My Indian Summer

by Joseph Kakwinokanasum

Winner - PMC  Indigenous Literature Award 2023

Three kohkums, a man named Crow, two best friends, and a drug dealer . . . twelve-year-old Hunter may be getting out of Red Rock sooner than he hoped.


For Hunter Frank, the summer of ’79 begins with his mother returning home only to collect the last two months’ welfare cheques, leaving her three “fucking half-breeds” to fend for themselves. When his older sister escapes their northern BC town and his brother goes to fight forest fires, Hunter is on his own, with occasional care coming from a trio of elders—his kohkums—and companionship from his two best friends.


It’s been a good summer for the young entrepreneur, but the cash in the purple Crown Royal bag hidden in his mattress still isn’t enough to fund his escape from his monstrous mother and the town of Red Rock. As the Labour Day weekend arrives, so does a new friend with old wisdom and a business opportunity that might be just a boy at the crossroads needs. My Indian Summer is the story of a journey to understanding that some villains are also victims, and that while reconciliation may not be possible, survival is.

Fall 2022 Young Adult Selection - Top Canlit for the Classroom

Genres: Indigenous, Fiction, Canada, Historical Fiction

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2022

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the story begins, Margarette—mother of two sons and a daughter—runs off with her kids when she sees an official-looking vehicle pulling up to her sister’s house. “No more white men taking our children away,” she says. “They will have to kill me first.”

In an interview with The Tyee the author stated the book was loosely based on his own childhood, growing up in Northern Saskatchewan. In summing it up he said this: “It’s a fiction about a kid who has to navigate life with a single parent damaged by the Indian Act.”

Running off with her kids was pretty much the last good thing she did for them. Once settled, she drowned her sorrows in alcohol and became a falling-down-drunk, gone for days, weeks, even months on end, leaving the kids with empty cupboards, an empty fridge, and no money in the house. They had to fend for themselves—even Hunter, at the tender age of 12. And what an incredible, eye-opening story he shared. It’s hard to believe it was the author’s first book. But no spoilers here. I recommend you check it out. It so poignantly tells a heartbreaking tale of what many Indigenous families experience. It's a tremendous story about a desperate situation.

And then it was over, but I continued on to “About the Author”, though I wish I had not. They fell without warning, as I read that first sentence through eyes distorted by tears: “Joseph Kakwinokanasum is a member of the James Smith Cree Nation.” Canadians might understand why that sentence hit me hard. Though most of us had never heard of the James Smith Cree Nation until six months ago, now we might never forget. On 4th September 2022, 11 people were killed and 18 injured in a mass stabbing at the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan. It was the deadliest stabbing spree in Canadian history, carried out by one of the First Nation's members. Kakwinokanasum’s novel, My Indian Summer, was published less than 4 weeks later, on 27 September.

5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Melody Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

STORYTELLER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Joseph Kakwinokanasum I can say without reservation is a storyteller extraordinaire. He shows us life through the eyes of a 12-year old indigenous boy named Hunter. The unforgiving winters of British Columbia's Peace region pale in comparison to the wrath of his Mother Margarette. We travel with him through the trials, tribulations, lesson and triumphs of his 12th summer. I mourned for him and all the generations impacted by colonialism and the residential school system. This is not a "good" read it is a GREAT one. I can only hope this is the first of many from this author.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a lot, even though the subject matter was often quite bleak. This is a beautiful, if tragic, exploration of community, culture, and intergenerational trauma. I've seldom read a book with characters who felt so real.

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up.
VPL 2024 indigenous storyteller book read.
I am being the odd one out for my rating of this book, as everyone seems to love the writing. I was not a fan of the name of the main characters being repeated every 2 lines or so. Troy woke up. Troy sat down. Troy took a shower. Troy dried his hair.
The unbelievably cruel mom angle did not do it for me either as she had NO redeeming qualities. I don’t care what happened to you as a child, you don’t get to torture and neglect your child. And don’t get me started on the brother.
I hate stories where the main character has NO ONE on their side.

[Madeline Singh]

“Money is a white man’s concept”

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut novel

[Arwyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this beautifully written book in a few days. The story is perfectly executed and kept me riveted. I’m exhausted though, from the emotional neglect and physical abuse. My own son is the age of the protagonist and my heart broke with it all. Generational trauma is a powerful force and I waffled between empathy and rage as the toxic relationship between this boy and his mother enfolded. I just wanted to hold Hunter and give him the love he, and every child, deserves. It’s emotionally difficult to read fiction that is rooted in the truth of Indigenous lived experience and it’s important that we do it. I believe that our nation can only heal when we all understand the depth of generational trauma that residential schools inflicted on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. So, it’s hard on my heart but I continue to read so that I can fully understand. To help heal my heart, I lean into the teachings and guidance of the Kohkums, and so today as I walked, I sampled the bounty of this land, the saskatoons, the salmon berries, and the thimble berries. Thank you Creator for these gifts that nourish us and remind us that we have a new chance to blossom and thrive with each new summer.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have ADHD. Just finished this book. I can't take the time I should to let my buzzing brain grow quiet enough to really do it justice. It is an exceptional read. I feel fortunate and grateful to the Vancouver Public Library for bringing it to my attention. Add this one to your must read list.

It rang true on so many notes. Is it well written? Most definitely. How do you write a story that is compelling, but takes the time needed to lyrically deliver the emotion needed to feel everything we are compelled to see? This book is a great how to example

How do you explain the sordid details of Canada's horrific treatment of indigenous people? By weaving a beautiful tapestry which artfully compels us to face it's truth, while at the same time pointing to the resiliency of those that survived it. It is a call for justice, a plea for compassion, an IOU for an unpaid debt.

At least we can say, we taken the first few steps on the long journey needed to achieve an understanding of how big a debt we owe. I am hoping that result will compel us heal the wounds we've caused and acknowledge the resulting scars.

[Patricia Sandberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Indian Summer grabs your attention from the moment you open the first page. The uplifting, turmoiled, loving and terrifying life of 12-year-old Hunter Frank will never leave you. It is fiction, based loosely on the author’s childhood, but every word rings with authenticity. Your heart soars with and fears for Hunter as he faces the challenges of life as an Indigenous boy in a small northern BC. Author Joseph Kakwinokanasum is a master of nuanced characters and heart pounding storytelling. Recently selected as one of the Writers Trust of Canada’s “Rising Stars,” he is definitely a writer to watch.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

This memoir written into fiction builds the characters with a slow and subtle strength.. with what I read as a theme of time: Some characters find signs of time (Jacob), some feel the time (Crow), and the main character confuses the reader with the story's times (not time line, more like the time of day and night, felt so confusing like Hunter likely felt much of the time).
I would recommend this book for anyone. And especially for anyone who thinks indigenous people should just get over it. This novel truly shows you intergenerational trauma.

[Arron Redford · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was difficult for me to follow the characters in the story and to keep track of who they were. It was also hard for me to get through all of the detailed description of buying and selling pot. I didn’t like how it was presented as a viable solution to the problem of Hunter getting away from home life. Still give it 5 stars because the feelings and the experiences were very real and relatable. Also because I loved and was encouraged by this insight into a culture that was truly a community that relied on helping one another. An example that we can all learn from.

[HelenJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, rather fun time with 3 young boys, while one tries to navigate his life with his neglectful and abusive mother and a horrible brother. Big Sister has left in desperation and Hunter tries every way possible to make and save the money he needs to also escape this misery.
The boys get themselves into some minor jams, until a really big one 'finds' them.
Good first novel. Look forward to some more.

[Hazel Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grated on me. I had to finish it, but I didn’t enjoy reading it, but I felt like I had to. The content is hard, it’s dark, the characters have a hard time, and it is repetitive. That said, this is what the book seemed to be going for - it transported me successfully to a different time and place, and that was interesting. And the characters were well written, consistent, and I cared for them by the end and wanted Hunter to have the best possible life. It helped me see Canada in a different light, through different eyes, and I am grateful for that.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a lot of realism in this story, so much so that I found it very anxiety-provoking - focusing on a 12-year-old kid who often doesn't get enough to eat, suffers emotional abuse from his mother and siblings, and has a close call dealing with a predatory and violent drug dealer. A snapshot of a summer in the life of an indigenous kid in a small town in northern BC.

[Robin Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel is gritty and powerful. The impact of residential schools and family trauma are revealed through the main character Hunter in a way that changes the reader. Masterfully written. I am looking forward to more.

[LVarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of attending a book group with the author and 5 other people through the Vancouver Public Library. This is a book both beautifully written and incredibly important in the understanding of the ongoing Indigenous experience.

[Debi Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kind of book you try to put down because you are afraid of what is going to happen to the characters but pick it up again to find out what happened. This is an excellent read. Thought-provoking and very well-written/

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a bookclub.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Very evocative of time and place, plus a story you can’t put down. I’ll be watching for the next one.

[Jacob Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kakwinokanasum with a fantastic debut. He created such a vivid sense of time and place. Enjoyed every page.

[Teresa Mills-Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Donna Lubbelinkhof · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of the profanities throughout the book. Especially when much of it was children.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough one to read

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Diana Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The time frame of this book is exactly when I was a teenager, leaving home, so it resonated with me in that way. The characters are so believable and you are rooting for them. Well written.

[Doris Corcese · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I fall in love with a character, I’m all in. And that’s exactly what happened when I read Joseph Kakwinokanasum’s debut novel, My Indian Summer, which is loosely based on the writer’s own early life. This is a beautifully written book, crafted with elements of tenderness and harsh reality, one that addresses themes of poverty, neglect, racism, and family violence, and shows us the hunger, desperation, resilience and determination of 12-year-old Hunter Frank, who learns to skillfully tiptoe around his vicious single mother and cruel older brother. Sadly, his mother Margarette’s traumatic experience in residential school is believed to be the fuel for her rage and alcoholism, though Hunter isn't aware of this at first. Regardless, his plan is to save enough money to escape the small town of Red Rock and join his sister in the city. Fortunately, he finds allies in three protective kokhums, his buddies Jacob and Eric, and a man named Crow. With exquisite and lyrical detail, the author describes Hunter’s internal world, and the natural world of northern British Columbia, and takes us on an adventure, one that kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the cinematic scenes and the authentic ring of conversations between Hunter and his friends, which were perfectly peppered with boyish humour and antics. There is definitely a “Stand by Me” quality to this story. Plus, I always have a soft spot for a protagonist who is humbly unaware of his own goodness.

[Lydia Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept waiting for something more to happen. I liked the storytelling and the fact that it was told from a child’s point of view because it felt nostalgic, but I finished the book feeling like it was missing something.