Questions About Three Day Road (Bird Family Trilogy, #1)

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I got chatting to someone at a Starbucks the other day who was reading this book to see whether it was appropriate for students studying First Nations people. As an Australian who has recently arrived in Victoria, I'm really interested in the difference between Canada and Australia's treatment, and acceptance, of First Nations people. Do people find the book to be balanced? respectful? All opinions are welcome!

Míchílín I am interested in this same topic from a Canadian perspective. I wouldn't recommend Boyden at all to satiate this curiosity as he has recently been o…moreI am interested in this same topic from a Canadian perspective. I wouldn't recommend Boyden at all to satiate this curiosity as he has recently been outed as an imposter. Of course, anyone with an understanding of First Nations literature on Turtle Island would have been able to tell just by reading Boyden's books that he doesn't really have any First Nations heritage -- he writes very much in the tradition of CanLit where conflict with nature is a major theme in contrast to FN authors for whom connection to the land is almost always a central theme. Boyden is not an authentic voice in the project of #Reconciliation.

If you're looking for First Nations authors describing the Canadian context, I recommend Richard Wagamese first and foremost as he manages to tell the painful truth about colonialism in Canada while keeping you rolling on the floor with laughter. _Keeper'n Me_ and _Indian Horse_ should be required reading in all high schools in Canada. Thomas King is another great FN storyteller with much literary merit and conscious things to say. I would start with these two.

It's also interesting to contrast with the US experience as the British learned from watching the bloody "Indian Wars" in the US that the deceit of treaties would be the path of least resistance to obtaining land on the portion of Turtle Island now known as Canada. Also, many nations were artificially divided by the US-Canadian border and that is an ongoing issue on both sides of it today. There was a time, for example, where a Mohawk woman from Ontario would lose her Indian Status if she married a Mohawk man from New York. Two of my favourite FN authors writing in the US side of Turtle Island are Sherman Alexie and Leslie Marmon Silko.(less)

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What age group would this book be appropriate for? I need some books about First Nations people for my classes.

Jennifer I’m not sure which version of In Search of April Raintree would be appropriate but both that book and the are great.

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My interpretation at the end when Niska is heating stones and calling out the spirits drumming up visions of the future, confirms to me at least that Xavier survives his injuries. She pictures two brothers wondering along naked. They're watched by someone she knows well (assume this Xavier) & she is watching from above in a different place (assume she has died & now in heaven). Have I interpreted this right?

Jennifer Churchill Yes. Although in her vision she is in heaven. She doesn't die then.…moreYes. Although in her vision she is in heaven. She doesn't die then.(less)

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Can anyone tell me what year this book takes place? I'm trying to link a timeline between the Bird Family trilogy of books. Thanks in advance for your help!

M Thanks for the incomplete answer, I've read the book and the whole trilogy. Thus the question regarding the whole timeline.

Of course the period of tim…moreThanks for the incomplete answer, I've read the book and the whole trilogy. Thus the question regarding the whole timeline.

Of course the period of time where Xavier and Elijah are in the war is during the years you mentioned, I am aware of world history but appreciate the refresher. The whole book however spans from their childhood in the residential school system to well past the war. From what I recall there is no mention of their age when they go off to fight in the actual war. That age can greatly vary, therefore leading to the question (which remains unanswered)(less)

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In what era was this book?

Sylvia Mostly during World War I (1914-1918)

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