Soft as Bones: A Memoir

by Chyana Marie Sage

A poetic memoir as intricately woven as a dreamcatcher about overcoming the pain of generational trauma with the power of traditional healing.

In her deeply affecting memoir, Soft as Bones, Chyana Marie Sage shares the pain of growing up with her a crack dealer who went to prison for molesting her older sister. She details the shame and guilt she carried for years after her family’s trauma as she went from one dysfunctional relationship to another, from one illegal drug to another. In revisiting her family’s history and weaving in the perspectives of her mother and sisters, Chyana examines the legacy of generational abuse, which began with her father’s father, who was forcibly removed from his family by the residential schools and Sixties Scoops programs.

Yet hers is also a story of hope, as it was the traditions of her people that saved her life. In candid, incisive, and delicate prose, Chyana braids personal narrative with Cree stories and ceremonies, all as a means of healing one small piece of the mosaic that makes up the dark past of colonialism shared by Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island.

Genres: Memoir, Indigenous, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir

296 pages, Paperback

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

CHYANA MARIE SAGE is a Cree, Métis, and Salish writer from Edmonton, Alberta. Her essay “Soar” won first place in the Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest, then won Silver in the National Magazine Awards. Her memoir, Soft as Bones, is set for release May 27, 2025.

She graduated with an MFA in creative non-fiction from Columbia University, where she taught as an adjunct professor. Her journalism has appeared in HuffPost, the New Quarterly, and the Toronto Star.

She teaches Indigenous youth how to foster self-love and healing through writing for Connected North, hosts her own masterclasses, and models in her spare time. When she isn’t working, she is travelling and seeing nature around the world.

Reviews

[Mystic Faerie ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Harsh. Painful. Reality. Truthful. Hopeful.

[Anthony Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its close, this memoir compares itself to a shed skin, a collective remnant of experience, one that is turned slowly for all its tears and runs until ultimately what stands out are the places it still holds together. It is a traumatic story, but one that never shies away from the strange complexities of experience, those little moments that separate life from tidy fiction. From the central narrative of resilience to the smaller threads of folklore and language, it remains powerful throughout and is a memorable read.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sage's memoir tells the story of her growing up in Canada with an abusive father and, later, boyfriends and the drug abuse where it led her. The majority of the book deals with Sage's struggles, but at the very end the taking of indigenous children from their families is mentioned. Sage's story is compelling and her writing lyrical. However, I didn't feel a lot of integration of the indigenous history of family separation and Sage's own story. That portion felt like it was just tacked on at the end. Sage kept her personal heritage at the forefront with the drawing out of the drum making and the stories she related. The taking of indigenous children is a horrible part of history and needs more light to be drawn to it, but I didn't feel like that was the point of this book and tacking it on at the end feels clumsy.

Release Date: 5/27/2025

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional memoir!!
Thank you to House of Anansi for my copy!

[Marc Bechtold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply personal, intense journey. The author makes herself incredibly vulnerable in retelling her path of growing up, unveiling the intergenerational trauma inflicted on the Indigenous population of Turtle Island. I can't count the amount of times I had to pause my reading and process all the stuff that was going on. It makes you reflect your own childhood as well and implicitly asks deeply personal questions. I have rarely been so touched by an author's unforgivingly authentic, vulnerable and emotional writing.

[Eva Blackhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books I've read this year, one of my new favorite native lit books. stunning gorgeous prose, incredible craft and construction. deep and raw content. funny, devastating, relatable, strikingly beautiful story. Chyana has an incredible talent and I can't say enough good things!

[Jadyn Rempel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balm and a wound all at once. So powerful, so beautiful, so painful and healing. I’ll carry this with me for a long time

[Ailin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous prose, heartbreaking story, and beautifully crafted. I love how each section was started with a related Cree word. I especially enjoyed when she followed drum making for a good portion. This book, because of much of its material, was difficult at times to read, but it really evaluated human connections we have with our family members, especially regarding trauma.

It was an honor to read this, and I found the Indigenous culture to seep through the pages and highlight an incredibly marginalized population. The author has something to say, and we should listen. Overall, a fantastic read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely stunning. Firstly, the writing was brilliant, and I truly loved how the author started each new heading with a Cree word and definition that related to the following passage. Also, the inclusion of indigenous story telling was perfect and reminded the reader of the rich culture that the author comes from. Honestly, the way that she was able to weave her culture with the story was so powerful. This wasn’t just a story of a dysfunctional family but also a story of strong and brave indigenous women.

The honesty that is written into this book at times had me cringing for the author, wondering to myself how she was able to be so open and honest, baring her soul, knowing that I would not be able to be as open with my deepest traumas. To say that she is brave doesn’t do her justice.

I hope to read much more of her work in the future.

#indigenousauthor
#indigenousauthorsofcanada

[Alexa Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book—everyone should read this. A sad story told in such a beautiful, healing way.

[Carling Tanno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to House of Anansi Press, Inc., Netgallery, and Chyana Marie Sage for an ARC of this memoir to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

Synopsis: Chyana Marie Sage's memoir is one unlike I have ever read before. Sage braids together equal parts cultural knowledge, poetry, and personal experience to construct this unique memoir. Chyana shares the heartache of growing up with her father, Frank, who was not only a drug dealer, but also sexually abused her older sister. In her memoir, she exposes some of her deepest pains and thoughts about this experience and relates it to the intergenerational traumas caused by colonialism, namely residential boarding schools. While Sage's story is one of intergenerational trauma, it is most importantly a testament to intergenerational strength, resilience, and courage.

Overall: Sage has a gift for writing that is evident from the very first page. What I loved most about this memoir is that it is raw and honest, yet hopeful. It is an honest look at healing and how that is never linear. And I appreciated the poetic component of this memoir; the structure is different from others that I have read but in the best way possible. I highlighted so many beautiful, poignant quotes that I cannot wait to go back to.

If you read one memoir this year, read SOFT AS BONES! This will be the book that I recommend for years and years to come.

Rating: 5/5

[Ada · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Soft as Bones is a memoir about a Cree/Métis woman coming of age in Canada. A tumultuous childhood leads to numbing her feelings until she must confront her past to save her future. At its core, it is a story of strength and perseverance.

It’s a great debut. She delves into the generational trauma of her family and how it was affecting her in the present. Her family’s relationship with her father is intense and I’d implore you to please read the trigger warnings for this book before reading.

There is such tenderness and resiliency in her relationship with her mother and sisters, yet there is so much underlying pain in the family. It’s heartbreaking, yet hopeful. In between her memories she tells folklore from her Cree and Métis ancestry of shapeshifters, tricksters, and protectors that connects to her own story in a haunting way. The combination of both elements in the book created a captivating read.

There were a few parts where I struggled with the flow and thought it would’ve been nice to have an audio version. You can tell she’s a natural born storyteller. I’ll be interested to see what she creates in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and House of Anansi Press for a gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received on Net Galley

This book is heartbreaking. I definitely cried several times. It is a tough read because it is so emotional. This memoir is beautifully written. It blends her story, the stories of her family, and indigenous tales. I liked how the tales were incorporated as reflections, parallels, and guidance.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been bugging me to not have a review for this—:

This book has very good writing which is the key to my heart, but what I think differentiates Soft as Bones is how Cree culture is its foundation. I annotated, “It [Soft as Bones] becomes a beautiful and painful meld of cultural stories and truth. Cree language guides the narrative, Cree stories take center stage in vignettes, then Sage’s memory, then larger recounting… it’s so potently beleaguered, but in this manner this memoir becomes inseparable from a history of people, a culture, which is the foundation of the individual.” All of that x10, and as some parts of Canada actively deny reconciliation and the horrors of residential schools it is such an apt read.

“The older I get, the more I want to remember, to juice the past. The more I remember, the more I will understand.”

^^ I feel this so potently. I want to know everything about why we are, and why things are the way things are.

Also, there was a very lasting account of a girl in a residential school that stuck with me, we aren’t given her name but there is an image of her painted by the book; a young girl in a green dress, who ran away frequently, and whenever she could from the residential school, all the children lauding her efforts—her spirits never daunted even when she was caught and forced back.

Reading that I truly felt the power of a story, that now because of a book so many of us will carry the story of this young girl, her defiance and resilience… her green dress.

4.5 stars rounded up ;)

[Bekah Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true example of breaking the pattern and intergenerational trauma that Indigenous people have suffered through. Well written and I really enjoyed the Indigenous stories woven throughout the book and how they related to the author’s experiences

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Sage’s memoir relates traditional stories of her Indigenous background to her own experiences shows how we inherit trauma, but also the ability to heal from anything. The book is raw, honest, and redemptive and is sure to help anyone gain tools to process grief.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of receiving an advanced copy of Soft as Bones, and from the very first page, I was captivated. Chyana Marie Sage shares her story with a rare blend of strength and vulnerability, crafting a memoir that is as beautifully artistic as it is profoundly moving.

Through poetic prose and raw honesty, Sage takes readers on a journey through pain and healing, brokenness and resilience. Her words are tender yet powerful, revealing the depth of her experiences with grace and courage.

This book is more than a memoir—it’s a testament to survival, transformation, and the delicate balance of softness and strength. I truly hope Soft as Bones reaches many readers who will see themselves reflected in its pages and find solace in her bravery.

[bookgoblinfrankie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so beautiful & I am so grateful to be in a place to appreciate all she’s gone through. Dealing with trauma is hard, especially when there’s a family history. Thank you Chyana for writing this.

[Amanda Poirier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wah! I loved this book. It hit deep. I connected to her story more than any book I think that I have read. I’m an Indigenous young woman in BC too and so it just meant a lot to me to read her story and her family’s.
The writing was beautiful! Every flowed so well and I loved her use of symbolism of the bones, and Indigenous legends.
I’m left feeling inspired to learn more about who I am and where I come from. I’m left feeling inspired to own my story no matter how it may be perceived. She makes me want to be more courageous.

[Alexandra Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was very healing; beautifully written, poetic while including Indigenous storytelling. 10/10 Would read again.

[Carissa Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sage’s memoir is so much more than just the story of the author’s life; through a brutally raw, honest examination of her own childhood and beautifully poetic reflection, we find out the traumatic details of Sage’s life growing up and how it impacted her family. While reading I felt as though Sage was next to me, telling me her story. There were many points throughout the book where I had to pause reading, take a moment to cry, and take a break but I kept coming back because as heavy as the book is, it’s also empowering and inspiring.

The most heartbreaking part is that her story is not unique. Missing, murdered indigenous women in Canada is a crisis largely being ignored. Sage’s memoir shines a light on the violence and how it can manifest generationally, noting that not everyone may be ready to share these stories, but they exist. A powerful, beautifully poetic memoir I’d definitely recommend. I received an ARC copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rajpreet · Rating 2 out of 5]

easy read but i don’t think this is anything new
the author falls victim to ocean vuong craze of always pursing a punchy line instead of letting the prose do the work
there are so many moments that you wanting more from a memoir, for a memoir - you don’t really connect with the authors inner life or world or even get to know her - in a sense, it is a trauma dump with punchy “what if” lines at the end of every chapter

[Miyosiwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft as Bones by Chyana Marie Sage is not just a memoir. It’s a reclamation. It’s a powerful, heart wrenching, and healing journey that moves far beyond the surface of personal trauma to reveal the interwoven threads of intergenerational pain, cultural survival, and Indigenous resilience.

I saw a masterful and deeply intentional weaving between Sage’s family experiences and indigenous history. Sage doesn’t “tack on” Indigenous history at the end.. she braids it through every chapter, through every memory, through the silence and the songs. The echoes of what was done to our people live inside the brokenness of families like hers, and she brings this truth forward with unflinching honesty and reverence.

This memoir was never meant to be a textbook on residential schools. It is a living, breathing expression of how those traumas have rippled through generations, affecting parenting, love, addiction, and the very way we see ourselves. Sage walks the reader through a harrowing but sacred process of reconnecting with culture, with self, with Spirit. Through her story, we witness the reclaiming of ceremony, of drum, of story, and of hope.

Yes, it is heavy. It is meant to be. Healing is heavy. But this book doesn’t leave you in the dark.. it walks with you into the light. It reminds us that we are not alone, that our stories matter, and that healing is not only possible.. it is revolutionary.

This book is a gift to the Indigenous community and to anyone seeking to understand the deep roots of generational pain and the medicine that emerges when we tell the truth. It holds us gently, even as it challenges us. It is soft, and it is strong…just like our bones.

[sydney | books + cats || thebookishcatmom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly a work of art.
The poetic prose really made you feel the effect of the story and the things that have affected our author.

I really enjoyed the writing style, and while this memoir is incredibly harrowing and moving, the elements of hope and happiness are there.

Some quotes I truly resonated with:

"She longed to be cradled, to feel the immense, unwavering,
unfaltering love of a mother."

"Ehkaskawanpestak is when it is drizzling rain, and it is only a matter of time before standing in the middle of the drizzle will eventually take its toll, each drop falling heavier and heavier until the weight of the ocean pours down."

"Her sadness is a symphony of frogs. In the daytime it's absent, but in the dewy grass under the stars it's the loudest thing you'll hear."

"One of the first things I saw in this world when I opened my eyes as a baby was her smile. Perfectly straight white diamonds decorated half her face. I was lucky because I was born with a best friend who was waiting for me"
^^ this was in reference to her older sister, and AS the other sister, I was sobbing.

[Korné Pot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, eye-opening journey told in poetic form

Soft as Bones isn’t just a poetry collection — it’s a deeply human story that invites you to see the world through the eyes of Indigenous people. Chyana Marie Sage writes with such clarity and heart that you can’t help but feel alongside her. I came away from this book with a much deeper understanding of the pain, resilience, and beauty in the Indigenous experience.

Despite the heavy themes, I finished the book feeling hopeful. The words carry both grief and grace — and ultimately, healing. What sets this book apart is that it reads like a lived narrative, not just scattered thoughts. It’s immersive, emotional, and incredibly well-written.

I’d gladly give this as a gift — not just because it’s beautifully crafted, but because it opens minds and softens hearts. A must-read for anyone seeking truth, empathy, and a richer view of the world.

[Célina Aït-Ouaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Powerful, Moving, and Vulnerable Journey

Chyana takes the reader through every phase of her life, courageously revealing traumatic experiences that shaped the person she is today. In doing so, she tells the truth on the horrific injustices Indigenous people have endured and continue to endure, highlighting the deep generational trauma that affects not only her, but Native communities as a whole.

By exposing her own life and her families, Chyana reveals how history often repeats itself, even after the most egregious acts against Native people are thought to be over. This book evokes a full spectrum of emotions. From happiness to grief, from anger to acceptance, and from sadness to love.

In the end, she leaves readers with a powerful truth that no matter where you start or what life throws at you, you have the power to change your fate. It’s an inspiring reminder that transformation begins with you. It is you and only you who can make a difference. It is truly inspirational.

[Amanda Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft as Bones is a beautifully raw and emotionally honest memoir of a young indigenous woman growing up in western Canada. Chyana Marie Sage writes with a clarity and vulnerability that felt like a mirror held up to parts of myself I didn’t know were still seeking validation. Chyana captures the weight of what is inherited and the quiet power in choosing to break cycles with gentleness, not just strength.

The bond she has with her sisters reminded me of the quiet glances, the shared language, and the unspoken loyalty that sisters often share. Chyana also explores the ache and confusion of personal relationships with an honest gaze— her words gave language to experiences I’ve carried but rarely voiced.

Above all, her story is about resiliency. Not the glossy, overused kind, but the kind that emerges in whispers— in finding poetry in pain, and in reclaiming your story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chyana Marie Sage is going to be a top selling author someday and I believe that will be sooner than later! Top notch writing! I couldn’t put it down, she tells a story of intergenerational trauma and healing, and it is ALL of our story, as a collective, for indigenous people who have survived so many avenues of genocide. Her story was heart rending and beautifully written. This is a story multiple generations of beautiful warrior women. Chyana's story is an amazing real life tale of a young girl in "the Hood" who makes her way to the hallways at Columbia University. I can't wait to read more from her in the future. Best wishes in all your endeavors Chyana!

[Ethan Caso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love memoirs and this book solidified that. The story is shocking, gruesome, but is brimming with hope and acceptance. The author talks about the process of indigenous people making a drum from scratch. In very many ways, this book is a metaphor for that. She takes something that has died and deconstructs it, rebuilds with new purpose. Honoring its journey nonetheless. Chyana takes the skin and bones of her deadly past and crafts this memoir. When reading this book I could hear the drum beat with every sentence, with this book she gave the cycle of our lives and even our deaths rhythm.

[Rachel Nazareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was extremely interesting and very sad.

To see the way these girls truly suffered shows how the 60s Scoop truly traumatized their father and then in turn it affected their lives too.

I wish more non-Indigenous Canadians would read these books so they could understand the fight that indigenous people have had to journey through.

An excellent memoir.