Skip to content
Scan a barcode
Scan
Paperback Waking Nanabijou: Uncovering a Secret Past Book

ISBN: 1550027573

ISBN13: 9781550027570

Waking Nanabijou: Uncovering a Secret Past

A woman from Northern Ontario is buried; her earthly papers reveal a mystery. Veteran Canadian journalist Jim Poling took on the most important assignment of his career: Just who was his mother? Why did she take a lifelong secret to her grave?

In his search for clues throughout his childhood years in Northern Ontario, the author goes to Chapleau, the railway town where the people he believed were his ancestors played out their roles in building the railway. It ends in the Prairie village of Innisfree, Alberta, home to Joe LaRose, convicted horse thief and father of a girl destined for trouble.

A search that began in anger at his mother's secrecy concludes with an understanding of her actions. In the process, he explores the place of families within Canadian society and reveals the shameful ongoing discrimination against Native Peoples and the abusive treatment of illegitimacy. Throughout, glimpses of working life in newsrooms add insider perspectives on the "handling" of our daily news.

A former Indian Affairs reporter, Poling shares insights into the ongoing plight of Canada's First Nations people. He observes that Canada will never realize its true potential until positive steps are taken to resolve longstanding issues.

Recommended

Format: Paperback

Temporarily Unavailable

1 person is interested in this title.

We receive 1 copy every 6 months.

Customer Reviews

1 rating

From an old news hound

Waking Nanabijou is an outstanding piece of work, beautifully crafted and meticulously researched. More than that, it is clearly the product of a wonderful labour of love. The rich details of Jim Poling Sr.'s close family life as a youngster in northern Ontario are particularly rich in warmth and drama. Some readers may guess the secret that is the book's foundation before the author reveals it. Nevertheless, Poling's story line about following old trails until he came to the truth reads like a great mystery novel. The final chapter of Waking Nanabijou is disturbing in its unvarnished clarity about the stark situation facing Canada's First Peoples. Poling raises many questions here. They deserve answers.
Copyright © 2025 Thriftbooks.com Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information | Cookie Policy | Cookie Preferences | Accessibility Statement
ThriftBooks ® and the ThriftBooks ® logo are registered trademarks of Thrift Books Global, LLC
GoDaddy Verified and Secured