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Surviving the City #1
Surviving the City
Tasha Spillett’s graphic novel debut, Surviving the City, is a story about womanhood, friendship, colonialism, and the anguish of a missing loved one. Miikwan and Dez are best friends. Miikwan is Anishinaabe; Dez is Inninew. Together, the teens navigate the challenges of growing up in an urban landscape – they’re so close, they even completed their Berry Fast together. However, when Dez’s grandmother becomes too sick, Dez is told she can’t stay with her anymore. With the threat of a group home looming, Dez can’t bring herself to go home and disappears. Miikwan is devastated, and the wound of her missing mother resurfaces. Will Dez’s community find her before it’s too late? Will Miikwan be able to cope if they don’t?
56 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2019
16 people are currently reading
2140 people want to read
About the author
Tasha Spillett
4 books70 followersTASHA SPILLETT-SUMNER (she/her/hers) draws her strength from both her Nehiyaw and Trinidadian bloodlines. She is a celebrated educator, poet, and emerging scholar. Tasha is most heart-tied to contributing to community-led work that centres on land and water defence, and the protection of Indigenous women and girls. Tasha is currently working on her PhD in Education through the University of Saskatchewan, where she holds a Vanier Canada Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 405 reviews
November 10, 2022
I'm so glad that I read this. I've been looking for more comics/graphic novels written by indigenous authors featuring indigenous characters and this was perfect. I definitely need to get my hands on volume 2!
Surviving the City is a graphic novel that not only has beautiful art and representation, but it is also a graphic novel that covers an important issue that affects the indigenous community specifically women, girls, and two spirit people. The story follows two girls, Miikwan and Dez, as they navigate their time in school and in a community that doesn't respect indigenous people. When Dez finds out that she is potentially being removed from her home to foster care due to her grandmothers illness, she decided that she must run away. When Dez goes missing it reminds Miikwan of her only personal experience of having to deal with her mother that went missing. To be so short this graphic novel packs a punch. It only begins to illustrate the struggles that are faced by indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people and the of care that comes from non-indigenous communities. These two characters are in constant alert of their surroundings in ways that I think other women weren't in the book. There was always this lingering fear that someone was going to take them if they weren't careful.
I think that the message of this book was handled very well artistically. There was this clear delineation between ancestral spirits and dark figures that seem to accompany those that had dark purposes. It was interesting to see how both the author and artist communicated that while this specific indigenous community was being plagued by those that went missing or were murdered their ancestors were with them the entire way guiding their footsteps and supporting them in as many ways as they could. Honestly, I can't wait to get my hands on volume 2. I know that this particular volume explores one of the characters coming into their identity as two-spirited, but I'm curious on whether it will continue to touch on this topic. This was a great and interesting way to bring light to the missing girls, women, and two-spirited individuals of indigenous communities specifically in Canada. I highly recommend checking it out.
Surviving the City is a graphic novel that not only has beautiful art and representation, but it is also a graphic novel that covers an important issue that affects the indigenous community specifically women, girls, and two spirit people. The story follows two girls, Miikwan and Dez, as they navigate their time in school and in a community that doesn't respect indigenous people. When Dez finds out that she is potentially being removed from her home to foster care due to her grandmothers illness, she decided that she must run away. When Dez goes missing it reminds Miikwan of her only personal experience of having to deal with her mother that went missing. To be so short this graphic novel packs a punch. It only begins to illustrate the struggles that are faced by indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people and the of care that comes from non-indigenous communities. These two characters are in constant alert of their surroundings in ways that I think other women weren't in the book. There was always this lingering fear that someone was going to take them if they weren't careful.
I think that the message of this book was handled very well artistically. There was this clear delineation between ancestral spirits and dark figures that seem to accompany those that had dark purposes. It was interesting to see how both the author and artist communicated that while this specific indigenous community was being plagued by those that went missing or were murdered their ancestors were with them the entire way guiding their footsteps and supporting them in as many ways as they could. Honestly, I can't wait to get my hands on volume 2. I know that this particular volume explores one of the characters coming into their identity as two-spirited, but I'm curious on whether it will continue to touch on this topic. This was a great and interesting way to bring light to the missing girls, women, and two-spirited individuals of indigenous communities specifically in Canada. I highly recommend checking it out.
August 15, 2019
There are several crises going on in the world right now, of course, all of which demand your immediate attention, but this is one you really have to know more about if you don’t already. An alarming number of indigenous women and girls are disappearing (presumably murdered) in Canada and the U.S in the last few years. Yes, people are murdered and disappear every day, but the rates are shocking. And many who seem to be targets are from the queer community.
This Wikipedia article will get you up to speed:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing...
This report is relevant, from Canada:
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
This is a paragraph that may function as an executive summary:
The (Canadian) National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two-volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.
So, Tasha Spillett (Nehiyaw and Trinidadian) and Natasha Donovan (Metis) write a short first volume about teens Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew). When Dez’s grandmother gets sick she is going to be turned over to foster care, which she does not want to do, so she is for a time on the streets, in a large city, where many girls disappear. I like that each First Nations person is accompanied by the spirit of their missing one, while some predatory-hovering whites have their own scarier spirit following them.
3 stars for the slight, just beginning story--though all the cultural refs/language are rich; some of them are just unexplained--and the art is inviting, but I bump it up to 4 to encourage people to read it and about the ongoing crisis. It reminded me just a bit of 2666 by Roberto Bolano about the nineties killing of many women near the Mexican-U.S. border.
This Wikipedia article will get you up to speed:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing...
This report is relevant, from Canada:
https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
This is a paragraph that may function as an executive summary:
The (Canadian) National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two-volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.
So, Tasha Spillett (Nehiyaw and Trinidadian) and Natasha Donovan (Metis) write a short first volume about teens Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew). When Dez’s grandmother gets sick she is going to be turned over to foster care, which she does not want to do, so she is for a time on the streets, in a large city, where many girls disappear. I like that each First Nations person is accompanied by the spirit of their missing one, while some predatory-hovering whites have their own scarier spirit following them.
3 stars for the slight, just beginning story--though all the cultural refs/language are rich; some of them are just unexplained--and the art is inviting, but I bump it up to 4 to encourage people to read it and about the ongoing crisis. It reminded me just a bit of 2666 by Roberto Bolano about the nineties killing of many women near the Mexican-U.S. border.
April 30, 2019
Surviving the City is a graphic novel that follows Dez and Miikwan, two teen friends who live in Winnipeg. Dez is facing being placed in a group home because her grandmother is becoming too ill to care for her any longer. Miikwan's mother is one of the many missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada.
I really liked the way this story showed the girls just living life -- going to school, hitting up the mall, working on a class project -- but still highlights some of the common plights faced by Indigenous peoples (especially the young and women) in Canada. I found myself wishing, though, that there was a bit more detail provided about some of the ceremonies discussed in the story.
At the back of the book, there's a great section with lots of facts and info about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in Canada. I would have loved to see some similar information about the problem of over-representation of Indigenous children in the foster care system.
Overall, though, this is a good story to begin introducing to people who are unaware. It's just a first stepping stone, though, since this story barely scratches the surface.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Portage & Main Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
I really liked the way this story showed the girls just living life -- going to school, hitting up the mall, working on a class project -- but still highlights some of the common plights faced by Indigenous peoples (especially the young and women) in Canada. I found myself wishing, though, that there was a bit more detail provided about some of the ceremonies discussed in the story.
At the back of the book, there's a great section with lots of facts and info about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People in Canada. I would have loved to see some similar information about the problem of over-representation of Indigenous children in the foster care system.
Overall, though, this is a good story to begin introducing to people who are unaware. It's just a first stepping stone, though, since this story barely scratches the surface.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Portage & Main Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
October 6, 2020
This is a story that just barely begins to talk about the alarming number of indigenous women and gender non-conforming folx disappearing (presumably murdered) in Canada and the U.S. The rates are shocking, and many of the targets seem to be from the queer community - which is something this story seems to maybe hint at or wink to.
This is a relevant report from Canada - https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
"The (Canadian) National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two-volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country."
This is a short story about Miikwan and Dez - two teen girls who are very close and important to one another. Dez's grandmother falls ill and because of it, Dez may be taken away from her grandmother and her home and be put into foster care. Fearing that, she runs away for a time - living on the streets - where the danger of girls disappearing is greatest.
I really loved the depiction of spirits in this story and the contrast of the ones accompanied by the First Nation people and the ones accompanied by white people. I think this is a very important story that needs to have wider coverage and more education on.
This is a relevant report from Canada - https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/final-report/
"The (Canadian) National Inquiry’s Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada’s staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two-volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country."
This is a short story about Miikwan and Dez - two teen girls who are very close and important to one another. Dez's grandmother falls ill and because of it, Dez may be taken away from her grandmother and her home and be put into foster care. Fearing that, she runs away for a time - living on the streets - where the danger of girls disappearing is greatest.
I really loved the depiction of spirits in this story and the contrast of the ones accompanied by the First Nation people and the ones accompanied by white people. I think this is a very important story that needs to have wider coverage and more education on.
July 4, 2019
An important attempt to draw attention to the missing and murdered Indigenous women epidemic in Canada.
The writing has some shortcomings, leaving things like berry fasts and smudging unexplained for ignorant readers like myself, ending in an abrupt and muddled manner, and having an afterword that may have been more useful as an introduction. Mostly, at 54 pages it just felt too short to do the subject justice.
What I did find effective was the presence of the spirits of female ancestors providing unseen support to the teenage girls at the center fo the story and the personification of the male gaze and sexual harassment as tall grey aliens looming behind the men who watch and approach the girls.
And in the end, it did cause me to google a bunch of stuff tonight, so my curiosity has been piqued and my awareness has been raised some.
The writing has some shortcomings, leaving things like berry fasts and smudging unexplained for ignorant readers like myself, ending in an abrupt and muddled manner, and having an afterword that may have been more useful as an introduction. Mostly, at 54 pages it just felt too short to do the subject justice.
What I did find effective was the presence of the spirits of female ancestors providing unseen support to the teenage girls at the center fo the story and the personification of the male gaze and sexual harassment as tall grey aliens looming behind the men who watch and approach the girls.
And in the end, it did cause me to google a bunch of stuff tonight, so my curiosity has been piqued and my awareness has been raised some.
November 13, 2018
According to the RCMP, ten percent of women in Canada who have been missing for at least 30 days are Indigenous.
Indigenous women are five times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women.
So, this graphic novel, about two indigenous girls, who live in the city, is very sad, and very true. Surviving in the city is hard when you are a target.
I love how the spirits of the dead hang around the indigenous peoples, but the white people have an alien spirit that hangs around them. Very to the point.
This is not an easy story to read. But it is also true that this is still happening, right now, and far too many girls and women have been lost to not make a point that we have to care for each other.
And the resource center, mentioned in the book Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. is real (http://www.kanikanichihk.ca/), so this is also a good source for girls and women reading this to know there is a safe space for them.
There is so much going on, that is background for this story, but anyone can read this, and know what is happening, and be aware.
Highly recommended for school, libraries and personal libraries.
Thanks to Netgalley and Highwater Press for making this book available for an honest review.
Indigenous women are five times more likely to be murdered than non-Indigenous women.
So, this graphic novel, about two indigenous girls, who live in the city, is very sad, and very true. Surviving in the city is hard when you are a target.
I love how the spirits of the dead hang around the indigenous peoples, but the white people have an alien spirit that hangs around them. Very to the point.
This is not an easy story to read. But it is also true that this is still happening, right now, and far too many girls and women have been lost to not make a point that we have to care for each other.
And the resource center, mentioned in the book Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. is real (http://www.kanikanichihk.ca/), so this is also a good source for girls and women reading this to know there is a safe space for them.
There is so much going on, that is background for this story, but anyone can read this, and know what is happening, and be aware.
Highly recommended for school, libraries and personal libraries.
Thanks to Netgalley and Highwater Press for making this book available for an honest review.
July 9, 2019
"Nice" Canada has a long history of abuse and murder of its indigenous peoples. And it's not in the past; there are countless, current examples, including the many First Nations women who have disappeared and are murdered every year.
This story follows two young women over a few days. Miikwan's mother is dead, Dez lives with her kokum (grandmother), her only family. Dez is scared because her kokum is ill and Dez could be separated from her. The two young women are very close, and over the course of the day in this story, we see them harassed on the street, concerned about police, watchful over each other, and grieving for missing family.
I liked the artwork, and how this story is told from the girls' perspectives, so we feel their fear and grief. And the connections and support jbetween all the women in this story. Also, I like that each First Nations individual is followed by the spirit of their missing one(s), while the whites have a rather frightening, alien-like spirit following them, which wonderfully captures the still antagonistic and difficult situation between First Nations and whites.
This story follows two young women over a few days. Miikwan's mother is dead, Dez lives with her kokum (grandmother), her only family. Dez is scared because her kokum is ill and Dez could be separated from her. The two young women are very close, and over the course of the day in this story, we see them harassed on the street, concerned about police, watchful over each other, and grieving for missing family.
I liked the artwork, and how this story is told from the girls' perspectives, so we feel their fear and grief. And the connections and support jbetween all the women in this story. Also, I like that each First Nations individual is followed by the spirit of their missing one(s), while the whites have a rather frightening, alien-like spirit following them, which wonderfully captures the still antagonistic and difficult situation between First Nations and whites.
November 4, 2020
This is a short yet important read. Highly recommended as the book can be seen as an introduction to the issue that happens in Canada.
February 27, 2020
Welcome Back!
This has been such a crazy week. One day I have a super bad migraine and can not sleep for the life of me because of how bad my head hurts. The next I have like eight loads of laundry to do and tons of stuff for work and I am somehow behind on my Youtube watch list by like 700 videos (that is seriously not an exaggeration my watch later list is sitting at 700 as of last night and I am not okay with that). The good news is, is that the weekend is almost here and I can relax and spend time reading and catching up on said watch list along with all the other shows and movies I want to watch right now. (Can not wait to see Onward in like a week)!! One of the titles I read this past week was Surviving the City, I was in the mood for a graphic novel, I had Hoopla loans (this sounds like a dangerous combination) and those Hoopla loans expire at the end of the month, so I felt like I needed to pick out something to read. Without knowing anything about this graphic novel I picked it out (totally based on the cover which is a very me thing to do) and read it!
SPOILERS AHEAD
This is the story of two best friends trying to survive their city life. Dez and Miikwan are the best of friends! They have done everything together including the berry fast, however, they have some new challenges on the horizon. Dez's grandmother is becoming too ill to care for her any longer and she may be placed in a group home. At the same time, Miikwan's mother is missing, she is one of the ingenious women murdered or missing in Canada.
I already admitted that I checked this graphic novel out of Hoopla with no idea what the plot was about. So at first, I was a little lost, but I quickly caught up to what was going on. It was definitely an interesting story, once I understood what was happening. I had no idea about some of the things they talked about in the story and it sparked a lot of Googling and learning for me (which is great). I am giving this four stars on Goodreads. I do not know if I will check out the next one (if there is a next one) but we will see!
This has been such a crazy week. One day I have a super bad migraine and can not sleep for the life of me because of how bad my head hurts. The next I have like eight loads of laundry to do and tons of stuff for work and I am somehow behind on my Youtube watch list by like 700 videos (that is seriously not an exaggeration my watch later list is sitting at 700 as of last night and I am not okay with that). The good news is, is that the weekend is almost here and I can relax and spend time reading and catching up on said watch list along with all the other shows and movies I want to watch right now. (Can not wait to see Onward in like a week)!! One of the titles I read this past week was Surviving the City, I was in the mood for a graphic novel, I had Hoopla loans (this sounds like a dangerous combination) and those Hoopla loans expire at the end of the month, so I felt like I needed to pick out something to read. Without knowing anything about this graphic novel I picked it out (totally based on the cover which is a very me thing to do) and read it!
SPOILERS AHEAD
This is the story of two best friends trying to survive their city life. Dez and Miikwan are the best of friends! They have done everything together including the berry fast, however, they have some new challenges on the horizon. Dez's grandmother is becoming too ill to care for her any longer and she may be placed in a group home. At the same time, Miikwan's mother is missing, she is one of the ingenious women murdered or missing in Canada.
I already admitted that I checked this graphic novel out of Hoopla with no idea what the plot was about. So at first, I was a little lost, but I quickly caught up to what was going on. It was definitely an interesting story, once I understood what was happening. I had no idea about some of the things they talked about in the story and it sparked a lot of Googling and learning for me (which is great). I am giving this four stars on Goodreads. I do not know if I will check out the next one (if there is a next one) but we will see!
January 31, 2020
American Indian Youth Literature Award - 2020 Young Adult Honor. This slim graphic story addresses the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. I look forward to continuing the series.
August 10, 2020
Book blurb: a story about womanhood, friendship, colonialism, and the anguish of a missing loved one.
I appreciated that the authors want to raise awareness of the missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, but there is simply no way that this slim graphic novel could adequately explore what the blurb promises.
I liked the illustration style - especially how the female spirit ancestors hover protectively around the young girls, and how predatory men are depicted. This is for a YA audience, but there simply isn't enough depth or background given for those unaware of these issues.
I appreciated that the authors want to raise awareness of the missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada, but there is simply no way that this slim graphic novel could adequately explore what the blurb promises.
I liked the illustration style - especially how the female spirit ancestors hover protectively around the young girls, and how predatory men are depicted. This is for a YA audience, but there simply isn't enough depth or background given for those unaware of these issues.
January 8, 2020
Realistic story about the inequitable challenges facing Indigenous youth in North America today.
When one best friend disappears, the one left behind finds herself faced with the realities of missing Indigenous people.
I love the provenance of this book, the ownvoices ness. Glad for the representation, specifically in the GN medium. Keep making more!
When one best friend disappears, the one left behind finds herself faced with the realities of missing Indigenous people.
I love the provenance of this book, the ownvoices ness. Glad for the representation, specifically in the GN medium. Keep making more!
July 29, 2020
I was very moved by this graphic novel about two indigenous teen girls. The story itself is very slight - I could tell it to you in one sentence. But the way that both the girls' ancestors, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the windingo/demons compelling men to violence was portrayed through imagery was very powerful.
I also really liked that some indigenous customs (smudging, berry fast ceremony) were referenced but not really explained. It made these customs seem integral to the characters and not expository.
My only quibble is that I wanted more. More of these characters, more story. Looks like a second volume is forthcoming this fall.
I also really liked that some indigenous customs (smudging, berry fast ceremony) were referenced but not really explained. It made these customs seem integral to the characters and not expository.
My only quibble is that I wanted more. More of these characters, more story. Looks like a second volume is forthcoming this fall.
March 24, 2024
The pages become more vibrant and colorful when the focus is on Indigenous culture, and I think that's beautiful.
A little rant (not about the book):
99% of goodreads reviews are people saying that the writing had shortcomings because it didn’t explain every Indigenous related thing to them and they didn’t know what was happening. If you don’t know something, just look it up. The author literally gives you THREE pages with resources at the end of the graphic novel.
White people centering themselves and expecting everything to cater to them is a fucking poison.
A little rant (not about the book):
99% of goodreads reviews are people saying that the writing had shortcomings because it didn’t explain every Indigenous related thing to them and they didn’t know what was happening. If you don’t know something, just look it up. The author literally gives you THREE pages with resources at the end of the graphic novel.
White people centering themselves and expecting everything to cater to them is a fucking poison.
January 25, 2021
This was a short but poignant tale about the fears faced by North American indigenous peoples and it explores how easily people can go missing when you belong to a marginalized race.
June 18, 2022
I liked the story line. This was a good first volume to a series.
December 19, 2023
This is a short but powerful graphic novel about two young First Nations women in Canada who face the perils of being Indigenous in the city together.
Best friends at school, Miikwan is Anishinaabe, while Dez is Inninew. The two high schoolers bond is so tight that they completed a berry fast together, which is a rite of womanhood in their tribes. Despite their close friendship, they have each faced great trauma in their lives. Miikwan’s mother is missing and presumed dead, while Dez lives with her elderly grandmother who is facing health problems, and social services are planning on moving her into foster care.
Dez briefly runs away as Miikwan gets involved in a protest to bring attention to the crisis of stolen sisters. What makes this story especially poignant is the effective use of showing dead Native women as spirits surrounding their loved ones and dark alien-type creatures besides men who wish these women harm. While the girls could not see these unearthly creatures, the readers could, and it ramped up the tension as you desperately hoped the girls would avoid the evil that seemed to be near them often on the city streets.
The artwork was well done, showcasing the diversity of Indigenous tribes, and spotlighting that not all tribe members live on reservations. The color palate was in warm earthen tones, and the panels flowed well on the pages, with some lovely imagery. As I stated above, the unseen presence surrounding the girls elevated the story and drew you into their world. It also clearly showed the pride and connection they each felt about their cultural heritage, which was a direct message from the author and illustrator, who both have Native ancestry.
An afterward explained some information about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and gave some excellent statistics and further reading suggestions. I do wish this afterward had included even more information. While I have some knowledge of berry fasts and two-spirit people, I really don’t think many people outside the Indigenous community will be familiar with these terms. Some explanation within the preceding narrative text, or in the afterward should have been added. For two other well-done graphic novels about other aspects of modern Indigenous life, read The Outside Circle and Roughneck.
I applaud this book for the awareness it brings to the plight of Indigenous women and the families they leave behind. Please do further research on the dangers they face, for this situation is also present in the United States, and needs to be acknowledged.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2019/07/0...
Best friends at school, Miikwan is Anishinaabe, while Dez is Inninew. The two high schoolers bond is so tight that they completed a berry fast together, which is a rite of womanhood in their tribes. Despite their close friendship, they have each faced great trauma in their lives. Miikwan’s mother is missing and presumed dead, while Dez lives with her elderly grandmother who is facing health problems, and social services are planning on moving her into foster care.
Dez briefly runs away as Miikwan gets involved in a protest to bring attention to the crisis of stolen sisters. What makes this story especially poignant is the effective use of showing dead Native women as spirits surrounding their loved ones and dark alien-type creatures besides men who wish these women harm. While the girls could not see these unearthly creatures, the readers could, and it ramped up the tension as you desperately hoped the girls would avoid the evil that seemed to be near them often on the city streets.
The artwork was well done, showcasing the diversity of Indigenous tribes, and spotlighting that not all tribe members live on reservations. The color palate was in warm earthen tones, and the panels flowed well on the pages, with some lovely imagery. As I stated above, the unseen presence surrounding the girls elevated the story and drew you into their world. It also clearly showed the pride and connection they each felt about their cultural heritage, which was a direct message from the author and illustrator, who both have Native ancestry.
An afterward explained some information about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and gave some excellent statistics and further reading suggestions. I do wish this afterward had included even more information. While I have some knowledge of berry fasts and two-spirit people, I really don’t think many people outside the Indigenous community will be familiar with these terms. Some explanation within the preceding narrative text, or in the afterward should have been added. For two other well-done graphic novels about other aspects of modern Indigenous life, read The Outside Circle and Roughneck.
I applaud this book for the awareness it brings to the plight of Indigenous women and the families they leave behind. Please do further research on the dangers they face, for this situation is also present in the United States, and needs to be acknowledged.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://graphicnovelty2.com/2019/07/0...
January 23, 2021
Tasha Spillet writes with the kind of raw voice that indigenous girls deserve to hear. Surviving the City takes the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit, and she brings that to life in a story that doesn't just focus MMIWG2.
I think what I really admire about Surviving the City is that Spillet is able to tell the story of two girls, Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew), just being girls while living in a world that just can't handle indigenous girls getting to enjoy their lives and their culture. Miikwan and Dez are living their lives, while also dealing with a sick grandmother, a missing mother, and the looming fear of not being allowed to live at home due to government interference. Miikwan and Dez are trying to do the things they love, while also having to deal with the racist misogyny that all indigenous women have to face.
Surviving the City is a painful read, but it's also incredibly uplifting and touching at times. I think this is why it struck me the way it did. I never felt like Miikwan and Dez were the vehicles for a story they were barely a part of. They were incredible characters who felt like the real people who deal with these issues, largely in part because the story isn't just about their issues. It is also about their love for each other and their families and their cultures.
The art here is absolutely lovely, and it did a lot to make this story feel more real to me. The background scenery is lovely, but I especially love the design of Miikwan and Dez.
I definitely recommend this one. The story highlights real issues that everyone should know about, without entirely being about those issues. This is evocative and touching. The extra information included at the end is vital for anyone looking for the stats that lead to the creation of stories like this one. I'll be watching out for more work from both Tasha Spillet and Natasha Donovan in the future.
I think what I really admire about Surviving the City is that Spillet is able to tell the story of two girls, Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew), just being girls while living in a world that just can't handle indigenous girls getting to enjoy their lives and their culture. Miikwan and Dez are living their lives, while also dealing with a sick grandmother, a missing mother, and the looming fear of not being allowed to live at home due to government interference. Miikwan and Dez are trying to do the things they love, while also having to deal with the racist misogyny that all indigenous women have to face.
Surviving the City is a painful read, but it's also incredibly uplifting and touching at times. I think this is why it struck me the way it did. I never felt like Miikwan and Dez were the vehicles for a story they were barely a part of. They were incredible characters who felt like the real people who deal with these issues, largely in part because the story isn't just about their issues. It is also about their love for each other and their families and their cultures.
The art here is absolutely lovely, and it did a lot to make this story feel more real to me. The background scenery is lovely, but I especially love the design of Miikwan and Dez.
I definitely recommend this one. The story highlights real issues that everyone should know about, without entirely being about those issues. This is evocative and touching. The extra information included at the end is vital for anyone looking for the stats that lead to the creation of stories like this one. I'll be watching out for more work from both Tasha Spillet and Natasha Donovan in the future.
December 12, 2022
TW; murder, kidnapping, violence against women
Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett is a short yet important read about family and Indigenous women. This graphic novel deals with the subject of how prevalent it is for Indigenous women to go missing but this focuses primarily on the Canadian aspect of this topic. According to an article on Katie Couric's website, these women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or to go missing than any other demographic. Tying in the 2021 Wyoming murder case of Gabby Petito, only 18 percent of Indigenous female homicide victims are reported on compared to the 51% of white men and women victims.
On a positive note, this graphic novel was super easy to get through and the art style is super, super unique and I will be checking out the next volumes of this graphic novel.
Surviving the City by Tasha Spillett is a short yet important read about family and Indigenous women. This graphic novel deals with the subject of how prevalent it is for Indigenous women to go missing but this focuses primarily on the Canadian aspect of this topic. According to an article on Katie Couric's website, these women and girls are 12 times more likely to be murdered or to go missing than any other demographic. Tying in the 2021 Wyoming murder case of Gabby Petito, only 18 percent of Indigenous female homicide victims are reported on compared to the 51% of white men and women victims.
On a positive note, this graphic novel was super easy to get through and the art style is super, super unique and I will be checking out the next volumes of this graphic novel.
July 21, 2022
4.25.
This was an impactful graphic novel about very important topics. You are introduced to the main characters Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew) who are both best friends. Dez’s grandmother falls ill and Dez is told she’s not able to live at home with her anymore and the threat of having to live in a group home is looming. Dez, overwhelmed, runs away and goes missing and Miikwan is desperate to find her.
I found the story to be quite emotional and impactful. The illustration style is very beautiful and the writing is well done. It is a fairly quick read but I think it’s an important story that includes a dialogue on missing and murdered indigenous women.
Content Warnings: racism, kidnapping, grief, death of parent, genocide, xenophobia, medical content.
This was an impactful graphic novel about very important topics. You are introduced to the main characters Miikwan (Anishinaabe) and Dez (Inninew) who are both best friends. Dez’s grandmother falls ill and Dez is told she’s not able to live at home with her anymore and the threat of having to live in a group home is looming. Dez, overwhelmed, runs away and goes missing and Miikwan is desperate to find her.
I found the story to be quite emotional and impactful. The illustration style is very beautiful and the writing is well done. It is a fairly quick read but I think it’s an important story that includes a dialogue on missing and murdered indigenous women.
Content Warnings: racism, kidnapping, grief, death of parent, genocide, xenophobia, medical content.
January 1, 2021
i really wish this would've been longer :(
i would've easily read 200pgs of this story. it moved a bit too fast for me and i wish there'd been more development and time to get to know the characters, but overall, it's very impactful and worth the read, shining a light on such a prominent issue that is often pushed to the side: the killings and disapperances of indigenous women and two-spirited people in canada. plus, the art was v pretty and really suited the story, there was something really calming and subtle about it <3
i would've easily read 200pgs of this story. it moved a bit too fast for me and i wish there'd been more development and time to get to know the characters, but overall, it's very impactful and worth the read, shining a light on such a prominent issue that is often pushed to the side: the killings and disapperances of indigenous women and two-spirited people in canada. plus, the art was v pretty and really suited the story, there was something really calming and subtle about it <3
October 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this short and sweet graphic novel. Wish it was a bit longer though.
Conclusion: Beautiful artwork and smooth plot line. Would recommend.
Conclusion: Beautiful artwork and smooth plot line. Would recommend.
December 4, 2019
This Canadian (YA) graphic novel deals with a pair of school friends - girls in HS - who are dealing with the stress and horror of missing women in the First Nations community, including knowing females who have gone missing. The book can be read as an instructional tale for young women to be extremely careful since there are perils all over - strangers who wish to take advantage of Native American girls etc.
One of the friends disappears momentarily, because of stress at home, which leads to her friend thinking she is the latest "stolen sister." To say more would be giving away the story.
I thought the art work was simple and effective, as well as the text. This is a rather sad GN since it deals with a horrible reality of First Nations and Native American life, that of disappearing young women - killed, trafficked etc. It highlights aspects of Native American culture/life - dances, and customs - which are treated respectfully, as part of a cohesive nurturing community. Set against the community is the looming danger of group homes for Indian children - which are likened to Canadian residential schools of the past, when the Canadian government would remove children from Indian families so they could be sent away and educated at residential schools, and therein be inculcated according to "mainstream" ideas, losing their Native languages, customs, religion, and traditions. The tragic legacy of the European in Canada with respect to the Indians seeps through every page.
One of the friends disappears momentarily, because of stress at home, which leads to her friend thinking she is the latest "stolen sister." To say more would be giving away the story.
I thought the art work was simple and effective, as well as the text. This is a rather sad GN since it deals with a horrible reality of First Nations and Native American life, that of disappearing young women - killed, trafficked etc. It highlights aspects of Native American culture/life - dances, and customs - which are treated respectfully, as part of a cohesive nurturing community. Set against the community is the looming danger of group homes for Indian children - which are likened to Canadian residential schools of the past, when the Canadian government would remove children from Indian families so they could be sent away and educated at residential schools, and therein be inculcated according to "mainstream" ideas, losing their Native languages, customs, religion, and traditions. The tragic legacy of the European in Canada with respect to the Indians seeps through every page.
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July 16, 2022Very short graphic novel (read on Hoopla), and it looks like there’s a part two. It’s in an urban setting, and I suppose it could be anywhere, but it makes me think of what I’ve heard about happening in Canada. It’s about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S). The statistics in the back of this book are alarming - and the fact that “several major police forces do not track missing Indigenous women” skews the statistics - that say Indigenous women are almost three times as likely to be killed by a stranger than non-Indigenous women. !!! An important book.
October 18, 2020
This was a great graphic novel. Cute, soft art style. The story covers a few different issues in a way that would appeal to first time learners. Would fit well in classroom settings, friendship centres, libraries, and Indigenous and settler households as a tool for learning and positive representation.
Trigger warnings for: caregiver illness, kids getting moved into foster care, mention + depiction of kids being taken to residential school, references to MMIWG2S, implied attempted child abduction.
Trigger warnings for: caregiver illness, kids getting moved into foster care, mention + depiction of kids being taken to residential school, references to MMIWG2S, implied attempted child abduction.
November 22, 2020
Surviving the City is an excellent middle grade graphic novel, by Tasha Spillett and Natasha Donovan, centered around young Indigenous teen best friends Miikwan, who is Anishinaabe, and Dez, who is Inninew. Dez is stressed over her grandmother’s deteriorating health and the possibility the social services might move her into foster care. Miikwan is grieving over the loss of her mother, who is one of the many MMIW (Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Women).
The story brilliantly highlights this tragic issue by having characters shadowed by the blue ghostly presences of the missing, while people succumbing to their inner wickedness (bullying, theft, toxic masculinity) cast shadows that look like hollow eyed creatures from Dr. Who. The art is fantastic and the story really brings out the beautifully strong friendship between the girls, the strong ties of the Indigenous community, and the frustrations and dangers of urban living.
When Dez runs away to avoid foster care, Miikwan is worried she’s lost another loved one. Dez ends up with a mentor and a support system and she and Miikwan are reunited at a powerful march for No More Stolen Sisters.
I highly recommend this graphic novel!
The story brilliantly highlights this tragic issue by having characters shadowed by the blue ghostly presences of the missing, while people succumbing to their inner wickedness (bullying, theft, toxic masculinity) cast shadows that look like hollow eyed creatures from Dr. Who. The art is fantastic and the story really brings out the beautifully strong friendship between the girls, the strong ties of the Indigenous community, and the frustrations and dangers of urban living.
When Dez runs away to avoid foster care, Miikwan is worried she’s lost another loved one. Dez ends up with a mentor and a support system and she and Miikwan are reunited at a powerful march for No More Stolen Sisters.
I highly recommend this graphic novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2019
3.5 stars - I loved the connection between the two main characters and think it did a great job of making you feel the scariness and realness of the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. I felt it was a bit short and choppy though. I am hoping future instalments will flush everything out because there is a lot of goodness here.
August 3, 2020
This was so beautiful. The illustrations were amazing and the story made me cry. It was full of emotion and grief. It shows the struggles of Indigenous people, specifically women, and how common it is for them to go missing.
It's also important that we read diversely to inform ourselves on other cultures and this is a great graphic novel if you want to get a glimpse of Indigenous cultures as well as their struggles.
It's also important that we read diversely to inform ourselves on other cultures and this is a great graphic novel if you want to get a glimpse of Indigenous cultures as well as their struggles.
November 5, 2020
Really short but having deep meaning 😭😭
Aku ga tau kalau di Canada prateknya masih ada diskriminasi terhadap penduduk asli 😭😭 why human can be so cruel each other. Referensi bacaan di akhir buku nya menarik, akan mencari untuk future reading.
Aku ga tau kalau di Canada prateknya masih ada diskriminasi terhadap penduduk asli 😭😭 why human can be so cruel each other. Referensi bacaan di akhir buku nya menarik, akan mencari untuk future reading.
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