Firewater: How Alcohol Is Killing My People

by Harold R. Johnson

A passionate call to action, Firewater examines alcohol─its history, the myths surrounding it, and its devasting impact on Indigenous people. Drawing on his years of experience as a Crown Prosecutor in Treaty 6 territory, Harold Johnson challenges readers to change the story we tell ourselves about the drink that goes by many names─booze, hooch, spirits, sauce, and the evocative "firewater." Confronting the harmful stereotype of the "lazy, drunken Indian," and rejecting medical, social and psychological explanations of the roots of alcoholism, Johnson cries out for solutions, not diagnoses, and shows how alcoholism continues to kill so many. Provocative, irreverent, and keenly aware of the power of stories, Firewater calls for people to make decisions about their communities and their lives on their own terms.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, History, Canada, Politics, Social Justice, Addiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2016

About the author

Born and raised in Northern Saskatchewan, Harold Johnson has a Master of Law degree from Harvard University. He has served in the Canadian Navy, and worked in mining and logging. Johnson is the author of five novels and one work of non-fiction, which are largely set in northern Saskatchewan against a background of traditional Cree mythology. The Cast Stone (2011) won the Saskatchewan Book Award for Fiction.

Johnson practiced law as a Crown Prosecutor in La Ronge, Saskatchewan, and balanced that with operating his family's traditional trap line using a dog team.

Johnson died in early February, 2022.

Reviews

[Loretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. My rating doesn't really reflect what I think of as the importance of this - I think it is important, and I think many people, and frankly, especially white people, should read it. I have some disagreements and quibbles with some fairly over-generalized conclusions - in particular, for example "alcoholics aren't a big problem in society - they're too busy looking for their next drink. The problem is mostly binge drinkers". Well....there are some ways and contexts in which that might be true (first year university, for instance) - but mostly - no. That is a vast oversimplification.

Where this book really struck me is how it compared the way "society" views an aboriginal person drinking (lazy, criminal, alcoholic) vs a white person drinking (regular, routine, normal, what's wrong with wine at dinner? it's wine o'clock). It was a very interesting experience to be reading this at the same time I was listening to the audiobook of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. Through a different lens, Dowsett makes the same point that Johnson does: the way our society treats and markets alcohol as a social good masks a serious social problem - a problem that manifests in different ways (or that is perceived in different ways) depending on who's doing the drinking and who's doing the judging.

Both books were very thought provoking and worth reading.

[George Ilsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, timely and thought-provoking. Relevant to everyone who is concerned with lives steered, consumed, and ruined by alcohol. Johnson's message is the "story" we are told or adopt, about alcohol and everything else. Keep this in mind the next time you watch a movie where alcohol is used for celebration, or reached for when things go wrong! We are fed "news" stories about craft breweries or wineries, and given seasonal cocktail recipes. The marketing is subtle and relentless. We are constantly told drinking is an indispensable part of life.

Johnson recommends people celebrate sobriety instead. People who are sober are really the silent majority.

As an example of a story, Johnson gives us statistics that show the rate of sobriety on First Nations reserves is slightly higher than in the general population in Canada— yet, how many people know that?

Unfortunately, this author died in February, 2022.

[Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by an Indigenous lawyer writer for Indigenous people. I am an Indigenous person who is from the same area Johnson is. I am also a lawyer. So I guess this book is for me but I often felt alienated from his vision. Johnson goes through various ways of thinking about the alcohol problem and presents the pros and cons. All concepts are presented as being "story". If we want to change the alcohol story, we need to make a new story. Johnson essentially makes the case for Indigenous people to choose alcohol abstinence and highlights two success stories of people who have made this choice.

Alcohol has directly affected both sides of my family in a negative way. I felt the book had some basic good advice for people to consider. Johnson encourages Indigenous people who live sober lives to be more vocal about their healthy life choices. He also presents to the reader why Indigenous should be looking for leaders who model a sober and healthy lives. Satisfaction with good leaders is mirrored in a better and healthier community.

As an Indigenous person who was deprived of my cultural traditions growing-up, some of Johnson's comments "rubbed" me the wrong way. For example, he presents traditional ideas on mourning, that grieving takes place intensely for a year and then you let go, lest the spirit of your loved become stuck on earth because you can't let go. I respect this tradition and belief. However I don't see much of myself here. I also think the tradition he envisions isn't that far off from Western Edwardian mourning traditions. I'm a city Indigenous vegetarian basically removed from cultural traditions. Yet, I'm still very much an Indigenous person and I matter. This book didn't make me feel like I am part of the stories he is telling, so I see this as a shortcoming since this book is supposed to be for me.

I feel Johnson over-simplifies some of his stories about addictions and Western (cousin's) traditions. For example, science has only ever been taught to me as being theory based. Johnson presents science as a definite story "cousin" says is presented as true, which hasn't been my experience at all. I would agree that Indigenous people have been treated as if their beliefs and traditions don't matter in the face of cousin's traditions however.

IJohnson asks "do we drink because we're poor or are we poor because we drink?" I would say both things can happen at once and both things can be further twisted by pervasive inequality which is real and not just a separate "victim story". There are rich and successful non-Indigenous drunks who aren't stigmatized the same way Indigenous people are. The legal profession is notorious for alcoholism, which Johnson witnesses in this book. So it's somewhat simplistic to imply that we're poor because we drink, when many non-Indigenous are able to live rich and successful lives while being drunks and druggies concurrently.

To sum up, while this book was written by one of my own people for me, I wish I had seen more of myself in it. I think this book has some good advice but does tend to over-simplify, in my opinion. I wish there had been more statistics used and I wish footnotes had been included at the bottom of each page, instead of the back. I agree with him that Indigenous people who live sober lives should be louder about their success stories. I believe in the power of "story" but also that many stories can happen at once. Stories can overlap and bleed into one another and thus skipping over that part of the story, won't make it disappear.

[abby ventura mezan · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We can decide which story we want to be in and tell it to ourselves. The only limit on our ability to choose our own story is the story into which we are born. We have all been raised within a particular story.
When we recognize it as story, it loses its power.”


"Firewater" is one of my favorite reads of the year (so far). Although I would say the book was not written for me, it was able to show me a very real aspect of life that I had previously not given much thought to. It was thought-provoking and able to make me question the stories in my own life as well as the impact of alcohol as a whole. When a book is able to make you take a step back and evaluate certain aspects of life - whatever they may be - you have something very special in your hands.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important read about how alcoholism is killing Indigenous peoples in Canada, however, I would say this affects every Indigenous nation dealing with alcohol in their own respective communities, everywhere. Alcohol is an insidious and toxic substance that although legal, advertised and celebrated, brings about the destruction of so many people and families, regardless of race, ethnicity, and culture. It is the silent killer that most people don't care to talk about nor admit has such a powerful hold on so many.

[Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, insightful and inspiring. The book did an excellent job of explaining how the current situation came to be and how the outside perception of the Indian (Mr. Johnson's word) has become a self-fulfilling view causing them to lose sight of their strengths. And finally, it talked about the responsibility and ownership we all have to take on in terms of creating our own story and vision of the best we can be. We can't expect others to do it for us and if this message can be received by enough people things have to get better.

The Indian (Mr. Johnson's word) sense of community and respect for the land is something we could all learn from and perhaps leverage into an ability to change our collective story for a better future.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I commend the author, Harold Johnson for bringing forward the truth about alcohol, the history of it's introduction to Indigenous people in Canada and the long lasting damage it has created. His wisdom, experiences, and "his story", initiates further positive action and hope that there will be a future where alcohol is not at the heart of every tragedy. Through this action, Indigenous people can gain back their rightful claim to their traditions, culture and freedoms in a healthy and deserved manner without interference from alcohol. All Canadians would benefit from reading this insightful and meaningful book. Our entire society stands to benefit from bringing this issue to the front where it belongs. Placing this book in all high school ciriculums would be an asset! 4/5 stars

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked the concept of “changing the story,” and his Sober House idea. There were a lot of interesting (yet grim) messages that I think needed to be spelled out. This book and others like it are so important.

But I think I would have rated this higher if I had felt more satisfied. There are a lot of guesses on statistics - some stats he was looking for couldn’t be obtained, so he guessed the number. I think the message gets across without the “statistic,” and I found myself wondering how accurate his guess was, taking me away from his point.

Still, these were thought-provoking messages on how much alcohol affects the lives of Indigenous people, and the world as a whole.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps this book deserves a higher rating than 3.5 that I am willing to give it. It is a quick read about the devastating impact alcohol has on indigenous people and how it continues to kill at an unthinkable high rate in their communities. The book is written in frank terms and plain english; but it falls short on facts supported by statistics.

[Kaylin Nolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book. Important information presented through a compelling narrative. A relatively short read that doesn't come off preachy or overly accusatory.
As a white person working in a First Nation community, this book gave me some serious perspective while also making me reevaluate my own relationship with alcohol.
It is mostly anecdotal and based on personal experience/personal communications, and while I can very much appreciate that, it is a singular perspective.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alcohol is the story.

Let's make a different story.

"We are not destined for greatness by ourselves... All of humanity has the message, so it's humanity that is destined for greatness".

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am lowering the stars for this book from a 4 > 3.

I love reading Canadian historical books, especially those from minority groups generally and Indigenous groups, specifically.

Harold Johnson's text is less a history lesson and more a treatise on the history of alcohol and indigenous peoples. He states that his book is written as a plea TO his indigenous brothers and sisters with the white cousins as an afterthought. Kind of like, "Hey, if they read it, it applies to them too, but this is for US."

I would have rated this book much higher if it were not for the lack of statistics and display of fact. Johnson EXPLAINS this, however; explains WHY he was unable to get hard numerical evidence: 1) it doesn't exist and 2) it doesn't exist because people are UNWILLING to create it for whatever reason.
Additionally (my second argument "display of fact"), having come from an academic background, I find it very hard to be convinced by overly emotional language. Johnson's arguments are logical and sound, but too emotional for me, making it too painful and biased. I found myself thinking, "if there is a general reader who doesn't have the historical knowledge, personal or familial experience, then how would they feel about this text? They would disregard what is being said and argued for by using "the white story" (that Johnson alludes to) surrounding alcohol.

A text such as this is a revolutionary one in its subject matter. It may open up many more doors for research surrounding this subject. However, because of the lack of empirical evidence in this specific text it may not be as successful in making a large impact.

(I also just have to say this too, so I am sorry: Next, if someone is a conspiracy nut--like me--alcohol is one that placates and mollifies the masses, which is why it is so abundant. A good example of this is actually within Johnson's text when he explains the traders using alcohol as a tool for influencing the trade with FN peoples. Without it, who knows where we would be, and how society would change. I wish I could express that reddit argument of Brave New World vs 1984... entirely relevant here. http://imgur.com/r/politics/vRBtL)

[Mia]

I'll refrain from rating this title because I feel like firstly, it wasn't written for me as a non-Canadian and non-Indiginous person, and secondly, most importantly, I have had a limited contact with literature on this particular topic to give any legitimate criticism beyond my vague impressions.

I'm very happy to have read this book and appreciate the author's approach if mixing hard data and storytelling as a way of analysing the issue (the author approaches alcohol as a story people tell to themselves, in the context of many other stories). I think his most valuable insight comes from his experience in law, which has given him a perspective on the flaws of the court system when it comes to solving alcohol-related crime. However, on other topics the discourse felt a bit simplistic, as if there could have been more context added, and at times it felt like the author was too invested in his own solutions to the issue.

[Wendell Hennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harold Johnson debunks the belief that Indigenous people cannot handle alcohol citing studies that show that over 30% of do not consume alcohol whatsoever, a much higher percentage than colonials. He continues to define the high cost of alcohol in terms of lives, disease, litigation and policing costs. On reserves, alcohol related incidents consume over 75% of RCMP attention. He at the same time makes a case for stories becoming belief when in fact they are only stories. A well presented book but unfortunately no easy answer exists to the curse and cost of alcohol on Canadian society.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book... how alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse are figured in very culturally specific ways, and how the stories we tell ourselves about drinking, decorum, manners, and social status are all highly contingent on who we are, what communities we belong to, and what sorts of things are apparently, and literally at stake.

[Bay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson writes in a way that is simple to understand, yet well researched to the very best of his ability (the back of this book has pages of citations). I read this over the course of a few weeks and something that really has stuck with me is his comments on the white crown prosecutors/lawyers/judges who fly into communities: these individuals spend a significant amount of time telling indigenous people not to drink, and yet on the airplane on the way back home these same individuals will immediately indulge in an alcoholic beverage. It makes me think of my own actions as someone who works with vulnerable indigenous people struggling with addiction.

Johnson writes for his community in Saskatchewan, but anyone can take something from this book. He implores people (especially leaders) in indigenous communities to live a sober life in order to be a positive example to those around them. Specifically he says on page 116 “to solve alcohol we need sober leaders” and also on page 34 “by drinking, we participate in our own colonization” which is one powerful statement! Johnson does not believe in the conventional models of acknowledging why indigenous people may be alcoholics, but instead says on page 45 that he believes that addiction should be treated “like an injury” and that similar to physiotherapy, the more you use a muscle in a good way. the better it gets (he is comparing this to living a sober life- the more you do it, the better it gets). It’s clear Johnson wants to empower his brethren to heal.




I kept notes while I read this book, I will paste them here:


-Starting on page 15, there are some of the earliest written accounts-written by white settlers-of their experiences with “Indians” drinking and what falls from that.

Page 68 talks about the real costs of alcohol- how much the province makes off of the taxing of alcohol vs how much in emergency care.

Chapter 12 talks about how alcohol is the single greatest “employer” to the authors community.

P. 127 he says “censorship will not do” (with regards to the advertising of alcohol) and instead encourages dialogue around sober living and the dangers of alcohol.

P. 128 “there are more people in the aboriginal population who are completely abstinent [in terms of alcohol] than in the general population”. 35% is the figure given!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about alcoholism in Indigenous communities (Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan, Canada in particular). I recall from my youth being told that Metis culture was about alcoholism which is something that I have contemplated for most of my adult life. I am a witness to the devastating impacts of alcoholism on individuals, communities and families.

There were interesting facts throughout the book such as "there are more people in the Aboriginal population who are completely abstinent than in the general [Canadian] population. Studies have shown that there are twice as many Aboriginal people who do not drink at all, compared with the rest of Canada. A recent study found that 35 per cent of Aboriginal people do not drink at all."

The author states that it seems we either drink hard or not at all. Many of the completely sober are people who have returned to Native spirituality, to what has been referred to as the "Red Road."

I especially liked the structure of the book which interweaves history, Indigegogy and letters from Indigenous authors - Tracey Lindberg and Richard Van Camp.

Definitely a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

[Jessica B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the author’s writing style - it was delightful and many of the more story-based sections were really compelling. That being said, the author makes quite a few giant leaps of logic, unsupported by research or data, that I just was not convinced by. The data he does cite often seems poorly interpreted, either by him or the original researchers. For example, that murder rates go up in the States when the president is unpopular, and down when he is popular, which is supposed to show the importance of leadership. This reminds me of the website Spurious Correlations, with examples like per capita consumption of cheese correlating to number of people dying by strangulation by their own bedsheets. In other words, correlation does not equal causation. Unfortunately, I think this book relied too heavily on correlation, confusing it with causation.

I think his message was really powerful, and there were lots of parts of this book that I did really like, but the reliance on estimation and anecdotal statistics really weakened his whole thesis, in my opinion, and rendered it far less convincing than it might have otherwise been.

[Sarah Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read by Harold Johnson and I loved this one as well although it was quite different from Clifford. Here, Johnson is sharing a lot of thoughts on alcohol. Most of the book is directly aimed at his people, but it’s still an illuminating for others read if you’ve ever felt uneasy about alcohol. Johnson has had his own experiences with alcohol, two of his brothers were killed by drunk drivers, and he served as a crown prosecutor for many years. So he speaks about alcohol and it’s effects from a uniquely broad viewpoint, having kind of a panoramic view of how alcohol operates in human lives and communities. He urges his people to re-tell their own story about themselves, and to talk about sobriety. He asks the question of what could his people and community do if they could unburden themselves of alcohol. He implies the question for the broader humanity. And it made me really wonder, could sobriety be the thing that helps people wake up?
Johnson has a really nice, mellow, non-judgemental voice and he makes everything seem easy for a little bit so some hope can grow.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson claims that alcohol is destroying Indigenous people. He asks indigenous a non-indigenous readers to look closely at what stories they have around their use of alcohol. He focusses on the historical stories connecting indigenous people to alcohol abuse and calls for these stories to be changed.
He acknowledges that it isn’t going to be easy, and that it will require substantial changes to economic reality to be successful. He asserts that leaders in the community must maintain sobriety. He claims that they must model different stories for youth to emulate.

This quote has stuck with me.
"The economy is a powerful story. We give human sacrifice to it. There are people in poor countries who must starve to death because the economy story says that even though we have too much food in this part of the world, if we gave any to them, we would destroy the economy. We used to believe in dragons and unicorns. Now we believe in market forces. The economy doesn't exist. It's something we made up, and we give it power."

[Bee (Meribiaa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were some repeated segments that I recognized from "The Power of Story" which makes me think the author wanted to expand on some of those ideas here, but wanted to keep his focus on the topic at hand.

An eye opening read and one that challenges the commonly held beliefs around alcohol and how people and communities address those that struggle with overconsuming it. Current paradigms around treatment or "fixing the problem" are inadequate and have shown to be ineffective over decades/centuries of alcohol use, and Johnson challenges communities to try new methods so people and communities can end the cycle of harm that alcohol produces.

I'm not a heavy drinker by any means--I tend to drink once every few months--but I found it challenging my own ideas about how I and others use alcohol and what I'm trying to get out of the experience of drinking.

Johnson also makes note that of any group, Indigenous people have the largest proportion of people that drink no alcohol at all, and that returning to Indigenous spirituality has contributed to this.

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firewater is one of those rare books that changes the way you see the world. The book was not written for me; Harold Johnson prefaces the book stating that he wrote it for his people, the Woodland Cree of Treaty 6 territory. But I have a theory that the more specific your story, the more universal it becomes, and that seems to be the case with Firewater. Alcohol has wide-ranging effects in society, and the problems Johnson describe are evident in almost all communities, so no matter who you are, his words have impact. Plus, the author is incredibly wise, with insights and ideas that will open your mind to new ways of thinking. If your life has been affected by alcohol, you should read this book. And if you think your life hasn't been affected by alcohol, you should read this book. What you find here might surprise you.

[Barbara Brydges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnson addresses his own people in this book, but there is much wisdom for all of us. His main point is that indigenous people have to face the truth about the damage alcohol is doing to them, individually and collectively. And then they must tell themselves a different story: that alcohol never was part of their story in pre-colonial days and does not have to be now. But his book also made this ‘kiciwamanawak’ think about the stories that we newcomers tell ourselves, not just about indigenous people but our own belief systems. As Johnson writes, “..few Canadians think about where their wealth comes from: most believe that it comes from something magical called ‘the economy...the economy is a powerful story. We give human sacrifice to it...We used to believe in dragons and unicorns. Now we believe in market forces.”

[Don Phillipson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewers have not yet remarked on the core paradox, that the original treaty with Johnson's tribal group (Woodlands Cree, Treaty No. 6, 1876) on the Indian negotiators' insistence banned alcohol ('firewater') from Indian reserves: but 20th century jurists deleted this clause (notably in the Drybones case in 1967) as an infringement on constitutional guarantees of personal liberty, as deliberately revised in the 1960s.
At the same time, simple prohibition of alcohol would not achieve Johnson's purpose, because other drugs (cocaine, methamphetamines and opioids) have by now in the 21st century saturated all Canada, big cities and remote reserves alike.

[Kat Kezon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harold Johnson introduces readers to new ways of thinking - not simply about alcohol, but on the justice system, personal identity, cultural trauma, and the economy. He encourages readers to embrace new ways on how to think and allows you a take it or leave it approach on *what* to think. I loved his deep dive into different frameworks - “The Four Models” chapter - on looking at the alcohol crisis within the Indigenous Community and his call to action at the most micro level on the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves. Earns 5 stars from me - despite any difference in opinion - and should be required reading in Social Work, Sociology, and Political Science curriculums.

[Vontel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, with a story-telling language level that can be understood by most, about a complex social issue, along with an excellent bibliography for more extensive searches. Although it is geared toward the Indigenous population, and especially the Treaty 6 group, Johnson's narrative and approach to solutions has much to offer the non-indigenous population to reduce the considerable health, family and social costs which we all face as a country.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thought-provoking book from Harold Johnson.

I appreciate his message about the destructive effects of alcohol, and how society has managed to normalize and even promote “the alcohol story”. He also uses his background knowledge as a Crown prosecutor to explain what isn’t working when it comes to alcohol-related crimes, and he offers some practical alternative suggestions for how to promote change.

I also found the personal accounts at the end of the book to be very inspirational.

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Harold Johnson speak at When Words Collide-- a very powerful talk that I am still thinking about weeks later--but was unable to attend his presentation so I decided to read his book. This book is framed as a conversation. It is respectful and not strident and important. I wish more people would read it.

[Jan McClelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written. It's a hard topic to discuss openly and Johnson knows it, but it does not stop him from saying what needs to be said in plain language that everyone can understand. This man has a way with words. I am drawn in by the lyrical rhythm, my heart breaking for the people at the same time.