Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.

Killing the Wittigo

Indigenous Culture-Based Approaches to Waking Up, Taking Action, and Doing the Work of Healing

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

An unflinching reimagining of Legacy: Trauma, Story, and Indigenous Healing for young adults

Written specifically for young adults, reluctant readers, and literacy learners, Killing the Wittigo explains the traumatic effects of colonization on Indigenous people and communities and how trauma alters an individual's brain, body, and behavior. It explores how learned patterns of behavior — the ways people adapt to trauma to survive — are passed down within family systems, thereby affecting the functioning of entire communities. The book foregrounds Indigenous resilience through song lyrics and as-told-to stories by young people who have started their own journeys of decolonization, healing, and change. It also details the transformative work being done in urban and on-reserve communities through community-led projects and Indigenous-run institutions and community agencies. These stories offer concrete examples of the ways in which Indigenous peoples and communities are capable of healing in small and big ways — and they challenge readers to consider what the dominant society must do to create systemic change. Full of bold graphics and illustration, Killing the Wittigo is a much-needed resource for Indigenous kids and the people who love them and work with them.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

  • Formats

  • Languages

  • Levels

  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      April 15, 2023
      This is an uncomfortable book to read--but it is meant to be. This concise but broad-ranging work examines the lasting emotional and psychological impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada. Experienced educator Methot (Nehiyaw) discusses many difficult subjects in chapters such as "Terror Anger Grief Loss," "Isolation, Disconnection, Reconnection," "Families and Relationships," "Dis-ease and Self-Care," "Systems and Institutions," and "Culture and Spirit." The chapter on lateral violence, intracommunity dysfunction that is usually not openly addressed, is particularly valuable. Throughout, activities help readers learn about themselves and process what they have read. An important author's note emphasizes that this book is not a substitute for getting help from a trusted adult. Although there are disclaimers before content about topics like abuse, neglect, and suicide, there are instances of traumatic stories that are not prefaced with a warning; in her introduction, Methot emphasizes pacing your reading to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Along with a variety of fonts, line art, and interesting graphics and charts, quotes and social media posts from young Indigenous people discussing their experiences add to the mixed-media appeal. These voices also give readers the feeling that they are not alone. The book does not delve into differences between various nations' histories or U.S. and Canadian governments' policies. Throughout, there's an emphasis on healing and connecting; readers are reminded to "be a good ancestor" and "do more than survive, thrive." A valuable introduction to Indigenous culture-based approaches to trauma. (resources, citations, and permissions) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • Booklist

      Starred review from April 15, 2023
      Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Educator and agency worker Methot (Rocky Mountain Cree) offers young adults suggestions for breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma (in Indigenous terms, killing the wittigo) in order to live their best lives. Writing from a trauma-informed perspective and mindfully including triggering warnings, she provides examples of colonialism-based practices that damage Indigenous peoples, explains how this stress is passed down in families, and provides some examples of healing at work. Individual chapters address terror, anger, grief, and loss (and the importance of confronting one's issues); identity and control (with historical and contemporary examples of institutional racism); isolation, disconnection, and reconnection (including strategies for getting help); lateral violence (cruelty turned upon one's own community); families and relationships (setting boundaries and taking control); disease and self-care (how toxic stress can lead to maladies); the importance of telling one's own story in order to move beyond the past; systems and institutions (with emphasis on how colonialism is used to maintain power over Indigenous peoples); and how culture and spirit can promote healing. Black-andred line art and graphics--including charts, graphs, quotations, and poems--serve to break up the text, and appended websites and notes provide additional support. While Indigenous teens are the obvious audience, this is an eye-opening and important resource for anyone concerned with North America's colonial legacy.

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:940
  • Text Difficulty:4-6

Loading