Stoney Creek Woman

by Bridget Moran

The captivating story of Mary John (who passed away in 2004), a pioneering Carrier Native whose life on the Stoney Creek reserve in central BC is a capsule history of First Nations life from a unique woman's perspective. A mother of twelve, Mary endured much tragedy and heartbreak the pangs of racism, poverty, and the deaths of six children but lived her life with extraordinary grace and courage. Years after her death, she continues to be a positive role model for Aboriginals across Canada. In 1997 she received the Order of Canada. This edition of Stoney Creek Woman, one of Arsenal's all-time bestsellers, includes a new preface by author Bridget Moran, and new photographs.

Shortlisted for the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize

Now in its 14th printing.

(arsenalpulp.com )

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[AndreaMGC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book I have to read for my Canadian Literature course on Residential Schools starting in the Fall (2015). The last, but definitely not the least, as the saying goes.
I really enjoyed the differing perspectives and narrative styles throughout the course of the reading material. Each has brought it's own unique style and take on a tragic and senseless part of Canadian history. What I liked most about Stoney Creek Woman was that only the beginning was really about Mary John's time in residential school. The rest of the story centers on the "what now" portion of Canadian history. What has changed in the years following her time there? What has changed for indigenous peoples? How has prejudice and racism affected their way of life? It focuses on a community's journey towards healing and recovery.
There was so much tragedy and hardship that Mary John and her community had to endure just to be heard, just to have a voice. Amidst that struggle is a beautiful overlay of hope for a better way of life.
I found myself torn between the feeling of guilt and shame for how the Carrier tribes were treated by white people and a sense of pride at how they persevered against all odds.
Stoney Creek Woman is a short, fast read but I left it feeling the weight and magnitude of all it represents. I thoroughly enjoyed this book (as much as it can be enjoyed considering the content) and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to know more on the impact of residential schools and the struggle for Indigenous peoples to reclaim their heritage.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for class but an excellent book.

[Becky Gagnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was insightful, and positive. I enjoyed every second of it.

[Jennifer Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goal for 2019 is to read 25 works by Canadian female authors. This is my third book, and the second time I’ve read it.

5/5, as this book is sentimental for me. I knew the author - Bridget and I were on the board of directors for our local community college. She didn’t want a service after she died, but her daughter encouraged her to plan one, and she arranged for all present to sing ‘Solidarity Forever.’ As a passionate unionist, I treasure this memory and might do the same thing.

I would have liked to have met Mary. I get the sense that she would have welcomed me with a cup of tea. She was very brave - a survivor of the 1918 flu, the residential school system, an arranged marriage, and the tragically early deaths of her parents and children. This book describes Mary’s childhood and married life, and the racism and dire poverty her people endured. She worked to change the system and preserve the Carrier language.

Up next: back to Margaret Atwood with “The Blind Assassin.”

[Renee Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that I have had on my TBR list for way too long. I finally sat down to read this story of Mary John so that I can understand the respect that our community has for her. while our community still has a long way to go, I hope that relations between our two communities continues to improve.

This is an important story that shows the unique challenges of our area, and the racism that is faced. But I found a lot of happiness and hope in this story.

My only disappointment is hat it took this long to read it.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent glimpse of the past and how the Vanderhoof/Prince George area used to be. It provided insight to the awful realities of colonization but also highlighted the strength and love within community.

[Camila Backstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to take a step back in time and learn more about some of the indigenous people of Canada. I enjoyed the voice of the narrator and of the people she was helping me to learn about.
Very eye-opening. I recommend it!

[0_0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is an essential read for any young person growing up in BC. specifically northern British Columbia. no matter their race. It's very difficult to understand someone's life if you haven't lived it, but books like these will always be the bridge to that gap.

[Caylee Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good things come in small packages. Very simple book, but powerful. I enjoyed it.
Was ready for my Aboriginal Studies class. It is about an Aboriginal Woman from Stoney Creek in Northern BC.

[Numberbox]

Part of book spine poetry given to mom for her 70th

[Denise Goodkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all Canadians

[Danielle Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

[Chastity Casimel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author did a good job of telling Mary's story I loved her and miss her Bannock ❤️

[Fiona O’Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and at times extremely painful to read! A great insight into an indigenous women! Loved it!

[Taya Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful recount of life as an indigenous woman, the story of Mary John was sad and eye opening, I wish people will read it more not just for school!

[Linda Galway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

[tamarack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and easy to read -- which was great, because I was terrified to find out this was only a *part* of my week's history readings! Brutal.

This autobiography-as-told-to is insightful and gave a good concrete herstory of the Carrier nation near Vanderhoof, BC. I am left with the impression that, in some ways, Mary John was one of the fortunates of this time: She was not killed by tuberculosis like so many in her village, she was "favoured" at the residential school she attended, and her family was loving and seemed unafflicted by alcoholism.

I recommend this book for a bit of Native history to anyone interested. My favourite parts were her descriptions of life in the campsite, and going by horse to their winter hunting grounds.

[Margaret]

I love stories of strong women who have worked hard to overcome unfortunate circumstances - I find them inspiring and this looks like it will fit that bill.

Interesting reading - really kind of a tough life basically living off the land. You can't help but admire the wonderful spirit of this woman.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, easy-to-read book about the life of a string Native woman in central BC from the 1950s-1980s. The first person accounts of racism then was very informative. I can't even imagine what it would feel like to be denied entrance to a cafe. It a good account of daily remote reservation survival.

[Catherine Kemp]

I found this book quite touching, it was full of emotion. It was an interesting look back on her life and the hardships she had to face. Even though she talked about many depressing things, the overall tone of the book was quite joyful. I just got the feeling Mary was a very sweet and optimistic woman. I also enjoyed how the stories weren't linear, rather they were grouped together by themes.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read this book for a history class, but have re-read it several times. A very interesting book about the life of Mary John, a Carrier native woman living in northern British Columbia.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a strong, beautiful, amazing woman. I don't think I can ever read enough of these books. Lovely!

[Mackenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it for school it was pretty good! i enjoy things more when its not for school though but im pretty sure everyone does

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was a bit sad. But definitely useful for my essay now!

[Marni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story about life as a First Nations woman in interior BC. She was born in 1913 and lived until 2004. She saw and experienced many changes and it is sobering as a privileged white person to read about her life.

[Claire Chun · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book for my Canadian history class. The story is narrated from the First Nations woman, Many Jones, in a very stoic voice. It has very little emotions or value judgments. It simply states what happened in a very objective way, considering the treatments and difficulties that she went through as an aboriginal woman. I think such neutral voice had an effect of creating emotions and a sense of injustice in the readers.