My Indian

My Indian tells the story of Sylvester, a member of the Mi’kmaw tribe, who is a very skilled guide. He loves the land and his people. To him, the land is a sacred place that must be cared for and respected. “He became a part of the land.” (p. 11) He is familiar with the mysterious Beothuk people who also inhabit Newfoundland. Although the Beothuks were at times the enemies of his people, Sylvester respects their tribal traditions and their right to live on the land in peace. For two years, his grandfather had been a captive of this tribe in his youth. Sylvester is very aware that white men are trying to destroy what is left of the Beothuks.

Sylvester is adventurous and, at age 16, travels to Nova Scotia to meet other Mi’kmaw tribesmen and expand his trapping skills. When he arrives back in Newfoundland, a white man named Cormack wants him to guide him to find the Beothuks. He is well aware that this could be the end of the tribe. Cormack starts their relationship by calling him, “My Indian,” and treats him like a servant. Sylvester agrees to guide Cormack but decides to keep him far away from the Beothuks.

My Indian is an interesting and historically significant narrative about the trek taken by William Cormack and Sylvester Joe through Newfoundland looking for the Beothuk tribe. It is based on Cormack’s journal from 1822 which describes their trip. Together, they experience great dangers of the wilderness – wild animals, difficult terrain, and freezing conditions. In the end, they do not find the Beothuks – just as Sylvester had planned. Cormack is a bully and mistreats Sylvester. His blatant racial slurs, and even the very title of this novel, may be difficult to handle for some readers. Although, in the end, the two men do seem to understand each other.

Chief Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill re-imagine the story of Sylvester Joe from an Indigenous perspective. My Indian will appeal to readers who enjoy adventure, Canadian history, and exciting storylines.

This novel gives readers wonderful details about Newfoundland’s history, topography, climate, weather, and Indigenous peoples. It is also a strong reminder of our responsibility to our environment, “This land is Mother Earth. It provides nourishment to my body, my heart, and my spirit. It provides everything I need to survive on this land…This land is not mine or yours. It belongs to all the living creatures; it belongs to all of us. And we are all responsible for this land that we walk on.” (p. 71)