Author: Richard Wagamese

One word summary: stunning.

To find a book that is beautifully written, emotionally provocative, wholly depressing and sticks with you in a way that changes your worldview is beyond outstanding. The moment I got to the last page, I knew this book was going to rank in my top five.

Indian Horse deals with extremely sensitive subjects that have been the dark hole of Canada’s history. Wagamese directly confronts the issues of residential schools, blatant racism and the aftermath of a people trying to recover. It’s all woven together in a story dealing with identity, recovery and hockey.

How Canadian, right?

What pulled at me the hardest was the thread of hope I had while journeying with Saul getting shattered in the last few pages. After the anger you feel towards everything he has experienced, the reader is confronted with an even darker truth that pulls you into despair. And really, that emotion is appropriate because his story is the story of so many in this country.

It’s still dumbfounding Canada’s last residential school (a school system specifically designed to strip Native people of their culture where horrendous abuses happened) closed in 1996. While the government made a formal apology in 2008, you have to wonder how it was swept under the rug for so long. Well, you don’t have to wonder when you consider the abrasive, racist attitude people had/have toward Native people.

Yes, there are great strides being taken to educate people about what happened, but the stats mean nothing compared to the story. While the material in this book may be too sensitive for younger audiences, it should be required reading at some point in school. I don’t make that statement lightly either as I’m a teacher who offers free choice in what students should read.

If you ever want to know one of Canada’s dark secrets, this book will shine a light.