his turning his back on miracles meant something to her; later on she goes through his things and finds dandelion tea
- a harshness in this story
Chapter.: Cannot Forget the M p. 120
- she is third generation of an interracial coupling in her Cree line
Describing her father: “he was a happy mean man - worst kind of mean because no one believes you
- first husband was creepy, social creepy
- second husband love language: he liked dominating women; he was gross p. 121; he could not tell you one detail about things he liked p.121; hedonist p.122; this husband espoused her native news when with his friends but not when he was with addicts; horrible man; his father said to her “you’re 50/100 lbs overweight but you’re still a good person and he’s lucky to have you” p.123 WTF
- she pays for everything; ….the language again: after she spent years felling invisible, he looked at her and loved her. She paid cash for that. P. 124
-drug addiction and she was first generation economically stable- he was next generation economically stable
- colonialism: not acknowledging matriarch leaders. Shameful.
- review of both marriages and both husbands are not great. Why does she stay.
Chapter: Better Grief p. 131
- juxtaposition of language
- addiction of obliviousness - becomes an alcoholic
P. 134 the drinking : teenagers in a truck - became drivers, - exploitation and normalization of male drunkenness
- internalized as normal
- brother with addiction - stupidly loyal; generally stupid p. 135
- she relapses into stupidity as often as he does to drugs p. 136
Connection: addiction as a monster
Winter
Moose heart p. 145
- questions everything: elder roles, whee would you be; relationship goals
- identifies 13 items p. 151
- looking for reason not to be alone,- nebulous,
Love language - which one
P. 153
- Cree elder told her there is no Cree word for love
- Four Hearts (of the moose) like love - a metaphor
- don’t need a long term plan, just need to know when and how to feed them p. 155
Chapter: All My Relation p. 157
- alcoholism & Alphonse - sober for 11 months
- he has many gifts: can read the room,, bush, forest floor, the sky p. 161
P.162 - The Northern Lights -he can smell them coming; kin to him; understood their language; learns to rely on himself - interpret to understand his surroundings
- this is my favourite chapter: it is very beautiful his relations/love for the lights
Chapter : Sisters, A Love Story p. 171
- grows up lonely - not finding her people/ her personal friend p. 172
“INDIGENOUs lover, weirdo , - see a person and connects with her when they are 8 or 9 and then doesn’t see her again until they are 17/18;
- SA: sexual assault - she and Beth, low key troubled
- dirty adjacent - marvellous description of people - how she is seen as dirty and thus those who are with her are as well; stories that fear for Ned her
P. 182 :You tolerate each others; assholishness
- common experiences bind/bond them together
- on motherhood: wise decision not to pass on the hardened gene of hurt
- she has beautiful friendships/love
Chapter: THe Little People Are Queer
- like a creation story sort of p. 185
- a time when :all of us” loved all of us - GREAT LINE
- creator built a perfect being p. 186
- fantastically normal - the language!!
- many ways to be p.202 - we can all exits/shift in the spectrum
Finished the book: the juxtaposition of language is so powerful in this text.
There is no word for love in the Cree language and yet the writer explores so many ways/types of love
- we are scarred by our experiences: sexual assault & abuse, alcoholism, residential schools, the trauma of our ancestors and yet…we continue to love.
May 29, 2026
“the Little People are Queer”
This book defines Indigenous love, not the westernized/Eurocentric version of love.
This book defines Indigenous love, not the westernized/Eurocentric version of love.
February 25, 2026
At times, I thought it was beautifully written, with a lyricism that penetrated. At other times, I thought that it droned on.
I think that it was unique in its presentation of the story that we have heard before. I would be inclined to say that it is different than other books about the Indigenous struggle in the world. The many ways that she describes love fits in in culture, not just Indigenous cultures. There is a certain amount of connection that any reader could have with this book.
The synopsis of the book suggests that an Elder in Cree culture suggests that love as a western ideology does not exist. This book spends the entire time refuting that....in my opinion. I am not sure if that was the sole goal of the book, but it did succeed in suggesting that in her culture, love in many forms does exist.
I do think that where this gets lost is that a general understanding of Cree culture, will help one understand the book far better. She talks as if she is at a ceremony and that can get a bit confusing.
However, what kept shining through are the many types of love....toxic, negative, parental, sexual, emotional, etc. It reminds the reader that love exists in many forms.
I think that it was unique in its presentation of the story that we have heard before. I would be inclined to say that it is different than other books about the Indigenous struggle in the world. The many ways that she describes love fits in in culture, not just Indigenous cultures. There is a certain amount of connection that any reader could have with this book.
The synopsis of the book suggests that an Elder in Cree culture suggests that love as a western ideology does not exist. This book spends the entire time refuting that....in my opinion. I am not sure if that was the sole goal of the book, but it did succeed in suggesting that in her culture, love in many forms does exist.
I do think that where this gets lost is that a general understanding of Cree culture, will help one understand the book far better. She talks as if she is at a ceremony and that can get a bit confusing.
However, what kept shining through are the many types of love....toxic, negative, parental, sexual, emotional, etc. It reminds the reader that love exists in many forms.
November 2, 2025
It took me a few stories to truly receive this book that way it was intended. I think I had to let go of Birdie in my reading, one of my most favourite books of all time written by Lindberg. First of all, the art of Littlechild, what a gift, what a joy! I just want to see his canvases in life, large, bright and beckoning. The stories crafted by Lindberg are so needed in this day and age, honouring of all life forms, reweaving of gender and play, so much play. This is a book I will return to for its hope and teachings. Experiencing this book as an audio book would be ideal - except you must see the art - as it is written in an oral tradition/non-tradition and I could imagine hearing these stories again and again preferably around a fire.
I adored All My Relations, centring characters whose life has largely been on a bar stool and telling the story of love and transition. Things I Loved About People I Hate, I think I'm living that story right now, the complexity of all forms of relationship. I'll be recommending this book to many.
I adored All My Relations, centring characters whose life has largely been on a bar stool and telling the story of love and transition. Things I Loved About People I Hate, I think I'm living that story right now, the complexity of all forms of relationship. I'll be recommending this book to many.
December 30, 2025
Perhaps I had an unfair expectation of this book having listened so admiringly and respectfully to Tracey speak at an Author's series. The prints paired with the stories - paintings by George Littlechild - are gorgeous. Tracey explained how she picked 12 of George's paintings and then wrote stories that reflected the painting - something that I suppose would be quite subjective. At the beginning of the book she explains that the stories are rooted in the four seasons. I read some of the book, I listened on audio book and then started again with the first 3 stories and I honestly just think that I didn't get it. The fault is all mine. I found some of the first stories easy to follow and understand and then I just got lost. I also found it to be a very sad book - love was not happy for the most part. I kept wondering if this was auto fiction or based on people she knew?
Perhaps it would be the type of book that you could do a bookclub with, meeting each week discussing each chapter and learning from a colonist and indigenous point of view - almost like a 12 Step ....
Perhaps it would be the type of book that you could do a bookclub with, meeting each week discussing each chapter and learning from a colonist and indigenous point of view - almost like a 12 Step ....
October 23, 2025
This book is an absolute gift. Tracey’s writing is so powerful, wise, and thoughtful. She’s that aunty that will quietly observe and then write an absolute masterpiece about it later on. A Hex for Colten genuinely took my breath away. That story alone deserves the highest praise. She holds that part of Colten’s story with such care and kindness, but also rightful rage and grief. George Littlechild’s illustrations complement Tracey’s writing so perfectly. I’ve loved his work since I was a child and he illustrated Richard van Camp’s books. It was so nice to visit with him again through this book. He has such a unique and stunning style that helps make this book worth its weight in gold ten times over.
September 29, 2025
Thanks to @harpercollinsca for sending me this gem. “The Cree Word for Love: Sakihitowin” by Tracey Lindbergh (Birdie author) and with beautiful illustrations by George Littlechild. There is a lesson in coming at this book with a new perspective and with a careful mindset. I don’t think you should read this from a colonizer mindset you need to dig deeper and have patience and take your time. Try to connect with the book and take moments to reflect. The author guidance questions and answers at the end of the book are very helpful.
January 12, 2026
I'm still puzzling over what the Lindberg was saying about love in the context of abuse and dysfunction (which are pieces of a much larger narrative whole). There's a lot of hard-earned wisdom in these vignettes. Interesting and well written; this left me with a bittersweet melancholy.
I read a hardcover edition of this book and feel this is the best format to take in the story. The art is beautiful, and well placed - and the thick, glossy paper gives a pleasing tactile experience worthy of the illustrations.
I read a hardcover edition of this book and feel this is the best format to take in the story. The art is beautiful, and well placed - and the thick, glossy paper gives a pleasing tactile experience worthy of the illustrations.
September 29, 2025
Every chapter of the story invites you to slow down, reflect, and sit with the profound truths and beauty within its pages. Tracey Lindberg’s words are poetic and powerful, while George Littlechild’s artwork brings an emotional, visual richness.
This book is a meditative experience, both literary and visual. It rewards readers who take their time.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But don’t rush it. Let it unfold, chapter by chapter. That’s when the story truly speaks
This book is a meditative experience, both literary and visual. It rewards readers who take their time.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But don’t rush it. Let it unfold, chapter by chapter. That’s when the story truly speaks
October 18, 2025
There is love and truth and honesty and learning here. While some understanding is beyond me, much soaked in and there’s no denying the writing is both impactful and beautiful. While I listened to the audiobook, there’s accompanying art and I likely will look for the print book to better understand the integration.
Thank you to Libro.fm and HarperAvenue for the Audiobook Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Libro.fm and HarperAvenue for the Audiobook Listening Copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2025
Beautifully intimate writing and I really loved the accompanying art. I found keeping track of everyone in the family a bit confusing so ended up reading it as a collection of essays with overlapping themes and characters. I think worth a reread to fully sit with the meaning of each chapter and agree with other reviews that it should be read slowly.
December 13, 2025
I found this a mixed bag. Some of the stories left me scratching my head, some were amusing, and a few felt profound. They are divided into seasons. I didn’t succeed in puzzling out why any particular story was included in a section really. The art is beautiful. Overall, a worthwhile read. 3.5 stars.
December 17, 2025
Picked this up as a local novel at my library. I don't know how it is local, but I enjoyed it.
I think this book would be best read in a short amount of time (i.e. binging in a day or two). Reading it over a couple of weeks, I lost track of the relationships between the characters and I also lost track of who was narrating each section.
I think this book would be best read in a short amount of time (i.e. binging in a day or two). Reading it over a couple of weeks, I lost track of the relationships between the characters and I also lost track of who was narrating each section.
July 1, 2026
-goes through interwoven stories of different kinds of love at different ages
-most focus on romantic, chemical love but there are so many types: friendship, siblings, parent and child
-mostly focussed on one family line, but jumped around with others and some animals too
-later in life they talk about loving yourself and the stigma of being alone
-most focus on romantic, chemical love but there are so many types: friendship, siblings, parent and child
-mostly focussed on one family line, but jumped around with others and some animals too
-later in life they talk about loving yourself and the stigma of being alone
September 30, 2026
The introduction states: "There is no Cree word for love, Wll, not like settler love. There is no word for that romanticized version of love." The book goes on to tell stories of love through the seasons. The indigenous people created read as different than 'white settlers' - and yet still like them. Each chapter is illustrated with beautiful acrylic works by George Littlechild.
September 15, 2025
Wow! What truly stunning artwork - and a gorgeous cover.
Lots to reflect on here. I really appreciated both the Introduction and the Discussion questions at the end… they helped greatly with my understanding.
Lots to reflect on here. I really appreciated both the Introduction and the Discussion questions at the end… they helped greatly with my understanding.
November 4, 2025
“There are many ways to be, and multiple genders to be born as; it would be so thrilling to envision a public conversation that normalizes the idea that we all can exist/shift amongst a spectrum. Of gender. Of beings.”
February 3, 2026
I had a lot of fun reading this one. Having the art accompany the stories was so much fun, I love visuals in books and these did not disappoint! My favourite story from all the short stories was definitely "the Cree Word for Love" (how fitting) just so sad and beautiful all at once
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews