Review: "Indian Horse" by Richard Wagamese

During this Fall semester I am enrolled in an Indigenous Literature course, and on our seemingly endless list of books to read is "Indian Horse" by Richard Wagamese. So far, we are only half way through the semester, and I've learnt more about Indigenous people than I thought existed. When it comes to the truth about North America's history I am extremely naive and I never realized how brutally treated this country's natives were treated, and are still treated today.

Richard Wagamese wrote the novel, "Indian Horse" that tells the story of a boy, Saul, who is snatched from his family and put into a residential school. Reading about the horror that happened inside the walls of these schools almost makes me relate what happened to the Holocaust. It's completely brutal, and wrong how we treated Indigenous people. I don't want to give away the entire story but all I will say about the plot is that at first, when I thought it was just a hockey story, I wasn't looking forward to it at all, but as I understood Saul's escape through hockey it spoke to me on a new level.

Throughout my adolescence my family and myself experienced (for lack of better words) a lot of shit. In tenth grade, my father had a near death experience, where my family experienced adversity and we persevered. In my freshman year of university I was sexually assaulted, and I am currently still trying to live with that weight on my shoulders. All throughout these times I was told to turn to basketball as an escape from the hurricane going on in my life. For a time I did turn to basketball, but I found the most comfort in writing. I would sit down and when I was able of writing my emotions and thoughts on a page I felt as if my trauma was leaving my body and being transferred onto the page. I think it's extremely important for people that have experienced trauma to find a release. If you're anything like me, you like to bottle up your feelings because you don't want to be a burden to people around you, but if you can find a healthy release for your trauma you'll be so much better off. Now listen, I'm not saying to ignore your problems by finding a hobby, but I am saying that in order to feel better you have to help yourself. I'm not a professional, (obviously) but I always feel better when I do something to distract myself. If I lay in bed I'm giving myself the time to dwell on whatever I have going on, but if I force myself to get up, and do something than I feel instantly better.

While reading this novel, I found myself getting emotional at obvious parts that you will too, and if you don't than it's fair to say that there's a hole in your chest where a heart should be.

Richard Wagamese wrote a perfect novel that captures people by Saul's story, but also informs us of the truth that is the history of a Canada.

If you decide to read this book, which I highly suggest you do, you will understand my obsession with Saul and his story.

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