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Roast Moose and Rosaries Fred and Mary Courtoreille are B.C. Salteau Cree elders whose autobiographies alternately reflect different viewpoints which are representative of the acculturation and displacement of Canadian First Nations peoples. Their juxtaposed stories depict the lives of two young people who grew up at the turn of this century. Fred's upbringing in a traditional Cree community reveals a natural life in harmony with nature and its cycles. His story mirrors an often harsh and humble existence with a great love of the "bush" life. Mary's compelling residential convent school experiences disclose the trauma of institutional life which is typical of abuse now being divulged in recent court cases. However, there are humorous anecdotes which somehow balance the disturbing treatment of the children in the residential school. The two stories gradually mesh when the couple get married and carry on with their lives--both aware of the need to learn skills necessary to adapt to their changing worlds.This 132-page book is appropriate reading at multi-grade levels with adaptation and extended learning activities suggested by teacher's guides which are available for fundamental and advanced levels. However, caution must be exercised in using this with First Nations students who are still healing from residential school experiences. This part of Canada's history needs to be learned and the book is a powerful tool to this end. It offers opportunity for cross-cultural learning if used in a sensitive and guided manner. As a survivor, it conjured up unresolved issues for me which made this review challenging, but life goes on! |
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