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Indian Horse
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
Winner of the Canada Reads People's Choice award and the First Nations Communities Reads program and short-listed for the International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award. A Globe and Mail top 100 book of 2012 Saul Indian Horse is dying. Tucked away in a hospice high above the clash and clang of a big city, he embarks on a marvellous journey of imagination back through the life he led as a northern Ojibway, with all its sorrows and joys. With compassion and insight, author Richard Wagamese traces through his fictional characters the decline of a culture and a cultural way. For Saul, taken forcibly from the land and his family when he's sent to residential school, salvation comes for a while through his incredible gifts as a hockey player. But in the harsh realities of 1960s Canada, he battles obdurate racism and the spirit-destroying effects of cultural alienation and displacement. Indian Horse unfolds against the bleak loveliness of northern Ontario, all rock, marsh, bog and cedar. Wagamese writes with a spare beauty, penetrating the heart of a remarkable Ojibway man. Evaluated and Approved by ERAC
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LiseWorks
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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January 16th #25Alive FaveBook'24 This one sticks to mind @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfect 👌🏼 4d
20 likes1 comment
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Tamra
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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What splendid evocative writing! The excerpt pictured is from page 1. I‘m only on chapter 6 and I am going to savor each and every one.

#OhCanada
@Jess861

Suet624 Beautiful! 7d
Cathythoughts ❤️ 7d
Jess861 I'm so glad you are enjoying the book! 7d
DogMomIrene I‘m looking forward to this one! 5d
Tamra @DogMomIrene it‘s really just outstanding writing so far. 5d
42 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Ruthiella
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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#WhereAreYouMonday

I find myself in Canada today. I‘ve just started the inaugural #OhCanada read. New author for me and the first couple chapters are promising, though I know it‘s also going to make me sad.

Prairiegirl_reading Richard Wagamese is one of my favourite authors! I have not read this one but I‘ve read a number of his others and I think I‘ve rated them all 5 stars. I hope you enjoy it. And yes have the tissues ready. 7d
Ruthiella @Prairiegirl_reading Thanks for the heads up on the tissues! I will try to prepare myself. 7d
BiblioLitten I‘m starting this too! I was in Kamchatka Peninsula and am just about to start Wagamese! 7d
See All 9 Comments
BiblioLitten @Prairiegirl_reading I‘m starting Indian Horse too, but I really loved Keeper n Me by the same author. 7d
Tamra Sooooo good! I have a special fondness for indigenous writers & writing. 7d
Ruthiella @Tamra Good to hear! 7d
Prairiegirl_reading @BiblioLitten I loved keeper ‘n me too! Ragged company, Dream Wheels, Medicine Walk all excellent. Richard Wagamese is just great with character and place. 7d
CarolynM I‘m looking forward to getting started on this one 6d
Ruthiella @CarolynM I have a very good feeling about it based on the first few chapters. 6d
64 likes9 comments
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Kitta
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Finished this for #ohcanada a few days ago and forgot to update.

Amazing book looking into the effects and horrors of residential schools and treatment of #indigenous Canadians. Told as the story of a young boy, Saul Indian Horse, as he grows up.

Really interesting insight. Be prepared if you don‘t understand hockey to read a lot about it. I think it would be fine if you don‘t know a lot but as a fan this was a bonus for me.

#canada

Jess861 I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Definitely an important but dark part of Canadian history. 2w
31 likes2 comments
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Kitta
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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« I couldn‘t run the risk of someone knowing me, because I couldn‘t take the risk of knowing myself »

#ohcanada #canada #indigenous #ojibwe

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LitsyEvents
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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repost for @Jess861:

The Oh Canada book club officially kicks off tomorrow with Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. We will select a book to read every two months and I will post a small discussion at the end of each book for those who wish to participate. This is about as low key as it gets and everyone is welcome!

I look forward to exploring Canadian authors and books with you all!

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2823452

LiseWorks This is a really good book. 3w
28 likes1 comment
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LitsyEvents
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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repost for @Jess861:

Thank you to all for your thoughts on the first book. Excited to announce that our first read for the Oh Canada Book Club will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the January/February book. Cannot wait to start diving into some Canadian books!

Very low key, all are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

35 likes1 comment
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Jess861
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Thank you to all for your thoughts on the first book. Excited to announce that our first read for the Oh Canada Book Club will be Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. This book club will run every two months, so this will be the January/February book. Cannot wait to start diving into some Canadian books!

Very low key, all are welcome to join! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!

#OhCanada #BuddyRead #BookClub #2025 @LitsyEvents

Ruthiella Fantastic! Looking forward to reading this new-to-me author next year. 2mo
Tamra This is on my TBR! I‘ll join. 😄 Wagamese is terrific. (edited) 2mo
See All 12 Comments
CarolynM Looking forward to it 2mo
PurpleyPumpkin I‘d love to incorporate more Canadian authors into my tbr. And a two-month schedule is ideal! If you could add me to your list, I‘d appreciate it!😊 2mo
Jess861 @Tamra - Awesome, great to have you join :) 2mo
Jess861 @PurpleyPumpkin Great! I'll add you to the tag list :)! 2mo
Tamra @Jess861 I‘ve ordered a copy. 👍🏾 2mo
Kitta Can I be added to the list? 2mo
Jess861 @Kitta Of course 🙂! Welcome!! 2mo
Blueberry Please add me to your #OhCanada book club tag list. 7d
Jess861 @Blueberry Added 😊 7d
36 likes12 comments
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LiseWorks
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2mo
24 likes1 comment
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LiseWorks
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Every Canadian should read this book! An Obibway boy who is taken from his culture to be in a residential school in the early 1960s. It is sad and full of racism. As a Canadian, I feel ashamed as to how this could have been allowed to happen to so many children.As a descendent of The Ojibway people (Great Great Grandmother was Ojibway from Sault st Marie, Ont), I felt for this little boy being taken away from his culture.This book touched my heart

26 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Tamra
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Is it raining? Of course, still, again. Good grief will it ever end???

Went to a posh finely curated bookshop in Eau Claire, WI. It was so poshy it felt more like an expensive art gallery in which you would only speak in hushed tones, if you spoke at all. 😜 (I admit I loved the literary quality of the selections.)

JenReadsAlot I don't think it's ever going to end! I'm in southern Wisconsin in the rain..... 7mo
Tamra @JenReadsAlot blech - not my thing! 7mo
JenReadsAlot It's getting really old! 7mo
See All 12 Comments
Blh87 MN here, and me and my plants are drowning. I am going on strike. No more rain! 7mo
Tamra @Blh87 I‘m in MN too and while I‘m glad the two year drought is done, this is overkill! (edited) 7mo
Blh87 @Tamra I‘m tired of being soggy. 7mo
Tamra @Blh87 agreed. It‘s interfering with my outdoor reading and we get so little of it even in the best of years. 😢 7mo
LeeRHarry Be great if you could send some rain to Melbourne - we seriously need some. Hope it clears soon. 🤞 7mo
Tamra @LeeRHarry I‘m happy to help! Blowing the rain clouds your way! 🌬️🌬️💨 7mo
Tamra @LeeRHarry seriously, the proverbial grass is always greener on the other side. We‘ve been abnormally dry for two years and now we‘ve gone the other direction. Thanks climate change. 🫤 7mo
LeeRHarry @Tamra I‘m wondering if we‘re in for it come spring. 7mo
Tamra @LeeRHarry you might be if this cycle is any indication. Our winter was very dry too. 7mo
51 likes12 comments
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Jas16
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

When tragedy changes the trajectory of his life, Saul Indian Horse is sent to a residential school introducing him to racism and cruelty that will haunt him the rest of his life. A rare talent for hockey gives him a chance for happiness but some things cannot be out-skated. This book manages to be both brutal and easy to read. An undoubtedly important story. #24in2024

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LiseWorks
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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April 30 #SpringSkies MFIndegenousPpl I want to read this one. @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs 🧡📚💙 9mo
kwmg40 Such a great book! 9mo
16 likes2 comments
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MysticFaerie
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

5🌟/5🌟

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ChaoticMissAdventures
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

This is a hard book to read. Tragedy and darkness follow Saul Indian Horse, but he finds hockey and for a while it is the light he needs and he throws himself into the game. The book is heavy and mirrors Sauls life, there is a lightness to the hockey chapters that were needed. The light doesn't last. The book is well balanced and an essential slice of life of Canadian people and history.

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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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ChaoticMissAdventures I am reading this now. Some super tough parts. The horrors the Native children went through in Residential schools, I can't imagine how anyone could do that. 13mo
Andrew65 Sounds must reading! 13mo
53 likes2 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pulling together things for 2024

This is my #24in2024 cart! Mostly it is random books I have had physical copies of that have been on my Goodreads TBR prior to 2023, and then all of my #botm stragglers. I cancelled that subscription because I wasn't reading the books. Time to get them all done!

#24in2024 with @Jas16

LiteraryinPA The cart looks so inviting!! 13mo
Jas16 Great selection and quite a few books I have read and loved! 13mo
40 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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🍁 Indian Horse

🍁 finding a 5 ⭐ spooky book to read.

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView
I tag @NataliePatalie

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 1y
31 likes1 comment
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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

5 ⭐. Very good.
Triggers: sadness, anger, Indian residential schools, alcoholism, abuse

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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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"My name is Saul Indian Horse."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Creadnorthey So weird- I‘m reading Keeper‘n Me by the same author- just started it and saw your post… 1y
Blueberry @Creadnorthey that looks good. I will read it too. Thanks. 1y
48 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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"My name is Saul Indian Horse"

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl 💜 1y
CuriousG Such a great novel! I just finished Medicine Walk, another wonderful one. 1y
43 likes2 comments
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CuriousG
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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30 book recommendations in 30 days...

Day 28: Near the end, but still have dozens of books I could easily choose from. This was a great audio listen. Another good one for Canadians to read/expand their understanding of Indigenous experiences. Yes, it is fiction, but sometimes being in a character's head is what we need to connect/learn, and this is very much consistent with any non-fiction I've read. #30recsin30days
Content warnings in comments

CuriousG Content warnings for: residential schools (forced/captive, not voluntary), child abuse, childhood sexual abuse, denial of freedom to practice cultural language and customs, intergenerational trauma, alcoholism, ongoing colonial practices 1y
21 likes1 comment
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Michael_Gee
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Wide margins and small chapters make this an easier read than you‘d expect considering its emotionally tough subject matter. I don‘t want to say too much about it, but I will say it packs a real blow. Powerful story, beautifully written.

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Blueberry
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Eggs Perfect 💚🐎🤎 2y
50 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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melissajayne
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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A very poignant book, especially in the last year due to the finding of unmarked graves of residential school students in several locations. It‘s a book I need to purchase and mark up. Lots of warnings for this book, especially for sexual abuse. #letteri #alphabetgame

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚❤️📚 2y
25 likes1 comment
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jlhammar
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Heartbreaking, but so good. Definitely had me in tears.

#MadeYouCry #BookMoods
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Prairiegirl_reading I haven‘t read this but I have loved all of the Richard Wagamese books I have read. And I have cried so much over them. He was brilliant. (edited) 3y
Eggs Sounds powerful 👏🏻💔🙏🏻 3y
jlhammar @Prairiegirl_reading This is the only Wagamese I‘ve read so far. I have Medicine Walk so look forward to trying that next. 3y
See All 6 Comments
Prairiegirl_reading @jlhammar ragged company is AMAZING!!! 3y
jlhammar @Prairiegirl_reading Good to know! I‘m definitely adding that to my to-buy list. 3y
kwmg40 I love Wagamese's books. I definitely recommend Ragged Company, and Medicine Walk as well. 3y
47 likes1 stack add6 comments
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bookwrm526
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Incredibly difficult, but ultimately hopeful. Knowledge if this history, even if it is fictionalized here, is so important and needs to be more widespread. It really wasn‘t that long ago in the scheme of things. I wish I could have appreciated the parts about hockey a little more, but I am not a huge fan.

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Auntynanny
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

I'm really glad I finally read this, even if it was a bit hockey-heavy for me. I think it's an all too common story for many Indigenous people in Canada. It was difficult to read, but also very necessary, especially with all the discoveries of mass graves at residential schools.

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CuriousG
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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I'm posting one book per day from the ever growing unread stacks in my personal library. No description or explanation, just books I own and plan to read. #tbr

Day 55 (Audible edition)

16 likes2 stack adds
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rabbitprincess
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
Pickpick

Beautifully told and devastating. Whatever else I could say about it would be totally inadequate. So just read it.
#ReadCanada #Ontario
#ShutdownRound3 book 2

DieAReader On a roll!🎉🥳 4y
MsMelissa This book is so good! I hope my daughter has to read it in grade 11 English, which focuses on Indigenous lit. 4y
kwmg40 Wagamese's writing is indeed beautiful. I loved Medicine Walk as well. 4y
rabbitprincess @DieAReader I was doing so well, then hit a wall 😂 @MsMelissa I would love to see the reading list for that course! @kwmg40 I also loved Medicine Walk! 4y
DieAReader @rabbitprincess I‘ve also met said 🧱wall🙄 Unfortunately, we‘re well acquainted recently🥺😬 4y
27 likes5 comments
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Creadnorthey
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

This is a powerhouse of a book- and most certainly for those who understand the love of hockey- BUT don‘t think this is a hockey book. The writing is superb, evocative and authentic encouraging me to find solace and heal where so much anger should be holds the value for forgiveness above the destruction of revenge. Books like this enlighten and offer clarity- should be on everyone‘s TBR pile.

KVanRead Great review. 4y
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MissYaremcio
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Sol tells the story of his life growing up and his family's experience with colonization. Sol tells this story as a reflection of his life and his family's struggles. I like this book so far, but I haven't read enough of it to get a really concrete understanding of the whole novel. A theme present in this novel is the theme of overcoming adversity.

MissYaremcio Overcoming adversity is an important theme as we see Sol‘s life in a series of flashbacks and reflections on his experiences. (edited) 5y
MrsBabki This was an amazingly powerful story. 5y
9 likes2 comments
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tournevis
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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French-langage lovers, today is the beginning of the annual Combat National des Livres (Canada Reads, but in French).

The defenders are:
Richard Wagamese's Cheval indien (Indigenous territories)
J.R. Réveillé's Le soleil du lac qui se couche (West)
Marguerite Anderson, Mauvaise mère (Ontario)
Nadine Bismuth, Un lien familial (Québec)
Gérald Leblanc, Moncton Mantra (Atlantic)

Go vote now! https://ici.radio-canada.ca/fiches/572/combat-des-livres

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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

It's been a while since a book made me cry. A very shameful part of Canadian history. This should be mandatory reading in Canadian schools, it was very eye opening. I always thought the schools occurred in the late 1800s (and they did), but this book is set in the 1960s. And according to Google the last federal residential school closed in 1996! I had no idea, how recent this all was. A very important read for any Canadian.

Krystle13 I got this one free the other month. I am torn on when to listen to it...ugh. It breaks my heart. I heard it was great and numerous people have said the same thing you did. 5y
Creadnorthey Important read for Canadian and beyond! 4y
87 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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lovelybookshelf
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

This is about trauma and the long road of healing. It's not a fast read, despite its page count (about 220 pages). The narrative is rich, intense, and because it deals with racism and Canada's residential schools, often brutal. This is the kind of book you read slowly, sitting with what's happening and what the implications will be for the character's life. This was my first time reading Wagamese's work, and it won't be my last. #nativeauthors

Suet624 Every time I see this author‘s name come up I get mad at myself for not reading his work yet. 5y
BookNAround This was really a magnificent read, wasn‘t it? 5y
lovelybookshelf @Suet624 I definitely wish I'd read him earlier! 5y
lovelybookshelf @BookNAround It truly was. And I know nothing about hockey and am not into sports, but even though sections had me captivated. 5y
15 likes4 comments
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Blaire
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

This book broke my heart. Painful story of a native Ojibway Canadian taken to an abusive and horrific residential school who finds some solace in playing hockey, but even that joy is tainted by experiences he must confront. Saul‘s story and what so many children went through will stay with me. Beautifully written. #indigenousauthor #booked2019.

62 likes3 stack adds
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Okiinabastien
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Indian horse is about a indigenous child from the Ojibway tribe, Saul Indian horse survives the Indian residential school system and grows up to become a star hockey player, the story follows Saul on his journey through residential school and his love of hockey.

MissYaremcio Thank you for the review Okiina! Remember to include all elements of the assignment in your post (you were missing the recommendation and the pacing). 5y
4 likes1 comment
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melissajayne
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Suet624 Shoot. I keep meaning to read one of his books. 5y
melissajayne @Suet624 I read it about a couple years ago and quite enjoyed it. Deals with heavy stuff. 5y
19 likes2 comments
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pigeonsandcrows
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

The story of an Ojibway man sent to residential school in the 1960s and his struggles to find a way to build a life for himself and deal with multiple traumatic events in his life. You'll probably get more out of it if you like sports and especially hockey, although that's certainly not necessary to understand Saul's overall journey.

46 likes1 stack add
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MsLeah8417
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

💔💔💔💔💔
Bless you, Richard Wagamese.

pigeonsandcrows I'm reading this one right now. Your copy has a really good cover! 5y
MsLeah8417 @pigeonsandcrows : ugh, those libraries stickers in the cover art drive me crazy. 5y
10 likes2 comments
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MsLeah8417
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese

Only at chapter three and the tears are coming

9 likes2 stack adds
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pigeonsandcrows
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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😊 😊Are there any other littens here located in Canada? I see all the beautiful book swaps and whatnot going on and wonder if there is anyone else out there dependent on Canada Post who might want to start a group or a book swap or something similar? 😊

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Welcome to Litsy 💖📖💖 I host a Canadian penpal group #PoutinePenPals . If you're interested in connecting with more Canadian Littens send me an email with your name, Litsy handle, mailing address & birthday. 5y
pigeonsandcrows @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego That sounds great. How do I send a private message via Litsy? (Sorry, I am still pretty new here!) 5y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego There isn't a way, but here's my email danielle_gangur@hotmail.com 5y
See All 9 Comments
Readswithcoffee Welcome to Litsy 👍🏻📚📚📚👍🏻 5y
pigeonsandcrows @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego OK, just sent you an email! 5y
Reagan 👋 I'm in Alberta! 5y
pigeonsandcrows @Reagan-reads Me too!! 5y
mcctrish I‘m in Southern Ontario and I‘m in #poutinepenpals ⬆️ 5y
LA_Mead #poutinepenpals is lots of fun! 5y
36 likes9 comments
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Blaire
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Happy Canada Day!! 🇨🇦 Hoping to get to this novel by a First Nations author later this month. It is also my pick for #booked2019 #indigenousauthor #canada #letstraveljuly @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

OriginalCyn620 👌🏻🇨🇦😊 6y
52 likes1 comment
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throwmeabook
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Mehso-so

The forcible removal of First Nation children and placement in residential schools is a sad and dark part of our history and difficult to read about. Saul, an Ojibway boy placed in a residential school endures beatings and abuse. The only bright light in his life is playing hockey. I wanted to like this more than I did. Too heavy on the hockey and light on the emotional and historical issues. ⭐️⭐️ #booked2019 #booked2019spring #indigenousauthor

CouronneDhiver 😕 oh no! 6y
Cinfhen Too bad it wasnt a pick 😣still sounds like a heavy read 6y
33 likes2 comments
review
TheLibrarian
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
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Pickpick

Indian Horse takes you on a journey of Saul‘s life, the Ojibway tribe and how the government took the kids, hockey, and other moments leading up to him being in the treatment center. Filled with so many emotions – love, hope, fear, sorrow, despair, anger, etc. – Indian Horse is a novel that you won‘t forget anytime soon.

Overall an excellent read. I loved the parts about the Ojibway tribe but could have done with fewer hockey sections.

Tamra Anxious to read! 6y
92 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Lauren.Archer
Indian Horse | Richard Wagamese
Pickpick

Wow, this might have been one of the best books I have ever read. At first thought this was a typical coming of age story with some heartbreak but then it took a turn I never expected which changed the essence of the book for me. This is a very relevant and such a poignant book. This should be required reading.

BookNAround It was fantastic, wasn‘t it? 6y
CouronneDhiver He‘s my absolute favourite author ever ❤️ 6y
73 likes5 stack adds2 comments