Life in the City of Dirty Water is a powerful memoir by a Cree environmental activist. The books is broken into sections that deal with the author’s early childhood, path to activism, and current life. I liked how the early parts were more linear and then parts of his childhood are woven into later parts to combine past and present. It was a 2022 Canada’s Reads finalist, and I finally got around to reading my ARC copy (which has major formatting issues but I assume that was the ARC and the real copy was fine, so no stars removed for that). However, I recommend this to anyone and not just Canadians (not being a Canadian myself).

This memoir was a very powerful recollection of the authors life experiences as an Indigenous person in Canada.

The book is separated in several parts, first discussing his childhood and family history. Some of the authors experiences were extremely raw and honest. He discusses many social issues that indigenous people in Canada have been facing for decades. Clayton writes about his communities facing intergenerational trauma through institutionalization. Whether it be the experiences of family members who attended residential schools, high rates of incarceration, or environmental warfare - indigenous peoples are constantly facing these issues.

It was interesting to read about the environmental activism that Thomas-Muller was involved in. It was also eye opening how poor the living conditions of many Indigenous communities have become due to toxic waste, mining, tar sands... This environmental warfare has caused so many chronic health conditions for people and whole communities.

As someone who lives in a province that hugely benefits from the oil and gas industry, it was upsetting to read about how negatively this has affected so many people. Although the industry has provided so many jobs to people (including many Indigenous people) it has caused a lot of harm as well.

This book was slightly disjointed to read, I felt like the stories would have worked better to tell a story if they were in a different order, but that is really just my option.

I think all Canadians should have to read this book! I am excited to see it featured on Canada Reads

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC.

Powerful, raw memoir by an Indigenous activist from Canada. Nowadays we hear more and more about the horrors imposed on the First Nations people but we rarely have an opportunity to listen to their own voice. And Clayton Thomas-Müller's voice is definitely worth hearing.

First part of the book, describing a difficult and traumatic childhood, is the most captivating. The author writes openly about all the good and bad things that happened to him, without bitterness, rather with a deep understanding and compassion. It reminded me a little of “The Glass Castle”, even though the stories pictured here are much darker and more violent. Such is the life of many Indigenous communities in Canada and I think it is very important to be aware of this. And it makes all the more impressive all the achievements of Thomas-Müller, of which we learn later in the book.

Despite all these difficulties, the author became a leading figure, a successful activist - and a caring husband and father. It was very interesting to read about the common fight of indigenous peoples from all around the world and how their tenacity brings much needed changes.

Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

Life in the City of Dirty Water is an extremely important read for Canadians as it sheds light on the Indigenous water crisis in a very honest way. It's a really important and insightful and it's extremely important that as Canadians and people that we understand the trauma and systemic racism that the indigenous community faces on a regular basis. Life in the City of Dirty Water is extremely brave and honest!

Thomas-Muller's life story gives readers an honest look into the life of a young indigenous Cree Indian growing up in Canada. It was a life of constant moving, multiple father figures, drugs, gangs, and prison. The author realized at some point his life was going nowhere and since then has turned it around. As an adult, he has become a voice for indigenous people and their rights and an environmental activist.

Thomas-Muller's story is traumatic and personal. With boundless inner strength, he finds a way out of the poverty and neglect of his youth to fight the injustice he sees around him. A remarkable read.

This is a great book to pick up for those who want to learn more about the issues Indigenous peoples are facing, or if you want to deepen your understanding of them. It touches on the devastating impact that residential schools continue to have, and the environmental crises of which Indigenous people are fighting on the front lines for. The author’s strength is phenomenal, he doesn’t hold back from the abuse and struggles he went through growing up, but I finished the book feeling inspired by him, and those around him.