One Book One Burlington2017

Table of contents

About the Author ...........................1

Book Discussion Guide ...................2

Upcoming Events ...........................4

Books by Richard Wagamese .........8

Related Reads ................................9

Classic Family Read ......................10

Acclaim for Indian Horse

“…Wagamese pulls off a fine balancing act: exposing the horrors of the country’s residential schools while also celebrating Canada’s national game.”- Quill and Quire

“An unforgettable work of art.”– National Post

“…raw and authentic.”– Vancouver Weekly

www.bpl.on.ca/explore/one-book

A few words from Maureen Barry, CEO

Our 11th edition of One Book One Burlington speaks to a profoundly disturbing chapter in Canada’s history through a

compelling and eloquent voice. It is a story of communal trauma and recovery that warrants a broader community conversation. Earlier this year, we were deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of the author of our front running One Book selection, Richard Wagamese. Such is the transcendent power of his narrative that, for the first time, we overruled our criterion that the chosen novel must be written by a living Canadian author. We invite readers to discover why this book, at this time of honouring the truth and reconciling for the future, is the One Book for Burlington in 2017. Maureen Barry, CEO

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About the author

Richard Wagamese (1955–2017), an Ojibway from the Wabaseemoong First Nation in northwestern Ontario, was recognized

as one of Canada’s foremost First Nations authors and storytellers. Prior to writing fiction, Wagamese was an award-winning journalist. He authored fifteen books, including a poetry collection, an anthology of his columns, and a book of meditations. Much acclaimed during his lifetime, in 2013 he won the coveted Molson Prize awarded by The Canada Council for the Arts for his outstanding achievement in the arts. In 2015, Wagamese was awarded the Writers’ Trust of Canada’s Matt Cohen Award, which honours writers who have dedicated their entire professional lives to the pursuit of writing.(Source: Douglas & McIntyre)

1. The narrative framework of many literary works is a three-act structure: setup, conflict, and resolution. Does Indian Horse have this framework? If so, what do you consider to be the setting and key circumstances for each of its three acts? Which of the acts had the most impact on you and why?

2. What role does “family” play in the life of Saul Indian Horse? What constitutes family?

3. In this novel? Discuss examples of “family” strength, weakness, and powerlessness in the story.

BOOK DISCUSSION

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Visit www.bpl.on.ca/explore/one-book for the complete discussion guide.

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4. Richard Wagamese has said, “…all of us have an intuitive connection to the planet…” To what degree do you feel a connection to nature? What comes to you when you sit quietly in your backyard, a park, or conservation area? Did your own experience help you identify with Saul’s sense of connection to the land? What impact does Saul’s connection to the land have on him?

5. Saul has a strong spiritual connection to his ancestors. What do the ancestors teach him? What is the impact of those teachings? Does your own cultural tradition revere ancestors and connect you vibrantly to them? If not, do you think it did in your cultural past?

6. Saul is sent to a residential school. What techniques did Richard Wagamese use to portray the residential school experience? How effective do you think they were? If you’ve read other books with a residential school setting, did their authors use similar or different techniques? How effective were those techniques?

GUIDE

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UPCOMING

Open Mic Night: Stories of HockeyTue September 19 | 6.30-8.30pmShare your story of what hockey means to you. Local poet Laurence Hutchman reads from his works and moderates an open stage. Time limit: 5 minutes. Register at event; no advance sign-up. Central

Woodlands Style Art LectureThu September 21 | 7-8.30pmFounded by First Nations Ojibway artist Norval Morrisseau, Anishnaabe painting is a genre of painting among First Nations and Native American artists from the Great Lakes area. Presented in partnership with Art Gallery of Burlington. Location: AGB

Kairos Blanket WorkshopWed October 11 | 2-3.30pmA facilitated interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history, where participants take on the roles of Indigenous peoples in Canada. An unforgettable experience. Central

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Call 905.639.3611 ext 1321 or your local branch to register.

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Ten Secret Ways Writers Use Libraries Tue October 17 | 6.30-8.30pmOur panel of local authors discus how libraries shaped their world and why they are so important to literature and the community. Presented in partnership with A Different Drummer Books. Central

Doc*Side: Trick or Treaty Thu October 19 | 2-3.30pmAcclaimed filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin profiles Indigenous leaders in their quest for justice as they seek to establish dialogue with the Canadian government. (NFB.com) Central

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EVENTS

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UPCOMING

Doc*Side: Muffins for GrannyWed October 25 | 2-4pmFilmmaker Nadia McLaren’s moving documentary about the residential school system, highlighting her Ojibway grandmother’s experience and the repercussions that have echoed through her family. Central

Ojibway Cultural WorkshopWed November 1 | 6.30-8.30pmLearn traditional teachings including an overview of the Anishnaabe Nation, the clan systems, PowWow, the four sacred medicines, and the medicine wheel. Central

An Evening with Tomson Highway Sat November 4 | 7-8.30pmRenowned Cree storyteller, playwright, novelist, musician Tomson Highway shares work from his new book, Oral to Written. Tickets on sale early fall. Visit www.bpl.on.ca for details. Presented in partnership with the Arts & Culture Council of Burlington. Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre - Studio Theatre. $35.

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EVENTS

Indian Horse Book Club DiscussionTue November 7 | 2-3.30pmYou’ve read the book, now let’s talk about it. Central

One Book One Burlington Books & LettersMon November 20 | 6pm Reception for 7-9pm Main EventThis year’s season wraps up with a panel of prominent Canadians and special guests discussing Indian Horse and the legacy of renowned Canadian writer Richard Wagamese. The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra

String Quartet performs Antonín Leopold Dvořák. Presented in partnership with A Different Drummer Books, Art Gallery of Burlington, and Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, Auditorium A&B. $20. Register in person or by phone with VISA/MasterCard.

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Thank you to our partners for being involved on our community team.

A Different Drummer Books

A Quality of LightDream WheelsEmbers: One Ojibway’s MeditationsKeeper’n MeMedicine WalkOne Story, One SongOne Native LifeRagged CompanyRunaway Dreams PoemsThe Next Sure Thing

OTHER BOOKSby RICHARD WAGAMESE

Photo Credit: Yvette Lehmann

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RELATED READS

CHILDRENThe Elders Are Watching by Dave Bouchard Sin-chi’s Canoe by Nicola CampbellRed Wolf by Jennifer DanceI Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy KacerCaribou Song / Atihko Nikamon BY Thomson HighwayCaribou Song / Ateek Oonagamoon by Tomson Highway

TEENThe Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Truth and Bright Water by Thomas King Keeper’n Me by Richard Wagamese

ADULTWenjack by Joseph Boyden The Secret Path by Gord Downie & Jeff LemireThe Reason You Walk: A Memoir by Wab KinewThe Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King Birdie by Tracey LindbergUp Ghost River by Edmund Metatawabin & Alexandra ShimoMonkey Beach by Eden RobinsonHonouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future: Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

CLASSIC FAMILY READ

In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, we launched a special family edition of One Book One Burlington. The selected book: Canadian classic and perennial favourite... ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

Join us as we celebrate Anne and LUCY MAUD MONTGOMERY through programs and events throughout the year.

Look for copies of Anne of Green Gables in Little Free Libraries throughout Burlington!

2017

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