Shelagh remembers Robert Arthur Alexie

I was shocked andsaddened to learn that the Gwich'in leader, writer, musician, and photographer Robert Arthur Alexie Jr.is dead. A few years ago, Theytus Books re-released his 1992novel Porcupines and China Dolls. I read it and I was devastated, heart-smashed, and absolutelyin awe of his writing.

Dramatic, raw, merciless, Porcupines and China Dollsis not a bookyou coast through. It is about our history and whathappened to "The People", as Alexie writes,whenthe Europeans arrived. The story reaches into the past, but the past is the present.

The focus ison forty year oldJames Nathan, a funny guy, a charmer, and aSurvivorof residential school. He was aporcupine,like all the boys who on their first day at residential school had their hair shearedoff. The china dolls are the girls who had their hair cut into a short Prince Valiant style. Theirlanguage, culture, and spirituality were forbidden and thepunishment for practicing any of those elements was severe, even at the age of five. One day watching TV, Jake, James' best friend,sees the priest who sexually abused him. Will Jake disclose what happened to him? Will he get the help that will lead to healing? Will James share his own story? The bookconcludes with amasterfully wrought community healing workshop.

I recall aSurvivor,Elder Reg Crowshoe, speaking attheAlberta gathering of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in March. He said "We may be through with the past,but is the pastthrough with us?" In Porcupines and China Dolls,Alexie says no. Forthose whomay think it's time to "get over it", this novel lays out the trauma and the scars that aregenerations old and why it will take generations. It is a bracing read. Alexie, and it is hard to use the past tense, was a fine writer with a great ear for dialogue and a deep compassion. It is clear from his writing that he loved the land. Richard van Camp called his writing hard but good medicine.

I met Robert at another TRC event, thenorthern gathering in Inuvik. He was Presidentof the Gwich'in Tribal Council. The first thing I noticed was that hecarried himself so well. He stood tall,even though he had about four heavycameras strappedaround his neck. He was friendly, funny -- even on first meeting he teased me -- and he washumble.

Last Monday, his family confirmed that he was found dead on the Dempster Highway outside Fort McPherson, NWT. He was my age,58. My condolences to his family and friends and to the Gwich'in People. I am sorry for your loss. And ours as readers.

--Shelagh

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Richard Van Camp is a storyteller and best-selling author, and a member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Click here to listen to Richard's reflections on the significance of Robert Arthur Alexie's novel Porcupines and China Dolls.