The Marrow Thieves cover model Michael Snake shares how the book changed the way he sees himself
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a dystopian young adult novel set in a future where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow — and its professed ability to restore dreams to the dreamless.
The novel is currently a finalist for Canada Reads 2018, where it will be defended by singer-songwriter Jully Black. In anticipation of the debates, CBC Books asked a reader with a personal connection to each of the books in contention to tell us how the books impacted them.
Michael Snake is a Ho-Chunk and Rosebud Sioux teenager, and it's his face on the cover of The Marrow Thieves. Here's why the book means so much to him.
The Canada Reads debates, which are being hosted by Ali Hassan, take place March 26-29, 2018.
Growing up Indigenous
Before I read The Marrow Thieves, I felt like I was missing a sense of pride in myself. I was born in the small city of Sioux City, Iowa and grew up about 30 minutes south, on a reservation called Winnebago. As a kid I never understood the difference between me and anybody else. Growing up and experiencing racism first hand, whether it was through somebody or my own thoughts and feelings toward myself, was very hard on me. I used to think being an Indigenous person was almost like everyone else having something that I didn't.
Restoring a sense of pride
The Marrow Thieves rekindled my Indigenous pride. Its teachings of resilience through the relearning of your culture and people is really something that spoke to me. The ability to dream for me is a very important aspect of my spirituality as an Indigenous person. My dad always took me to Indigenous ceremonies as a kid and he still goes to this day. I never saw how important that was to me until I read about a world without that. The preservation of our culture is vital, especially in today's circumstances. The book helped me realize that I have something not a lot of people have. I have roots.
Looking to the future
The Marrow Thieves is an amazing read for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers, as it brings people into the future instead of a cloudy past. Many of our history books have been written by those on the side of colonization and portray modern-day Indigenous people as non-existent. Our complex past has been simplified to a sort of mythological present. In this book, we are portrayed as being the heroes of our own stories — not needing saving from the outside. I can't imagine the power our youth would have felt if this book had come about 10, even 20 years sooner. I am so glad this book is being taught to youth throughout the Americas — as it shows them a flight of bravery, self-identity, culture and magic. I hope to see The Marrow Thieves throw us into a revelation of resilience and strength in our own communities. Healing starts from within, and through literature like this.
The Marrow Thieves to me means the future. I don't mean the future in the sense of circumstances, but in the teachings it passes on to our young readers. It's hope for our upcoming generations.
The Canada Reads 2018 contenders:
- Mozhdah Jamalzadah, defending The Boat People by Sharon Bala
- Tahmoh Penikett, defending American War by Omar El Akkad
- Greg Johnson, defending Precious Cargo by Craig Davidson
- Jeanne Beker, defending Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto
- Jully Black, defending The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline