This novel deals with important issues: the inter-generational impact of Indian rersidential schools; sexual and physical abuse; and the racism many aboriginal Canadians face even today. James Bartleman has written a novel that tracks the life of Martha Whiteduck. At age six, she is sent to residential school hundreds of miles from home, where she is sexually abused. She returns to her reserve only to become pregnant and alcholic at 16. Much later, she moves to Toronto and must learn to live in a culture that is foreign to her. Finally, she returns to her reserve and begins a process of healing and rebuilding her family. Through it all the characters are well developed and the plot moves along nicely. However, I found the dialogue didn't ring true. It seemed like the author was trying to tell the reader something rather than portraying interactions among the characters. The author also relied too much, in my opinion, on coincidences to carry the story. Still worth reading, though, for the insight it provides and the faults I've mentioned don't overwhelm the story. ( )

"If you are going to read one book to glimpse what it's like to be an aboriginal in this country, this novel should be the one."

So says part of a review on the back of "As Long As The Rivers Flow" and I heartily concur. One of the greatest strengths of this of novel is it's great breadth and comprehensive look at what life is like for Canada's First Nations People, particularly the damage done to survivors of residential schools and subsequent generations.

In the the very early 1960's, protagonist Martha Whiteduck , aged six, is taken from her family on the the Cat Lake Reservation in Northern Ontario and flown to a Residential School.The goal of the residential school , run by Catholic nuns and a priest, is to rid children of their Aboriginal culture and "heathen beliefs", and create a "European- Canadian " children. This involved beatings from the nuns, and sadly in Martha's case, a Priest with an an attraction to pre- pubescent girls.

Many years later Martha returns to Cat Lake from the Residential School, full of anger, and no longer comfortable on the Reserve. Filled with anger at her mother, and bereft of parenting skills, Martha soon becomes a mother herself. Sadly, Martha's drinking, inability to care for herself and her child, result in baby Spider being removed by the Ontario Children's Society and the baby is put up for adoption.

From there the story covers much ground, from the racism encountered by aboriginals trying to live off the Reserve, to living on the streets of Toronto, to the hopelessness and self destructiveness felt by subsequent generations of who have lived in residential schools. Despite the sorrow, suicide pacts, and many bumps in the road encountered by Martha, this story is ultimately one of redemption and healing.

Another great strength of author James Bartleman is his ability to create characters who are neither all bad, nor all good, but just people struggling to fulfill human needs. Even the pedophilic priest is painted with a measure of sympathy.

Author James Bartleman , is Ojibwa, and a former Lieutenant Governer of Ontario , as well as a recipient of the Order of Canada. I've read quite a few books about Canada's First Nation's People, but this book stands out in it's ability to shed so much light on the plight and challenges that face Canada's Aboriginal /First Nations people.

Bravo to author James Bartleman for a comprehensive and insight-filled novel.

Highly recommended
4 stars. ( )

James Bartleman is Ojibwe and the former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Canada. He has written a worthwhile novel, examining the nightmare of sexual, physical and psychological abuse perpetrated on First Nations children by priests, nuns and other workers in Canadian residential schools. Nothing is left out -- violence, drug and alcohol abuse, rampant diabetes, child neglect, the suicide epidemic in First Nations communities, institutional racism . . . The book will be an eye-opener for those unacquainted with the challenges facing First Nations people.

From that standpoint, it's an important book, but unfortunately the writing is at times far too expository, and the characters not quite complex enough. The ending, as well, didn't ring true for me -- it was all too neat, too philosophically tidy. The problem with using a novel to bring attention to a cause (and it feels as though that was Barleman's intention, albeit a noble one) is that while the cause may be helped, the literature often suffers.

Having said that, if you are concerned with First Nations people, and want a real glimpse at what life can be like under the yoke of governmental 'assistance' -- read on; you'll learn a great deal. ( )