Years ago, my long gone Mother-in-law was angry with her brother. Her husband had had his leg amputated due to diabetes complications. Throughout the ordeal she had expected to hear from her brother and his wife for comfort and support. When the overdue phone call came she did not hesitate to confront him. 

“Why haven’t I heard from you til now?”

“We wanted to call but didn’t think we could handle it.”

“Why not? We have to.” 

And boom went the receiver. 

(If you are too young to appreciate the feeling of slamming the phone down, well, let’s just say you are missing a most satisfactory experience in anger release.)

I don’t usually buy myself a Canada Day gift, but this year I have ordered myself a copy of Jeff Lemire’s graphic novel Secret Path. Gord Downie created an album based on the life and death of Chanie Wenjack, a young Indigenous boy who died from hunger and exposure trying to get back to his family after running away from residential school. Jeff Lemire created the graphic novel as a visual accompaniment to the album.

Just as my mother-in-law had waited for some comfort and support from her brother, Indigenous people have been waiting for the same. I don’t expect this book to be categorized as light summer reading, but in the spirit of ‘Why not? We have to,’ it’s my way of improving my understanding of the residential school experience and its impact. 

Proceeds from the sale of Secret Path will go to The Gord Downie Secret Path Fund for Truth and Reconciliation via The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at The University of Manitoba.

There will be no post next week for a Canada Day/Reading break.

Stay safe everyone.

Anne Milne is an every Sunday blogger.  Facebook or Twitter.