My Indian

***2022 ATLANTIC BOOK AWARDS: APMA BEST ATLANTIC-PUBLISHED BOOK AWARD – SHORTLIST***

***2022 BMO WINTERSET AWARD – LONGLIST***

***2022-2023 HACKMATACK AWARD: ENGLISH FICTION – SHORTLIST***

***2022 IPPY AWARDS: MULTICULTURAL FICTION: JUV/YA – SILVER***

In 1822, William Epps Cormack sought the expertise of a guide who could lead him across Newfoundland in search of the last remaining Beothuk camps on the island. In his journals, Cormack refers to his guide only as “My Indian.”

Now, almost two hundred years later, Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill reclaim the story of Sylvester Joe, the Mi’kmaw guide engaged by Cormack. In a remarkable feat of historical fiction, My Indian follows Sylvester Joe from his birth (in what is now known as Miawpukek First Nation) and early life in his community to his journey across the island with Cormack. But will Sylvester Joe lead Cormack to the Beothuk, or will he protect the Beothuk and lead his colonial explorer away?

In rewriting the narrative of Cormack’s journey from the perspective of his Mi’kmaw guide, My Indian reclaims Sylvester Joe’s identity.

AUTHOR

Mi’sel Joe

AUTHOR

Sheila O’Neill

Review

“My Indian an essential resource on Newfoundland & Labrador Indigenous history.”

– The Telegram

“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.”

– CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“I really enjoyed visualizing their journey, and just everything written in the story. It was a very interesting little piece of history. I liked the real backstory included at the end of the story with all the facts and pictures.”

– Digitally Lit