In the last few years, I have been interacting with Native American cultures through a variety of different media. I have watched shows like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds, read books like We Had A Little Real Estate Problem, and read comics from companies like ATCG. Today, I am talking about a graphic novel, 7 Generations, which spans centuries in its look at a Canadian indigenous family and how generational trauma affects them. The framing sequence is set in 2010, and it's about a 16-year-old boy named Edwin. He is struggling with school and life, and he feels cut adrift. One reason for his feelings is because he is estranged from his father, James, and feels abandoned by him. He decides to take matters and his life in his own hands, namely to end both. Luckily, he was not successful.
It turns out that these feelings are predicated on what has gone on in the past, and this book chronicles four episodes about this family. The first chapter focuses on a couple of Plains Cree brothers in the late 19th century and what transpires after one of them dies in a Blackfoot raid and the other, named Stone, seeks revenge. The second chapter focuses on White Cloud and his experiences during the smallpox pandemic of 1870-1871. The third chapter leaps more toward the present, portraying James's experiences being taken from his family and re-housed in Christian residential schools with his brother. The fourth comes full circle and deals with how James and Edwin might reconcile and lead better lives.
There is a lot going on in this book, and each chapter contains scenes of horror and violence of different sorts. The drawings portray much of the proceedings in visceral, emotional, and dramatic fashion, and in many ways this is a tough book to read, appropriately so, in my opinion. It does not flinch from showing past terrors and crimes, and it also resolves not completely but hopefully. I found this a very moving and informative book, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about indigenous cultures or comics.
This book was created by author David A. Robertson and artist Scott B. Henderson. Robertson has written many books from adults and young people, and has won many accolades, including the Governor General's Literary Award and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. 7 Generations was Henderson's first graphic novel, and since then he has drawn 20 more, mainly collaborating with indigenous authors. Robertson speaks about his collaboration with Henderson on this book in this interview.
All of the reviews I have read of this book sing its praises. Suzanne Manizza Roszak concluded, "An equally fitting choice for adolescent and adult readers, 7 Generations deserves to be much more widely read." Joanne Peters wrote that the chapters are "emotionally powerful works, and Scott Henderson's ...visuals add to the impact of Robertson's narratives, particularly in the depiction of the residential school experience."
7 Generations was published by HighWater Press, and they offer more information about the upcoming 15th anniversary edition here. Because of the subject matter, including self-harm and emotional violence, I suggest this book for high school and above.
Thank you and shout-out to Dani, who chose this book for our graphic novel class!!!