Pre-owned
Good condition paperback - biography
One Native Life is a critically acclaimed 2008 memoir by the late Anishinaabe (Ojibway) author and journalist Richard Wagamese. Written from a cabin near Kamloops, British Columbia, the book serves as a reflective, healing retrospective on Wagamese’s 52-year journey toward reclaiming his Indigenous identity, overcoming a traumatic childhood in the foster care system, and surviving adult alcoholism.
Structure and Key Themes
The memoir breaks away from traditional linear autobiography, opting instead for a series of poignant vignettes structured around the Ojibway Medicine Wheel. The book is divided into four distinct sections named after foundational elements:
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Ahki (Earth): Focuses on his grounding connection to nature and early childhood memories, including the healing language of fishing taught to him by a foster father.
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Ishskwaday (Fire): Explores the internal trials, passions, and struggles of his youth.
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Nibi (Water): Reflects on fluidity, emotional clarity, and his career paths.
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Ishpiming (Universe): Reaches a state of spiritual peace, broader perspective, and cosmic interconnectedness.
Throughout these chapters, Wagamese shares an eclectic mix of life experiences—from running away with the circus and playing baseball to attending sacred bundle ceremonies and meeting figures like Pierre Trudeau and Johnny Cash. Despite the hardships of displacement and racism, the overall tone of the book is profoundly gentle, uplifting, and centered on reconciliation and gratitude.
