The Last Beothuk

by Gary Collins

Inspired by True Events

Long after Demasduit’s skull has been stolen from her grave, and years after Shanawdithit has died, one Beothuk and his family survive.

Bursting out of the pages of Newfoundland history appears Kop, the last true Beothuk.

When all the other members of his tribe are exterminated by the Europeans, Kop seeks revenge against the Unwanted Ones.

Hidden among the Bear Clan of the Mi’kmaq, the Beothuk strikes back.

Follow Kop on his trail of defiance against the European marauders upon his Island. See what becomes of a man who has nothing to lose or live for.

Stay with him on a hundred trails and sit with him across the smoke of a hundred campfires. You will not only weep for the last Beothuk—you will cheer him on as he pushes back against the Unwanted Ones.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Indigenous, Fiction, Canada

215 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2017

About the author

Gary Collins was born in Hare Bay, Bonavista North. He spent forty years in the logging and sawmilling business with his father, Theophilus, and son Clint. Gary was once Newfoundland's youngest fisheries guardian. He managed log drives down spring rivers for years, spent seven seasons driving tractor-trailers over ice roads and the Beaufort Sea of Canada's Western Arctic, and has been involved in the crab, lobster, and cod commercial fisheries. In 2016, he joined the Canadian Rangers.

Gary's writing career began when he was asked to write eulogies for deceased friends and family. Now a critically acclaimed author, he has written twelve books, including the children's illustrated book What Colour is the Ocean?, which he co-wrote with his granddaughter, Maggie Rose Parsons. That book won an Atlantic Book Award: The Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration. His book Mattie Mitchell: Newfoundland's Greatest Frontiersman has been adapted for film. His first novel, The Last Beothuk, won the inaugural NL Reads literary competition, administered by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Gary Collins is Newfoundland and Labrador's favourite storyteller, and today he is known all over the province as "the Story Man." His favourite pastimes are reading, writing, and playing guitar at his log cabin. He lives in Hare Bay, Newfoundland, with his wife, the former Rose Gill. They have three children and three grandchildren

Reviews

[Jim Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Beothuk has come to us, not only from the pages of history but from the brilliant mind of Mr. Collins, as he tells yet another forgotten story of Newfoundland. The record of relations between Europeans and any of Canada's Indigenous peoples is definitely not a pleasant one, so the reader may be left somewhat disheartened after finishing The Last Beothuk. Nevertheless, we can take eminent satisfaction in the certainty that the now extinct Beothuk people's story has been well-told by one of Canada's master storytellers.

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Growing up in Newfoundland, it’s hard not to know a fair bit about mamateeks and Shanawdithit and so on. The book feels more like a history refresher than an intriguing novel. The possibility of a Beothuk having a child with a Mi’kmaq is an inviting one, but I would have preferred a work of nonfiction about Santu, than this novel with flat characters and predictable events.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting historical fiction (more based on fact than I initially thought) and visualizing what it must have been like to be one of the last survivors of hunted race, completely with no rights or anyone defending you, losing everything you love and value; revives and expands the horror I feel at what actually happened to the Beothuk. All in the name of progress and economic gain. And some interesting perspective on the collaboration of the Micmaqs; they 'bent' but weren't broken, as the author puts it. However, the writing isn't very gripping, didn't care for the style. But worth reading!

[Carol SongofJoy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gary Collins falsified information o Santu Toney ; Kop was NEVER Beothuk nor lived with Beothuk First Nations Red INdian Lake . The family of KOP debunked FRANK SPECK and cleared it up , KOP FAMILY ARE A MIXED EUROPEAN & CHIPPEWA BUT ARE CLOSE FRIENDS WITH THE FNBFN FIRST NATION BEUTHUK FIRST NATION> THE MIAWPUKEK MIKMAQ CHIEF JOE IS NOT THE FAMILY OR GRANDSONS OF SANTU THE DAUGHTER OF KOP> THE WOMAN GARY COLLINS STATES IS FROM NORTH CAROLINA IS DEFAMATORY AND ISA CANADIAN CONFIRMED GRAND CHIEF OF THE FIRST NATION BEOTHUK FIRST NATION THE FIRST EVER PROVINCIAL FILED BEOTHUK FIRST NATION BYLAWS NONPROFIT AND WITH FTDNA AND 23&me evidence HAPLOGROUP MTDNA MATCHING DEMASDUIT OF THE FNBFN OF RED INDIAN LAKE. THE MIKMAQBAND CHIEF JOE TRAFFICKED THE STOLEN PROPERTY REMAINS OF THE PROVINCIAL FNBFN AND USED MASS MEDIA ETHNOGENOCIDE PROPAGANDA ON THE FNBFN. THIS BOOK GETS A NO STAR DUE TO THE DISINFORMATION AND SYSTEMIC RACIST ABUSES AGAINST FNBFN

[Tracy Willcott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the quiet trek through Newfoundland's woods and ponds, from winter to summer, with Kop and his family. I hope it's a true glimpse of what life may have been like for these people. I have never heard of the story of Santu, I want to learn more now. Saddened by the disregard for life, human and otherwise.

[Ida Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book. I was glad to journey with Kop through the vast wilderness of Newfoundland. I was saddened by the events of our not so pleasant history that destroyed a people. Thanks for writing this Gary. It is a wonderful portrayal of the Beothuk.

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel about one of Newfoundland's last Beothuks. Good yarn.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book about the Beothuk.

[Adele · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important story, but stodgy writing. I skimmed a lot of it.

[Jed Palmater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many historical and traditional embellishments. Coarse writing and choppy dialogue. A very white washed approximation of the last Beothuk.

[Debi Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read with lots of interesting facts and insight.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading before my TBR book since it is checked out from the library and on the #NLReads list for Feb. Good read very detailed daily life of Beothuk way of life.

[Jacqueline]

Heard about this book from the NLReads list on a Twitter post by NLPublicLibraries. Borrowed the book from our local library. Struggled with it a little at first because it was so wordy and descriptive but then became captivated by the story. Struggled a little again at the end but overall I did enjoy the book.