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Robertson, A. David. (2020). **<u>Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory.</u>**
Toronto: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

Reviewed by: Jude Cormack, MacEwan University

David Robertson's "Black Water: Family, Legacy and Blood Memory" is a touching memoir about homecoming, acceptance and interconnectedness. The author speaks to the lasting effects of intergenerational trauma, as well as the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes amongst his peers, both children and adults alike, against First Nations peoples. Robertson discusses his journey to reconnecting and accepting his Indigenous roots after his Cree father and white mother had agreed not to tell their children that they were First Nations until they were older. Robertson touches on the importance of connectedness to his family, his culture and to the land and how integral it was for his identity to reclaim parts of himself he had previously hidden. Robertson speaks about Residential Schools, and the long-lasting impact forced Christianity and colonialism have had on Indigenous communities and his close relatives. Robertson details his family's loss of their ancestral trapline due to the Family Allowances Act of 1945 and how his father, Don, could only return for brief periods rather than the traditional nine months he would have spent camping there before. Together, Robertson and his father journey to their family's ancestral trapline, and the audience glimpses their vital link to each other and to their heritage.

Robertson describes his parents' separation, having spent ten years only seeing his father
on weekends and for golf games. He equates the disconnect with his father to an emotional barrier and begins to feel a profound sense of loss and confusion heading into his teenage years. While the author generates meaningful conversations around intergenerational trauma and biases within the community, he also discusses the impact of living with separated parents. Robertson briefly touches on how his parents' separation added to his confusion around his identity and how being raised solely by his mom had implications on his future sense of self. His parents end up reuniting, and although this process took years, Robertson describes the prevailing circumstances of their reunion as feeling “quick and easy.” (p. 267.) Though the author doesn't equate unlearning internalized racism as easy by any means, the peace he expresses after his parents reconvene is similar to the connectedness he feels to his roots now despite initially having such difficulty with it.

A prevalent theme in the memoir is that of internalized racism and intergenerational trauma. Throughout the book, Robertson discusses how his parents' decision to withhold information about their childrens' heritage, though well-intentioned, was detrimental. Though Robertson's parents were only trying to protect their three sons by not educating them on their culture or their language, they contributed to Robertson's confusion about his identity. Even after Robertson confronted his father, who told him that he and his brothers were Indigenous, Robertson details his efforts to hide that part of himself and fit in with the white kids. In Mitataht-Pēyakosap (Chapter Eleven), Robertson explains that if he perpetuated the stereotypes and laughed at the racial slurs, he could attempt to distract his peers from noticing that he himself was Indigenous. Robertson explains:
The jokes weren't about me. The racial slurs weren't about me. You know them. I know them. I knew them. I said them, because what if I didn't? At night, I would ...promise myself that things would change tomorrow. I'd throw the hat out. I wouldn't laugh at the jokes. I'd say, "Yeah, I'm Native," and not care what anybody else thought. Then I'd break that promise. I'd go to school the next day with my hat fastened tightly around my head like a vice and smile through the jokes and the slurs as broadly as Chief Wahoo (pp. 276-77).

Despite having an incredibly well-accomplished, well-educated Cree man as a role model, Robertson found it challenging to decipher between the truth – that Indigenous people are, above all, people – and the harmful stereotypes perpetuated within society.

Another central theme throughout the book is that of blood memory and ancestral veneration. Earlier in the memoir, Robertson's father, Don, attributes his adaptability to the strength of his ancestors, which he refers to as blood memory. Though the author touches on contemporary subjects, such as racism and the consequences of colonialism, he reconnects with his ancestors on his journey to their trapline. Robertson details his near-instinctual images of his pre-colonial ancestors, making the same trip he and his father are making. There are multiple instances throughout Robertson's journey in which he feels a deep connection to his ancestors, though one of the most prevalent occurs when he and his father first get on the water. Robertson writes, "...I can't help but imagine a group of canoes full of relatives, my relatives, heading back to the community after spending months on land together. I can't help but feel the way they must've felt, their excitement knowing that their family and friends were waiting for them on shore..." (p 264.) The author describes experiencing a serene sense of peace despite his previous anxiety and expresses the relief of feeling at home. Robertson expands upon this feeling, explain-
ing that even if they had suddenly decided to turn around and end the journey, he knew that they
“were home either way.” (p 264.)

In terms of academic audiences, Robertson's memoir is relevant to social sciences, such as
sociology and psychology, social work and social policy. While no one person can speak for an
entire community, Robertson's memoir is culturally significant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous
communities alike. Robertson's experience as a child with separated parents is one that various
people around the world can relate to, especially his wish for his parents to reconvene. The author
speaks to social issues, such as racism and ignorance, and how he himself participated in
discrimination as a way of protecting himself. Robertson's parents' decision to withhold part of
their children's identities was a symptom of intergenerational trauma; their father wanted to protect
his children from the same discrimination he'd experienced his entire life. Robertson demonstrates
the way cultural differences can divide, yet he simultaneously illustrates how cultural differences
have the power to connect. Despite the disconnect Robertson had from his father for years, the two
rekindled their relationship in a long-lasting, meaningful way that might not have been possible if
there hadn't been a disconnect in the first place. In addition to providing insight for non-Indigenous
peoples, Robertson's memoir serves as a powerful reminder to check our own biases in the same
way that he describes checking his. Understanding our own pre-conceived biases can allow for
meaningful change in any academic field, though this is especially true for the fields mentioned
previously.

Robertson's writing style is a graceful balance between refreshingly new and tried and true.
Robertson's memoir stands out not only because of his emotional journey to his father's ancestral
trapline but because it defies one's expectations of typical memoirs. The author's telling of his life, as well as his father's life and their journey together, is not linear. Robertson intertwines the reflection of his memories with that of his and his father's shared adventure. The author's expert use of simile and his attention to detail paints a vivid picture for his readers. Robertson's beautiful retelling familiarises the audience with his family, and especially with his father, who has since passed away. Robertson continuously uses clear, intimate language, giving a lasting warmth to his audience long after they have finished reading. David A. Robertson has immortalized his father in this memoir, and his book will have a lasting impact on future generations of Indigenous peoples seeking to reconnect with their roots, as well as those who wish to familiarise themselves with the lives of contemporary Indigenous peoples.