"The beauty of Soucy's Waswanipi, so brilliantly translated by Peter McCambridge, is that it recounts in the most human of terms, the eyes of youth, an important transformation of one of Quebec?s peoples. This is a tale steeped in friendship and understanding, too seldom heard in the polarizing politics of our day." Ian Thomas Shaw, The Ottawa Review of Books
“? short but very readable importance piece of historical literature (?) Soucy is adept at showing, not telling in his writing as he traverses water and land, villages and forest, contemporary white society and traditional Cree culture. He is an observer and learner.” Daniel J. Rowe, Montreal Review of Books
“Soucy's narrative vividly recalls a time when the traditional life--living off the land, hunting, fishing, gathering--was still possible for the Cree Community, before the residential school system and relentless extraction of resources changed everything.” Julie McGonegal, (Quill and Quire)
“(Waswanipi is a story brimming with big ideas to be savoured slowly. Soucy demonstrates great storytelling with an impressive memory for details and the translation is expertly handled by Peter McCambridge.” (The Nation (The Cree Nation News))
“I always had this fascination about how it was in the days to meet the Other for the first time. Young, my late Dad would tell me about his first encounters, and how he translated through those encounters the challenges to come for our people. Jean-Yves Soucy's story and encounter with my Dad provides a charming glimpse into a changing world, for us all. ” Romeo Saganash, Former Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees
“an appeal to generosity and openness? This beautifully written?and witty?story becomes particularly significant through the encounter of two cultures, the overcoming of ignorance or distrust that separates them, and the prejudice that such ignorance can produce. ” Jean-Paul Beaumier, Nuit Blanche
“Waswanipi is summer gift to be savoured, slowly; a timeless read that is like a walk in the forest when nothing else counts. ” Yvon Paré, Littérature du Québec
“A book that feels like a movie. Romeo Saganash has written a moving afterword, thus completing the story whose author passed away before completing it. ” Mathieu Lavigne, Radio Ville-Marie
“Waswanipi is brimming with curiosity, tenderness and humanity an ode to friendship and reconciliation with our indigenous brothers and sisters. ” Christian Desmeules, Le Devoir
