A 74-year-old Two-Spirit Ojibwe-Cree writer hopes that her memoir inspires other First Nations elders to tell their stories. Ma-Nee Chacaby made this comment after her book, A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder, won the CBC Canada Reads competition. Chacoby authored her 2016 authobiography with long-time friend and social scientist Mary Louisa Plummer.
“A Two-Spirit Journey winning Canada Reads is an unexpected and beautiful gift,” Chacaby said in a statement. “Mary and I want to thank everyone who joined us on this journey and made it possible, especially our friends and loved ones, and the wonderful staff of the University of Manitoba Press and Canada Reads. We really appreciate all of the readers and the other writers that also joined us on this journey.”
The Canada Reads format includes four daily debates on CBC Radio One and CBC Gem. Five well-known Canadians each advocate for what they believe should be Canada’s must-read book for 2025. Each day, one book is eliminated in a live vote.
The crowning of A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder came on Two-Spirit Celebration and Awareness Day, which falls on March 20.
Mètis and Nehiyaw Iskwew (Plains Cree Woman) TV host, yoga teacher, and model Shayla Stonechild made the case for Chacaby’s book in Canada Reads.
“Most of all we are grateful to Shayla Stonechild for choosing the book and championing it so well!” Chacoby declared. “We hope the book will inspire other people to tell their stories, especially First Nations elders who have so much to share. I encourage everybody to just enjoy your life today and remember to love yourself.”
A Two-Spirit educator and healer
In her memoir, Chacaby describes her struggles in overcoming abuse and alcohol addition on her way to becoming a counsellor, mentor, and admired elder. She ended up fulfilling the prophecy of her kokum (grandmother), who told her that one day, she would become an educator and healer for her people.
In 1988, Chacaby identified herself as a lesbian on a TV broadcast in Thunder Bay, where she lives. In 2013, she led the city’s first Pride parade.
The other four books in the competition were:
- Watch Out for Her (Simon & Shuster) by Samantha M. Bailey, championed by Olympian Maggie Mac Neil;
- Jennie’s Boy (Knopf Canada) by Wayne Johnston, championed by bestselling detective novelist Linwood Barclay;
- Etta and Otto and Russell and James (Penguin Canada) by Emma Hooper, championed by CBC Heartland star Michelle Morgan;
- Dandelion (Arsenal Pulp Press) by Jamie Chai Yun Liew, championed by pastry chef and neuroscientist Saïd M’Dahoma.
CBC Radio One broadcaster, comedian, and actor Ali Hassan hosted Canada Reads for the ninth consecutive year.
Learn more about the communities that make up Canada on the Toronto Spark website. Follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social. The Toronto Spark is also on Bluesky @torontospark.bsky.social.
