Firewater : how alcohol is killing my people (and yours)

Johnson, Harold 1957- (author.).

Summary: "In a passionate call to action, Harold Johnson, Cree trapper and Crown Prosecutor, examines alcohol--its history, its myths, and its devastating impact on his community. Confronting what he calls a crime against humanity--one in every two will die an alcohol-related death in northern communities--Johnson refuses to be silent any longer. Asserting that the "lazy, drunken Indian" story is a root cause of the alcohol problems, Johnson sets out to recast the narrative of his people, urging them to reject this racist description of who they are. In plain, frank language, Johnson calls on traditional stories, spirituality, and medical research for guidance. He also enlists the support of Indigenous artists and leaders, including contributions from Richard Van Camp and Tracey Lindberg. Written specifically for the people of Treaty 6, Firewater is relevant to anyone struggling with alcohol. A graduate of Harvard Law School and the author of six books, Harold R. Johnson is a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation and lives in La Ronge, Saskatchewan."--

Record details

ISBN: 9780889774377 (paperback)
ISBN: 0889774374 (paperback)
ISBN: 9780889774384
ISBN: 9780889774391
Physical Description: print
xiv, 180 pages : illustrations ; 19 cm.
Publisher: Regina, Saskatchewan : University of Regina Press, [2016]
Copyright: ©2016

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Part 1. Kayâs : a long time ago: Wîsahkicâhk's lost stories -- Part 2. How alcohol is killing my people: So the story goes ; Who am I to speak? ; The drunken Indian story ; A little bit more history to help put it in perspective ; A time before alcohol killed our people ; Going to the graveyard ; The Royal Commission on Aboriginal peoples and the Supreme Court ; Four models ; The trickster in the story ; Being frank : exposing the problem ; Costs of the alcohol story ; Employment ; The story we tell ourselves ; The story kiciwamanawak tell themselves ; Addictions ; The land ; It's all only a story ; Banning alcohol ; Treatment ; Leadership ; The storyteller ; Healing ; Community ; The sober house and the sober community -- Part 3. Letters from our scouts, the artists: A letter from Tracey Lindberg ; A letter from Richard Van Camp -- Part 4. Niyâk : for the future: Wîsahkicâhk returns to find out he is story -- Appendix: Treaty No.6.