Cree Narrative Memory: From Treaties to Contemporary Times

by Neal McLeod

Neal McLeod examines the history of the nêhiyawak (Cree People) of western Canada from the massive upheavals of the 1870s and the reserve period to the vibrant cultural and political rebirth of contemporary times. Central to the text are the narratives of McLeod's family, which give first hand examples of the tenacity and resiliency of the human spirit while providing a rubric for reinterpreting the history of Indigenous people, drawing on Cree worldviews and Cree narrative structures.

In a readable style augmented with extensive use of the Cree language throughout, McLeod draws heavily on original research, the methodology of which could serve as a template for those doing similar work. While the book is based on the Cree experience of the Canadian prairies, its message and methodology are applicable to all Indigenous societies.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Indigenous, Canada, Education, Anthropology

144 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2007

About the author

Neal McLeod holds a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies, and currently teaches Indigenous Studies at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. In addition to being a visual artist and entertainer, he has published a book of poetry, Songs to Kill a Wihtikow, and has another forthcoming entitled Gabriel's Beach. He is Cree and Swedish, and was born and raised in Saskatchewan.

Reviews

[Dasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

In just 100 pages McLeod does an excellent job of showing the validity of Indigenous oral narratives and tradition, particularly in how they resist and challenge colonialism and provide a way for indigenous people to reconnect and heal from the effects of colonization.

[Leanne Simpson]

brilliant.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book definitely changed how I see the world.

The only reason I didn't give this five stars was because women were rarely mentioned outside of vague allusions to elders. Early on, the author mentions how many women were erased from history as far as record keeping goes, but as the book progressed I found their absence particularly eerie. To the point where male spiritual figures, such as Elder Brother (often wrongfully referred to as "Trickster") were mentioned while women or non-binary figures just...weren't.

That said, I walked away more informed, which is usually my baseline requirement for non-fiction. So! If any of you are thinking of reading this, give it a go. Just feel free to take your time - it's definitely more of a slow read despite its small size.

[ja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to own this !

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely enjoyed Two Families more. This was more factual and less storytelling. Still a good read all in all, just a bit more dry.