![]() ![]() In this extraordinary and inspiring debut memoir, John Langan, starts from the bottom in life, losing his father to suicide and step-dad to drugs. On top of everything, John continues to carry on his people's culture by practicing and continuing ceremony. John's unique upbringing has helped him bring a unique perspectice to both his public service, and service to his country. John continues to apply his skills to his now full time job as a police constable whilst still serving his country with the Canadian Armed Forces part time. A graduate of the Indigenous Justice and Criminology Program at the University of Saskatchewan. John Langan is a Saulteaux/Cree indigenous man from Keeseekoose First Nation, Saskatchewan. Overall, Langan’s book might have worked best as two separate works that said, the second part does provide an intriguing window into First Nations life and faith, which may give some readers a new appreciation of some Indigenous people’s struggle to maintain longtime practices.Īn often moving memoir and an informative spiritual survey. He includes matter-of-fact commentary about gender distinctions in some ceremonies that reflect beliefs about women’s bodies and women’s spirituality as well as about ceremonial etiquette. Here, Langan offers detailed descriptions of various rituals and ceremonies, starting with the ones that he says are in danger of being lost forever. Although the first part of this book seems intended for all audiences, the second part, a guide to Indigenous spiritual practices (including a personal account of a multiday fast), appears to be directed primarily at Indigenous readers. ![]() The book includes matter-of-fact references to Indigenous spiritual practices, such as sweat lodges and smudges, as well as accounts of encounters with spirits the latter tales may require open-mindedness on the parts of many readers-which the author specifically requests. The account is full of vignettes of key moments in Langan’s life, including particularly moving accounts of his courtship of Bianca, who became his wife, and of the births of their children. Later, he entered the military and then joined the police force. He also dealt with family members’ suicide attempts and drug-related deaths, which are recounted in passages that some readers might find difficult to read. First, this book is the author’s memoir of growing up as a member of the First Nations and how he later struggled with alcoholism and trouble with the law. Langan, a military veteran and police officer, presents a multipart book for multiple audiences. An Indigenous Canadian of Ojibway and Cree descent presents a debut memoir and a guide to spirituality.
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