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A Two-Spirit Journey
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
7 posts | 10 read | 13 to read
A compelling, harrowing, but ultimately uplifting story of resilience and self-discovery. "A Two-Spirit Journey" is Ma-Nee Chacabys extraordinary account of her life as an Ojibwa-Cree lesbian. From her early, often harrowing memories of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa community riven by poverty and alcoholism, Chacabys story is one of enduring and ultimately overcoming the social, economic, and health legacies of colonialism. As a child, Chacaby learned spiritual and cultural traditions from her Cree grandmother and trapping, hunting, and bush survival skills from her Ojibwa stepfather. She also suffered physical and sexual abuse by different adults, and in her teen years became alcoholic herself. At twenty, Chacaby moved to Thunder Bay with her children to escape an abusive marriage. Abuse, compounded by racism, continued, but Chacaby found supports to help herself and others. Over the following decades, she achieved sobriety; trained and worked as an alcoholism counsellor; raised her children and fostered many others; learned to live with visual impairment; and came out as a lesbian. In 2013, Chacaby led the first gay pride parade in Thunder Bay. Ma-Nee Chacaby has emerged from hardship grounded in faith, compassion, humour, and resilience. Her memoir provides unprecedented insights into the challenges still faced by many Indigenous people.
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Blueberry
Blueberry
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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3 ⭐
Triggers: physical and sexual abuse

50 likes2 stack adds
review
JacqMac
JacqMac
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Pickpick

Might be my top pick for Canada Reads this year. The trauma and devastation this woman survived, yet the way she turned the pain into empathy and compassion, is the most exceptional show of defiance. “Even today, when I am grateful to lead a peaceful and happy life, there are moments when I feel anger, bitterness, and regret. But those feelings only make me miserable, and I don't want to live like that.” Not the best writing, but worth the read.

45 likes1 stack add
review
Nebklvr
Nebklvr
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Pickpick

This is not an easy read but it is an inspiring one. Ma-Nee experienced multiple episodes of violence and abuse, racism, homophobia, and homelessness. Her ability to forgive and to release the bitterness and anger towards those who caused her harm is beautiful and hard won. This may not be the best written narrative but it is an amazing one. #CanadaReads

49 likes
review
TheKidUpstairs
TheKidUpstairs
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Pickpick

First book completed for #CanadaReads 2025

The title suggests that this memoir will focus on Ma-Nee Chacaby's journey as a Two-Spirit person, but that is only one part of the much larger story of her life. Born in the 1950s in a tuberculosis sanitorium, this powerful memoir tells an (almost*) complete story of life as an Indigenous woman in Ontario, with all the traumas and triumphs therein.

Cont'd in commments

TheKidUpstairs Chacaby does not shy away from the more difficult parts of her story -trigger warnings for physical and sexual abuse, addiction and alcoholism, homophobia and homophobic violence, racism, homelessness - but I was struck by her ability to remain open to connection and community through it all. cont'd 1mo
TheKidUpstairs There are many stories of horrific acts committed by deeply damaged people (it is not by any means an easy read), but there are also many beautiful acts of kindness and help given, by loved ones and by strangers, that Chacaby then continues to radiate out to the world. This is an important read for a Canada Reads/group read setting, as she touches on so many issues and moments that offer a jumping off point for further study and discussion cont'd 1mo
TheKidUpstairs And an afterword by Mary Louise Plummer (the co-author) offers interesting insights into collaborative storytelling, particularly that between Indigenous people and white settler social science and history. And both the difficulties and potential presented by translating oral storytelling to a physical book. 1mo
TheKidUpstairs *(I say almost because Ma-Nee is still living her life, not because the book is lacking) 1mo
59 likes3 stack adds4 comments
review
Kenyazero
Kenyazero
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Pickpick

A really well done and engaging memoir retelling a life filled with pain, hardship, and triumph. I highly recommend this read, but it comes with strong content warnings for alcoholism, drug use, child abuse, rape, assault, homophobia, racism, torture, domestic abuse, child death, and other content that may be difficult for some readers. #LGBTQ #FirstNations #Memoir #Nonfiction #Disabilities

13 likes1 stack add
blurb
Kenyazero
Kenyazero
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Did some audio painting today! Yes, I‘m still working on this project. I‘m not great at getting things done 😅 #AudioCrafting #LitsyCrafters #Painting

Sparklemn Are those CDs? 3y
Kenyazero @Sparklemn yes! I have a lot of old burned CDs or writeable CDs that haven‘t been filled, as well as a few badly damaged CDs, and I wasn‘t sure what to do with them all. 3y
Sparklemn @Kenyazero Clever! 3y
See All 7 Comments
Kenyazero @Sparklemn Thanks! 3y
Clare-Dragonfly Aww, I love the shrooms! 3y
Kenyazero @Clare-Dragonfly thank you! I‘m working out how to ground them a little more. 3y
Catsandbooks So cute! 3y
26 likes7 comments
review
xicanti
xicanti
A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder | Ma-Nee Chacaby
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Pickpick

Trigger warning for everything. This is Ma-Nee Chacaby's memoir not just of her life as a lesbian Indigenous woman but also as a survivor of horrific abuse and addiction. It's an important read, but you'll want to proceed with caution if you've lived through anything similar.

The book also includes a detailed afterward about Indigenous told-to memoirs and how this particular account fits into the genre. #canada150 #queerbooks

50 likes3 stack adds