I loved reading Fred's story and I am sad that he did not live long enough to see his words get published. This story takes us through Fred's life beginning with the residential schools through his hockey career and into adulthood. It is hard not to love this book, Fred does a fantastic job of telling his life story in an entertaining and engaging way. I am sorry that we as Canadians allowed children to be taken from their families and sent to residential schools, where they endured abuse, starvation, lack of medical care, and lost their families, their culture, and their languages.

I have to say that it is difficult to rate a personal memoir. It is someone's story, how dare I critique it. I have rated this story based on it's readability, interest, and the ability to make me feel something for the author and all the others he represents.

With all the news about Residential Schools in the news right now, I wanted to know more. Not only are there bodies found buried, but there are survivors and the children/grandchildren of survivors that are still dealing with the after effects of the legacy of residential schools. When I saw this book by Fred Sasakamoose, I knew I wanted to read it. I am also a huge hockey fan, so I wanted to know what it was like for him to be the first Indigenous Player in the NHL. How was he treated? What did he need to overcome? Well, I will tell you that everyone should read of listen to this book. It is important to listen and try to understand these things so Indigenous People can move forward, begin to heal and know that we are trying to build bridges to reconciliation. These stories are a first step to bring some of that understanding.

Fred Sasakamoose begins his memoir with the story of his ancestors who lived on the land before European contact. He tells of how their leader, Ahtahkakoop, was manipulated into signing treaties that were never kept. Thus begins the first of the lies. His mother was the caregiver as his father was away logging and trapping. Their lives were limited by the local White Indian Agent and federal laws. They were a poor family, but were happy, with a home full of music, dancing, and love. His grandfather, Moosum Alexan came to live with them, and he bought Fred his first pair of skates. They spent hours on the pond skating and learning to play hockey. Fred's father was Catholic, so in 1941, he and his younger brother were taken to St. Michael's Catholic Residential School. Fred was seven and his parents had no choice but to let the agents take the boys. Although Fred does not give a lot of details of what happened to him and his brother at the school, St Michaels was more of a work colony than a school. He endured terrible abuses by priests and older boys. The boys were not allowed home until they acclimated, two years. Father Roussel, was a hockey fanatic and organized the boys into a team. This is where Fred continued to develop his hockey skills begun with his Moosum. To get out of the residential schools, he was "drafted" by the Moose Jaw Canucks in the Western Canadian Junior Hockey League. He continued to develop as a player but he had scars and was not treated well. I am not going to tell you anymore about the story at this point, because it is important that you read this book. The rest of Fred's story follows his path to the NHL, his marriage, and his path to become a mentor, but all is molded by his earlier treatment at St. Michael's.

This book was published after Fred's death which occurred during the Covid Pandemic. He wrote this story with the support of his son and many hockey personalities. Fred was an excellent story teller, and it shows in this book. I was drawn in from the beginning and that interest didn't wane until the end. This is his personal story, but it is also the story of many Indigenous People. They may not have made it to the NHL, but they have had problems with addiction, depression, mental health, abuse etc. as a result of their earlier experiences. The ramifications of anti-Indigenous laws and racist attitudes of those in power are still having an effect today. I did a read/listen of this book which was a great way to experience Fred's story. Wilton Littlechild was a perfect narrator for this book and made it feel like I was listening to Fred Sasakamoose sharing his story with me. When I needed to double check anything, I was able to refer to the book and find what I was looking for. I recommend this book to all who are trying to understand and support reconciliation with our Indigenous People in North America.

You don't really see many stories of Indigenous hockey players in the Hockey section at bookstores. I feel honoured and humbled to have had the opportunity to read and learn about Fred's story. An incredible and moving story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an egalley in exchange for an honest review

I try to make sure that memoirs are part of my yearly reading experience. Whether you're a hockey fan or not, whether you're living in Canada or not, I highly recommend you spend some time with Fred Sasakamoose. As Bryan Trottier states in the foreword, once you meet Fred, you have found a friend. Absolutely fantastic read and a deeply moving memoir.


#CallMeIndian #NetGalley (Also reviewed on Instagram and Facebook)

Publication Date 18/05/21
Goodreads review 02/06/21

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be released 18, May 2021, by Viking - Penguin Random House Canada.

Fred Sasakamoose begins his biography with the story of his ancestors who lived on the land before first contact. He tells of how their leader, Ahtahkakoop, was manipulated into signing treaties that were never kept. In many ways this pattern of lies and deceit is not a new story, but Sasakamoose makes it personal as he leads into how his family ended up on the small reserve of Sandy Lake.

Growing up, his mother was in charge of the family much of the time because his father was away logging or trapping to make a living. Fred was one of eleven children but only five survived due to smallpox. Their lives were constricted and limited by the local White Indian Agent and federal laws.

"we were poor, that's the truth, But I didn't know that.
What I knew what that home was full of song, dance and tradition. It was full of wonder and mystery. It was full of family, love and community."

When his Moosum, Alexan (grandfather) came to stay with them, they became close. Alexan got Sasakamoose his first pair of skates and introduced him to the game. He learned to skate on a frozen lake. Alexan carved him a stick. He used it with a frozen cow patty as a puck.

In 1941, when he was almost seven years old, he was taken from his parents and sent to residential school. St Michaels was more of a work colony than a school. He endured terrible abuses by priests and older boys. One of the priests, Father Roussel, was a hockey fanatic and organized the boys into a team. Sasakamoose may have developed as a hockey player there, but he left scarred. The only real victory at that institution was surviving.

He barely returned home when he was visited by Father Roussel and George Vogan who wanted him to come and play hockey for the Moose Jaw Canucks in the Western Canadian Junior Hockey League. His mother encouraged him to go. In Moose Jaw he lived with George and his supportive family for three years. George became his father away from home. While he worked and played hockey, he improved, build skills and developed confidence. Throughout it all he had to deal with the racism of a few teammates and the team's fans.

He was called up to play with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 1953-54 season. He was the first Treaty Indigenous player in professional hockey. He played against legends like Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, and Maurice Richard. Up until that year, he never drank. He acquired a taste for alcohol while partying with his teammates. The following summer he drank too much and got out of shape. The next year he was cut from the team. Over the next couple of years he played hockey for the New Westminster Royals, Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and the Calgary Stampeders. During those years he met and married Loretta Isbister. Having no idea if he would ever play for Chicago again, and tired of being homesick, he decided to quit hockey and go home.

He might have given up on hockey, but it hadn't given up on him.

The owner of the Kamloops Chiefs tracked him down. He wanted Sasakamoose on his team. It was an amateur league, but it payed decent money so he and Loretta moved there. Fred went on to play with a senior league, the Saskatoon Quakers later on. For the next decade or so he continued to play on local teams during the winter to make extra cash for Loretta and his growing family.

In those years after the NHL, Fred contributed to his community in numerous ways. He became a band councillor and chief. He worked hard to support indigenous hockey teams in Northern Saskatchewan and develop minor hockey and other sports programs across the province. Through it all he endured hardship, tragedy and joy. He spoke with numerous groups of children and adults about his life in hopes that it would help them lead healthy lives and not make the same mistakes he had made. When drugs made their way to their reserve, he worked collaboratively with the band as well as personally to provide a safe place for addicted individuals.

Fred Sasakamoose won many awards. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Native Hockey Hall of Fame. He received National Aboriginal Achievement and Saskatchewan Indian Nations Circle of Honor Awards. He accepted a Diamond Jubilee medal in 2012. An honorary diploma was bestowed on him from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The University of Saskatchewan gave him an honorary doctorate of law. His greatest honor was in 2018 when he received the Order of Canada. Indigenous hockey players still experience racism, but Fred blazed a trail for them by supporting their development and showing them that they could still overcome these obstacles and make their way into the big league.

People write about Fred being an extraordinary story teller, and it shines through in this book. I'm not at all a sports or hockey fan, but his story drew me in and wouldn't let go. At the same time as it is his personal narrative, it's also the story of Indigenous people across the country. The ramifications of anti-Indigenous laws and racist attitudes of those in power are shown at both the intimate and collective levels.

It's a testimony to how personable the writing is that I wept upon discovering that Sasakamoose died last November of Covid complications. He was 86. He is deeply mourned by those who knew him. Fred was one of those who truly left the world a better place than he found it.