Black Water
Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $27.96
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
David A. Robertson
-
Written by:
-
David A. Robertson
About this listen
A Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of the Year
A Quill & Quire Book of the Year
A CBC Books Nonfiction Book of the Year
A Maclean’s 20 Books You Need to Read this Winter
“An instant classic that demands to be read with your heart open and with a perspective widened to allow in a whole new understanding of family, identity and love.” (Cherie Dimaline)
In this best-selling memoir, a son who grew up away from his Indigenous culture takes his Cree father on a trip to the family trapline and finds that revisiting the past not only heals old wounds but creates a new future
The son of a Cree father and a white mother, David A. Robertson grew up with virtually no awareness of his Indigenous roots. His father, Dulas - or Don, as he became known - lived on the trapline in the bush in Manitoba, only to be transplanted permanently to a house on the reserve, where he couldn’t speak his language, Swampy Cree, in school with his friends unless in secret. David’s mother, Beverly, grew up in a small Manitoba town that had no Indigenous people until Don arrived as the new United Church minister. They married and had three sons, whom they raised unconnected to their Indigenous history.
David grew up without his father’s teachings or any knowledge of his early experiences. All he had was “blood memory”: the pieces of his identity ingrained in the fabric of his DNA, pieces that he has spent a lifetime putting together. It has been the journey of a young man becoming closer to who he is, who his father is and who they are together, culminating in a trip back to the trapline to reclaim their connection to the land.
Black Water is a memoir about intergenerational trauma and healing, about connection and about how Don’s life informed David’s own. Facing up to a story nearly erased by the designs of history, father and son journey together back to the trapline at Black Water and through the past to create a new future.
©2020 David A. Robertson (P)2020 HarperCollins PublishersYou may also enjoy...
-
For Joshua
- An Ojibway Father Teaches His Son
- Written by: Richard Wagamese
- Narrated by: Craig Lauzon
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Staring the modern world in the eye, Richard Wagamese confronts its snares and perils. He sees people coveting without knowing why, looking for roots without understanding what constitutes home, searching for acceptance without extending reciprocal respect, and longing for love without knowing how to offer it. He sees this because he lived it. For Joshua is Wagamese's love letter to his estranged son. Ojibway tradition calls for fathers to walk their children through the world and teach them their place in it. To teach them they belong.
-
-
A Canadian classic
- By Krow Fischer on 2019-08-18
Written by: Richard Wagamese
-
One Drum
- Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet
- Written by: Richard Wagamese
- Narrated by: Christian Baskous
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One Drum draws from the foundational teachings of Ojibway tradition, the Grandfather Teachings. Focusing specifically on the lessons of humility, respect, and courage, the volume contains simple ceremonies that anyone anywhere can do, alone or in a group, to foster harmony and connection. Wagamese believed that there is a shaman in each of us, that we are all teachers, and in the world of the spirit, there is no right way or wrong way.
-
-
Engaging and thoughtful
- By Anonymous User on 2020-01-09
Written by: Richard Wagamese
-
Valley of the Birdtail
- An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation
- Written by: Andrew Stobo Sniderman, Douglas Sanderson
- Narrated by: Greg Rogers
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Divided by a beautiful valley and 150 years of racism, the town of Rossburn and the Waywayseecappo Indian reserve have been neighbours nearly as long as Canada has been a country. Their story reflects much of what has gone wrong in relations between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. It also offers, in the end, an uncommon measure of hope. Valley of the Birdtail is about how two communities became separate and unequal—and what it means for the rest of us.
-
-
Essential reading for Canadians
- By Anonymous User on 2022-11-25
Written by: Andrew Stobo Sniderman, and others
-
Who We Are
- Four Questions For a Life and a Nation
- Written by: Murray Sinclair, Sara Sinclair, Niigaan Sinclair
- Narrated by: Murray Sinclair, Niigaan Sinclair, Shelagh Rogers
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Judge, senator, and activist. Father, grandfather, and friend. This is Murray Sinclair’s story—and the story of a nation—in his own words, an oral history that forgoes the trappings of the traditionally written memoir to center Indigenous ways of knowledge and storytelling. As Canada moves forward into the future of Reconciliation, one of its greatest leaders guides us to ask the most important and difficult question we can ask of ourselves: Who are we?
-
-
Hidden gem
- By vj on 2024-11-04
Written by: Murray Sinclair, and others
-
The Librarian of Burned Books
- A Novel
- Written by: Brianna Labuskes
- Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt, Eleanor Caudill, Karissa Vacker
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For fans of The Rose Code and The Paris Library, The Librarian of Burned Books is a captivating WWII-era novel about the intertwined fates of three women who believe in the power of books to triumph over the very darkest moments of war.
-
-
Absolutely outstanding
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-05-03
Written by: Brianna Labuskes
-
Truth Telling
- Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada
- Written by: Michelle Good
- Narrated by: Megan Tooley
- Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With authority and insight, Truth Telling examines a wide range of Indigenous issues framed by Michelle Good’s personal experience and knowledge. From racism, broken treaties, and cultural pillaging, to the value of Indigenous lives and the importance of Indigenous literature, this collection reveals facts about Indigenous life in Canada that are both devastating and enlightening.
-
-
Excellent information
- By Deborah E Harcus on 2023-06-15
Written by: Michelle Good
-
For Joshua
- An Ojibway Father Teaches His Son
- Written by: Richard Wagamese
- Narrated by: Craig Lauzon
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Staring the modern world in the eye, Richard Wagamese confronts its snares and perils. He sees people coveting without knowing why, looking for roots without understanding what constitutes home, searching for acceptance without extending reciprocal respect, and longing for love without knowing how to offer it. He sees this because he lived it. For Joshua is Wagamese's love letter to his estranged son. Ojibway tradition calls for fathers to walk their children through the world and teach them their place in it. To teach them they belong.
-
-
A Canadian classic
- By Krow Fischer on 2019-08-18
Written by: Richard Wagamese
-
One Drum
- Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet
- Written by: Richard Wagamese
- Narrated by: Christian Baskous
- Length: 4 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One Drum draws from the foundational teachings of Ojibway tradition, the Grandfather Teachings. Focusing specifically on the lessons of humility, respect, and courage, the volume contains simple ceremonies that anyone anywhere can do, alone or in a group, to foster harmony and connection. Wagamese believed that there is a shaman in each of us, that we are all teachers, and in the world of the spirit, there is no right way or wrong way.
-
-
Engaging and thoughtful
- By Anonymous User on 2020-01-09
Written by: Richard Wagamese
-
Valley of the Birdtail
- An Indian Reserve, a White Town, and the Road to Reconciliation
- Written by: Andrew Stobo Sniderman, Douglas Sanderson
- Narrated by: Greg Rogers
- Length: 10 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Divided by a beautiful valley and 150 years of racism, the town of Rossburn and the Waywayseecappo Indian reserve have been neighbours nearly as long as Canada has been a country. Their story reflects much of what has gone wrong in relations between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. It also offers, in the end, an uncommon measure of hope. Valley of the Birdtail is about how two communities became separate and unequal—and what it means for the rest of us.
-
-
Essential reading for Canadians
- By Anonymous User on 2022-11-25
Written by: Andrew Stobo Sniderman, and others
-
Who We Are
- Four Questions For a Life and a Nation
- Written by: Murray Sinclair, Sara Sinclair, Niigaan Sinclair
- Narrated by: Murray Sinclair, Niigaan Sinclair, Shelagh Rogers
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Judge, senator, and activist. Father, grandfather, and friend. This is Murray Sinclair’s story—and the story of a nation—in his own words, an oral history that forgoes the trappings of the traditionally written memoir to center Indigenous ways of knowledge and storytelling. As Canada moves forward into the future of Reconciliation, one of its greatest leaders guides us to ask the most important and difficult question we can ask of ourselves: Who are we?
-
-
Hidden gem
- By vj on 2024-11-04
Written by: Murray Sinclair, and others
-
The Librarian of Burned Books
- A Novel
- Written by: Brianna Labuskes
- Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt, Eleanor Caudill, Karissa Vacker
- Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For fans of The Rose Code and The Paris Library, The Librarian of Burned Books is a captivating WWII-era novel about the intertwined fates of three women who believe in the power of books to triumph over the very darkest moments of war.
-
-
Absolutely outstanding
- By Amazon Customer on 2024-05-03
Written by: Brianna Labuskes
-
Truth Telling
- Seven Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada
- Written by: Michelle Good
- Narrated by: Megan Tooley
- Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With authority and insight, Truth Telling examines a wide range of Indigenous issues framed by Michelle Good’s personal experience and knowledge. From racism, broken treaties, and cultural pillaging, to the value of Indigenous lives and the importance of Indigenous literature, this collection reveals facts about Indigenous life in Canada that are both devastating and enlightening.
-
-
Excellent information
- By Deborah E Harcus on 2023-06-15
Written by: Michelle Good
What listeners say about Black Water
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mel VP
- 2023-01-01
Incredible memoir
This story was just lovely to listen to. Grateful to the author for narrating it so beautifully. Have it in print but wanted to hear it read by him as well.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- RCast
- 2022-02-26
Searching for family and identity
Really enjoyed the themes in this book. Thank you for sharing your family's story and your search for identity. I found the book incredibly touching and recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about indigenous stories and the search for home.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2021-08-09
Epic, David!
This is an important story to be told on so many levels. I love that your children & children's children will have words to explain their blood memory. I love the facts that you've researched, about Canadian Indigenous history and intertwined them in such a personal story. Congratulations David.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-01-06
great story
love love love the story but the readers voice sounds like there getting over a cold.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!