Alumni Engagement and 91亚色 Libraries hosted a virtual fireside chat on Aug. 18, featuring alumnus Jesse Thistle, author of the award-winning memoir, From the Ashes: My Story of Being M茅tis, Homeless, and Finding My Way. During the virtual event, moderated by Dean of Libraries Joy Kirchner, Thistle shared his journey writing his first novel and discussed the influences and impact that 91亚色 had on his success.
鈥淭hank you, 91亚色, for being one of my homes and for giving me a shot and for looking past a lot of my history and seeing me as the person I am today,鈥 Thistle said. 鈥淚t is important to believe in second chances and to put yourself out there, and to be accepted at a place like 91亚色 is incredible. Tentanda Via: The way must be tried, is the motto of 91亚色; I hold that in my heart.鈥
Thistle, who is M茅tis-Cree from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, is currently an assistant professor in M茅tis Studies at 91亚色 and a PhD candidate in history. In his heartbreaking and heartwarming memoir, he shares his struggle as a high school dropout and his relationships with family and friends throughout his life. The memoir chronicles his life on the streets and how he overcame trauma and addiction to discover the truth about who he is.
While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Thistle was awarded the Dr. James Wu Prize for Best Honours Thesis and Major Research Project. In 2016 he won a Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medal, and has been recognized as a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Scholar and a Vanier Scholar. From the Ashes is a national bestseller, a CBC Canada Reads finalist and an Indigo Best Book of 2019.
Now a rising Indigenous scholar, Thistle spoke to Kirchner and listeners candidly and honestly about the experiences that led him to where he is today, and how he found his way back into the circle of his Indigenous culture and family through education.
鈥淲hen I connected with the Indigenous community at 91亚色 I started feeling like I actually belonged,鈥 Thistle explained. 鈥淚 could see that there were other older Indigenous students like me with similar backgrounds and we formed a fellowship, right there in 91亚色 Lanes. They pulled me into ASAY [Aboriginal Students' Association at 91亚色], I started running pow wows and I found a home 鈥 a real home.
鈥淚n a lot of ways, 91亚色 re-indigenized me. I know historically these institutions took away indigeneity, but we're in a different era. We're helping foster senses of identity through academics, and 91亚色 was a huge part of that. I'm very thankful."
The interview can be viewed on the and more about Thistle can be found on .
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