Minwa pijawok! This means ‘welcome’ in the Anishnnabemowin language spoken by the Spirit Bear Point First Nation in Crow Winter. I was given an advanced reader copy of this book by HarperCollins Canada and, since I still have a lot to learn about First Nations and Canada, this was the perfect read. With beautiful storytelling, illustrations, and a compelling storyline, Crow Winter is one of my favourite books this year.
I moved to Canada only a couple years ago and since then, I have learned a bit about the First Nations culture. Crow Winter taught me so much more and I am honoured that I got the chance to read this book about First Nations traditions and loyalty to the community! Told in alternating narratives by Hazel and Nanabush, this is an amazing story of loss, preservation, of growing and being open to new things, because even the strangest and un-realest of things have something to teach us.
Hazel has returned to her home at Spirit Bear Point First Nation after the death of her father. This is her time to recuperate and restart life after this tragic loss, but little does she know that there is a bigger purpose for her return. She meets Nanabush, a Demi-god that walks on Earth as crow. He has been sent to help her, except neither know clearly what he is helping with. What starts out as an unwanted relationship, it turns into a strong friendship and one which teaches both Hazel and Nanabush about themselves, about the strength that they possess, and the length to which they would go to save their community.
I enjoyed reading Crow Winter and am grateful for getting a glimpse into the First Nations community through the members of the Spirit Bear Point First Nation and learning about the Seven Grandfathers, their teachings, and being part of a sweat lodge were other highlights for me.
Themes for Thought
There is so much that I can write about this book! I will focus on friendship, healing, community, and redemption.
On Redemption and Healing
There have been times in life when I have done things that I wanted to be forgiven for, or fallen in a cycle that I wanted to get out of. Both Hazel and Nanabush portray these sentiments. While Hazel is still trying to come to terms with her father’s demise, Nanabush is tired of being stuck between the living and the spirit world. He wants to have roots in one place, while Hazel is rediscovering her roots.
By working together, Hazel and Nanabush are given a chance at redemption and healing. Nanabush has always been talked about as the trickster and the world has forgotten his contributions. By helping Hazel, he rediscovers himself. Together, the two are able to heal each other, provide support to one another, and get closer to the life they are supposed to be lead.
On Friendships
Hazel finds a friend in Nanabush, something she never imagined. After coming to terms with the fact that she can see and talk to him, and, hence, there must be a bigger reason for that to be possible, she becomes more receptive to what he is saying. She starts to believe that as much as helping her helps him, he might actually be genuine. This cooperation and faith in him leads the two of them to work together.
On History and Cultures
Karen teaches the reader about the First Nations cultures and history by weaving it into Hazel’s story in an intricate manner. Nanabush takes her back to the past and reminds her of the sacredness of the land. Through this journey, and their findings, Hazel is also able to uncover truths buried in time. She realises that it is in her hands to take action and use the information that she has gathered to make her case.
“Make sure that you tell the story instead of writing it down. From what I’ve seen, people tend to take the written work too seriously. Truth and lies and stories have a hard time working together.”
Touching on some of the ways in which First Nations were mistreated when colonisation first happened, Crow Winter portrays one girl’s attempt to keep her home intact and spiritual beliefs alive by making sure that past wrongs are not repeated again. People might have changed and the work might move on to use to technology, but some cycles have a tendency to repeat and, should be broken. The help that Hazel gets from her family and community members in these trying times is also a characteristic of the First Nations cultures. Having the opportunity to connect with and talk to Karen helped increase my knowledge further.
I was also able to learn more about the power of dream catchers. I always had one by my side when I was growing up and love drawing them.
If you are looking to let your imagination fly, and the world be challenged, to debate the presence of spiritual beings, and rethink what fantasy might look like when rooted in belief, customs, and folklore, Crow Winter will no doubt offer more than you can hope for.
Crow Winter is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
Will you be picking up Crow Winter? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Nanabush. A name that has a certain weight on the tongue—a taste. Like lit sage in a windowless room or aluminum foil on a metal filling.
Trickster. Storyteller. Shape-shifter. An ancient troublemaker with the power to do great things, only he doesn’t want to put in the work.
Since coming home to Spirit Bear Point First Nation, Hazel Ellis has been dreaming of an old crow. He tells her he’s here to help her, save her. From what, exactly? Sure, her dad’s been dead for almost two years and she hasn’t quite reconciled that grief, but is that worth the time of an Algonquin demigod?
Soon Hazel learns that there’s more at play than just her own sadness and doubt. The quarry that’s been lying unsullied for over a century on her father’s property is stirring the old magic that crosses the boundaries between this world and the next. With the aid of Nanabush, Hazel must unravel a web of deceit that, if left untouched, could destroy her family and her home on both sides of the Medicine Wheel.
