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Peyakow

Reclaiming Cree Dignity

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Peyakow

Written by: Darrel J. McLeod
Narrated by: William C. Wikcemna Yamni ake
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About this listen

Mamaskatch, Darrel J. McLeod’s 2018 memoir of growing up Cree in Northern Alberta, was a publishing sensation - winning the Governor General’s Award for Nonfiction, shortlisted for many other major prizes, and translated into French and German editions. In Peyakow, McLeod continues the poignant story of his impoverished youth, beset by constant fears of being dragged down by the self-destruction and deaths of those closest to him as he battles the bullying of White classmates, copes with the trauma of physical and sexual abuse, and endures painful separation from his family and culture. With steely determination, he triumphs: now, elementary teacher; now, school principal; now, head of an Indigenous delegation to the UN in Geneva; now, executive in the Government of Canada - and now, a celebrated author.

Brutally frank but buoyed throughout by McLeod’s unquenchable spirit, Peyakow - a title borrowed from the Cree word for “one who walks alone” - is an inspiring account of triumph against unimaginable odds. McLeod’s perspective as someone whose career path has crossed both sides of the Indigenous/White chasm resonates with particular force in today’s Canada.

©2021 Darrel J. McLeod (P)2021 Audible, Inc.
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What listeners say about Peyakow

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10/10

Thanks so much for sharing your story and unique journey through life. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the rest of your books.
Hiy Hiy..

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So much to learn

A book which took me to a deeper understanding of how little I know/understand the colonial system I have always just taken for granted and lived by. Written with gentleness and care.

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Powerful Story but Drags at the End a Bit

This is a very powerful story, and the beginning is quite interesting but it drags toward the end a bit.

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confusing

a critical review. the story ran back and fourth with no real story to weave. almost like reading his diary but only segments. a tough life I don't understand but i got the sense he's self centered and I'm assuming hurt a lot of people in his life. no body is perfect I also get that. he had some great insight to Canada and the politics behind the scenes and it seemed like a he had many accomplishments in his career with an always difficult government. I get why this book was made at a time like today. a sexually confused indigenous with transgender siblings and family. publisher must have thought perfect but I think with some guidance this story could have been a lot better. great performance by the reader. I think that's why i kept listening and in the end maybe i just don't get it being a person who didn't live a life like his.

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Interesting Read

Very informative perspective of his life. Provides an in-depth understanding of the intergenerational trauma of our Indigenous peoples.

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A disturbing memoir


This is a continuation of the story begun in "Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age"

It recounts Darrell's experiences as a negotiator and government official dealing with indigenous issues, both domestic and foreign.

He also recounts further crises within his own family. The latter is a tragic story, so much repeated in indigenous history in Canada.

Events are not described in chronological order, and the last chapter is almost surreal. The author passed away earlier this year.

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powerful book.

Learned more history. How a culture and people were almost made extinct. How the spirit can survive and even thrive. Very much enjoyed this book.

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Fascinating, with a few disconnects

I found this a very intriguing and wide-ranging examination of Canada's approach to indigenous rights, and a very personal perspective on the impact of what's happened here.
I was a little put off by a few sections that I think may not have come across as intended. Numerous very elaborate descriptions of wildly indulgent official meals on the public purse left a sour taste for me. Intentionally? That wasn't always clear.
A few leaps left me confused. Sudden talk about fruition of career aspirations when none had been previously mentioned, and sudden introduction of suicidal ideation were jarring. Reasons are clear enough, but the fact that the impulse was there seemed to come out of nowhere.
A tragedy on the writer's birthday also seemed to have more focus on the birthday.
Otherwise, I very much appreciated Mr McLeod's extraordinary perspective on the development of many governmental policies impacting indigenous people. I appreciated the insights into high-level meetings, and the barriers to progress.
I also deeply appreciated Mr McLeod's willingness to speak with candor and vulnerability about his career, his family and his personal life.
He so well communicated the energy of some collaborations and meetings that I found myself sharing soaring hopes for progress, even though I knew that outcomes fell far short of the vision.
For me, in my own journey with reconciliation, this is a valuable book.

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This guy …wow

This book is powerful , impactful. This man has a story and he tells it really really well . Now i relember why i kept this book. This is my second listen.

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Reconciliation

Amazing insight into our Colonial and Indigenous heritage. Provides a whole new understanding to the heart break of the Indigenous people.

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