Tag Archives: canada reads

Jesse Thistle

On July 10 2020, Karim Kanji sat down with Jesse Thistle . Thistle is Métis-Cree, an author, assistant professor in the Department of Equity Studies at York University in Toronto. He is also the author of the best-selling memoir, From the Ashes. Thistle is an advocate for the  homeless.

This is Episode #235 of the Welcome! podcast.

Listen here: 

SPOTIFY
Apple Podcasts
Google Play Music
Stitcher 
TuneIn
Pocket Casts
You can also subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed if you so desire.

Book Report: Brother

Brother by David Chariandy,  is a story that takes place in Scarborough near the Rouge Valley about two brothers, Michael and Francis. The book is both familiar (about the low expectations that others have for the two brothers based on the colour of their skin) and heartbreaking (in that it seems there is no way out of the cycle of low hopes, dreams and eventual poverty for the family).

As an active resident of Scarborough I have seen (and experienced some) the same things that Michael and Francis have.

A great book for everyone living in Toronto and those who don’t but live in places where the shadows are both inviting and scary.

Book Report: The Marrow Thieves

I just finished reading Cherie Dimaline’s book, The Marrow Thieves.  It’s kinda sad that it was voted out on Day Three of Canada Reads.

The Marrow Thieves is a story about a world in which Indigenous peoples are being hunted and harvested for their marrow. Why, because, the rest of world have lost the ability to dream. The book follows Frenchie as he travels north and meets with various other runners.

The Marrow Thieves reminds us of how the European settlers abused the Indigenous people upon contact. I was reminded of the horrors of the residential school system and the “sixties scoop” while reading this book.

This book is must reading for anyone wanting to better understand the continuing Indigenous experience.