Killing the Wittigo: Indigenous Culture-Based Approaches to Waking Up, Taking Action, and Doing the Work of Healing

by Suzanne Methot

An unflinching reimagining of Legacy: Trauma, Story, and Indigenous Healing for young adults

Written specifically for young adults, reluctant readers, and literacy learners, Killing the Wittigo explains the traumatic effects of colonization on Indigenous people and communities and how trauma alters an individual’s brain, body, and behavior. It explores how learned patterns of behavior — the ways people adapt to trauma to survive — are passed down within family systems, thereby affecting the functioning of entire communities. The book foregrounds Indigenous resilience through song lyrics and as-told-to stories by young people who have started their own journeys of decolonization, healing, and change. It also details the transformative work being done in urban and on-reserve communities through community-led projects and Indigenous-run institutions and community agencies. These stories offer concrete examples of the ways in which Indigenous peoples and communities are capable of healing in small and big ways — and they challenge readers to consider what the dominant society must do to create systemic change. Full of bold graphics and illustration, Killing the Wittigo is a much-needed resource for Indigenous kids and the people who love them and work with them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Indigenous, Psychology, Self Help, Mental Health, History

160 pages, Paperback

Published June 6, 2023

Reviews

[Luciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an awesome book not only for indigenous cultures but for all who have to heal.

Throughout the book, there was a checking in page, to see how you felt, to justify those feelings & ideas for healing. I love the language used & the quotes.

A wonderful resource that should be on every shelf because it had great ideas & questions as well as an amazing tool kit at the end of the book.

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wittigo is a cannibal spirit creature from oral traditions of many Indigenous nations. A wittigo can take possession of a person's soul, and it can also haunt a community. Stories about the wittigo warn us to practice kindness, sharing, and self-control.

Killing The Wittigo is not a comfortable read, and in a way, it's not supposed to be one. Historical trauma, collective trauma, and ancestral trauma are rarely comfortable. The author, in clear, concise way, has taken a look at how the effects of these show up in generations. The focus of this book is how colonization is traumatizing the Indigenous population even now, and this is going to be uncomfortable for some. But reality and truth are always uncomfortable, right. As a person of color myself, I know this for a fact.

The book is meant for young adults, but everyone who wants to know more about intergenerational trauma can read it. In fact, everyone should read it. This book is rich with psychoeducation as well as practical exercises for being anchored, centered, and present in our Self.

I had the opportunity to read and review this book because of my work at the CPTSD Foundation, and this review copy was provided to me.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am writing this review, very conscious that, as a late 50s white settler, I have very few qualifications to comment, except some professional education training over the last year, which isn't enough. However, I'm also aware that the author, in their introduction, notes that non-Indigenous teachers etc may find the book useful. And it is.

Based around the metaphor of the Wittigo, a nightmarish, destructive (both self and other) spirit featured in several Indigenous cultures, this book explores the particularly history of trauma among Indigenous peoples- both generational and individual, and explores their origins and the way that Indigenous youths and their communities can heal. The reading is hard a lot of the time (hence, the many trigger warnings interspersed in the book), but important.

The writing is very accessible, clear and compassionate. Methot grounds the discussion in stories, but deepens the experience through sound therapeutic discussion. Well worth the reading.

[Tina]

My last nonfiction read was KILLING THE WITTIGO: Indigenous Culture-Based Approaches to Waking Up, Taking Action, and Doing the Work of Healing by Suzanne Methot. I’m not the intended audience for this book but I still learned from it. This book is for young Indigenous people and those who work in the helping professions. I really appreciated the care that is evident with a disclaimer at the beginning along with a welcoming and flashback protocol for when you’re feeling overwhelmed. There are some hard topics that are prefaced with trigger warnings. I liked how the writing and layout appeals to younger readers with bold graphics, straightforward language and personal anecdotes from a couple young Indigenous people. I read this book quite slowly because of the heavy subject matter. There are additional resources at the end. I’m glad to have this book in my collection so that I can refer back to it. I would love to read some own voices reviews too.

Thank you to ECW Press for my gifted review copy!

[Jessica Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the fact this is a self-help book that anyone can use, AND it has a particular focus on healing for people with the indigenous roots with the unique traumas that have ensued for them.

Easy to read, work through and consult. While I read it as a quick read, it would be one I would go back to multiple times while working on healing my own trauma.

For anyone who does not follow the Christian faith but was raised in it, it addresses some of the healing with that as well, and how the indigenous culture addresses some of the beliefs (like forgiveness).

A welcome addition to this very well-circulated section.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's reads more like one big listicle workbook around trauma in Indigenous culture than a narrative nonfiction- throwing quite a bit at a reader without a lot of visual appeal for an intended audience that might need a little more of a slow unravel and less "talking at".

Using the past to help heal in the future, Methot provides plenty of thinking and information to move forward especially in advocacy and voice.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although writen for indigenous youth around trauma and healing equally important for settler youth and for those working with youth and indigenous communities. Trauma, colonialism, lateral violence, abuse as well as indigenous culture, healing, actions and strategies. I really liked the very practical strategies and the questions to ask oneself.

[Nova Bozinoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book is FILLED with so many stories of transformative work being done through community-led projects and Indigenous-run institutions and community agencies!! 10/10 recommend as a resource to Indigenous youth and the people who love them and work with them!!!

[Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very detailed!
Very respectful!

Love all the trigger warnings, only one was missed. It sent a jolt of terror through me every time the author commands us to invite our ancestors into the room. My recent ancestors- some of which who died very recently - caused the MOST pain and suffering and misery, and they are NEVER ALLOWED ANYWHERE NEAR ME EVER AGAIN.

[Clivemichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well put together and presented. Topical and universally appropriate.

[Jamie Holchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah i needed to read this. And considering buying it in physical copy so i can annotate and keep to reread.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy-to-read. Trauma-informed approach. How colonization has lead to inter-generational trauma. Includes a list of ACE's, trigger warnings, a Flashback Protocol and Invocation. The book talks about uncomfortable and difficult topics, but it is necessary and important. Author is a trained educator; book is not a substitute for getting help or care. Although it is centered on an Indigenous culture-based approach, it can be used for everyone.
Nonfiction; MG and High School