Richard Wagamese: The Power of Storytelling

Lucy Cao / Edge columnist

Richard Wagamese‘s journey through adversity ultimately led him to discover his voice as a writer and his identity as an Ojibwe. According to the article “Richard Wagamese, Whose Writing Explored His Ojibwe Heritage, Dies at 61” by The New York Times, Wagamese was born into a world overshadowed by the legacy of Canadian government and the pain of family disconnection. It’s through his storytelling that he reclaimed what had been lost, putting together the pieces of his personal history with a broader web of Indigenous resilience and survival.

Early life

Wagamese’s early years were difficult, filled with neglect and the devastating effects of Canadian government policies on Indigenous peoples. Wagamese was three years old when he and his siblings were forcibly removed from their home by the government under the Sixties Scoop program, which separated Indigenous children from their communities and placed them in foster care.

The Sixties Scoop forcibly separating Indigenous children from their home and a photo of these children

At the age of nine, Wagamese was adopted by a family that, he wrote in the essay Returning to Harmony, exposed him to “beatings, mental and emotional abuse, and a complete dislocation and disassociation from anything Indian or Ojibwe.” Wagamese ran away from the family at the age of 16 and endured years of struggle with alcoholism, homelessness, and drug addiction. In turn, he found solace in the refuge of literature.

“Watching the morning break, I realize again that darkness doesn’t kill the light – it defines it.”
Wagamese

Achievements

Wagamese’s traumatic early life experiences, combined with the intergenerational trauma caused by his parents as survivors of residential schools, has had a significant effect on his writing, which has grappled with themes of resilience, identity, and healing.

As stated in the article “Richard Wagamese” by Writer’s Trust of Canada, Wagamese was a creative writer who was dedicated to his literature career. Even after Wagamese’s passing in 2017, the book he was working on before he died named Starlight was released in August 2018. This serves as a touching reminder that even in his absence, Wagamese’s creations and contributions continue to influence and inspire others.

Coming from the Ojibway Wabaseemoong First Nation based in northwestern Ontario, Wagamese lived in Kamloops. His notable work, Indian Horse, won the Burt Award for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Literature, and was adapted into a film showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Indian Horse – a Canadian film

The book cover of the novel *Indian Horse*

The novel focuses on the story of Saul Indian Horse, a young Ojibwe boy who survives the horrors of St. Jerome’s Indian Residential School, where he is forcibly separated from his family, stripped of his language, culture, and identity, and subjected to abuse and neglect. Despite the brutal treatment he endures, Saul finds solace and purpose in the game of ice hockey, discovering a sense of belonging and empowerment on the ice.

The book cover of the novel *Keeper’n Me*

Accroding to the article “Richard Wagamese” by Jules Lewis, Wagamese’s novel Keeper’n Me, won the Alberta Writers Guild Best Novel Award in 1995, remains a significant involvement in Indigenous literature. This novel marks the beginning of a successful and productive literary career. Drawing from Wagaemse’s own experiences as a Sixties Scoop survivor, Keeper’n Me tells the story of Garnet Raven, a man who reconnects with his Indigenous roots after being separated from his community as a child.

The acclaim for the novel Keeper’n Me paved the way for other popular works include Medicine Walk, Embers: One Ojibway’s Mediations, and Starlight. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and praises, such as the Matt Cohen Award, the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media and Communications, and the Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize.

Medicine Walk
Starlight
Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditation

Contribution & Influence

As mentioned in the article “Ojibway author Richard Wagamese found salvation in stories” by The Globe and Mail, Wagamese was a writer who deeply grasped the transformative influence of words on society. His own journey, marked by obstacles, led him to understand that words could be a lifeline. Whether it is written or spoken, his words resounded with honesty, history, and expressiveness that touched the inner walls of humanity.

A speech on his novel Indian Horse at the University of British Columbia

Wagamese’s novels sheds light on the dark history of Canada’s residential school system and its devastating impact on Indigenous communities. He uses novels as a platform to amplify Indigenous voice, challenge stereotypes about Indigenous people, and adopting empathy and understanding within Indigenous communities.

Through his book characters’ experiences, Wagamese gives voice to the pain, sorrow, and resilience of Indigenous survivors, ensuring that their stories are heard and remembered. By witnessing the brutal treatments committed against Indigenous children, Wagamese challenges readers to confront the uncomfortable truths of Canada’s colonial history.

Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of healing and support for Indigenous peoples who have experienced historical trauma. Readers are encouraged to consider their own responsibilities in reconciliation efforts and to take action to address systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. These references serve as pointed reminders of Wagamese’s ability to evoke empathy, provoke thought, and inspire change in his readers’ perspectives and attitudes.

Wagamese’s lecture at the University of Victoria

According to the article “Richard Wagamese on the power of stories” by the University of Victoria, connecting with others through sharing stories is a belief in which Wagamese lives by, stating that it alters perceptions and triggers understanding among people. Being a highly respected figure in Indigenous communities, he branches outside this by sharing his wisdom with university students and the public, advocating for the importance of storytelling in his lecture titled The Power of Stories. One Story, One Song, a memoir that reflects on the events that shaped Wagamese’s life was launched through this lecture.

“We all carry a yearning to be heard. Everything we do from the time we gain the ability to recollect offers a story. And we need to remind each other that’s the truth of who we are as human beings; we’re hardwired to tell stories.”
Wagamese

Gleneagle connection

Wagamese’s works offer a thoughtful picture of Indigenous experiences, providing a platform for Indigenous voices and stories that are often marginalized in mainstream literature. His stories provide Gleneagle students with insight into the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada.

Additionally, Wagamese’s literature dives into significant societal concerns such as racism, intergenerational trauma, and the legacy of colonialism, helping students develop empathy and understanding by exposing them to the realities and challenges faced by Indigenous communities. Students who read his work will develop a deeper understanding for the diverse background of Canadian society and the importance of reconciliation and social justice.

All in all, Wagamese’s life and works stand as a tribute to the deep impact of storytelling for healing, understanding, and social change. Born into a world that was shadowed by trauma, his journey led him to recover his voice as a writer, advocator, and his identity as an Ojibwe.

Richard Wagamese – an incredible Ojibway author

Through his work, he provides insight for Indigenous experiences, sparking important topics of discussion revolving around reconciliation and resilience. His commitment to sharing wisdom extended beyond books has inspired countless individuals to embrace the power of storytelling in their own lives. Wagamese’s everlasting legacy acts as a reminder of the importance of honoring Indigenous voices and histories as individuals travel towards a more just, empathetic, and compassionate society.

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