Book review: The Case of the Burgled Bundle: A Mighty Muskrats Mystery
Reviewed by Carrie MacKenzie
The Case of the Burgled Bundle: A Mighty Muskrats Mystery by Michael Hutchinson is the third book in the series about young Indigenous cousins, nicknamed the Mighty Muskrats by their home community of Windy Lake First Nation, who solve mysteries where they live. It is an entertaining and educational story, geared towards readers aged 9-12.
The Mighty Muskrats, Chickadee, Atim, Otter and Sam, are an engaging and relatable group of youths. Readers are able to identify with them because they talk and act like them. Indigenous youth in particular can see themselves and their culture represented in a positive way, giving them a sense of pride in their culture and who they are. Even the way the adults are depicted is familiar. This keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story; therefore, their eyes are opened to the issues brought up in the story.
This book also talks about Indigenous people reclaiming their culture and traditions which have been taken away from them. The connection that Indigenous people have with their ceremonies and culture as well as the effects of the loss of these aspects of their identity are major themes in this story. The effect of this is to educate the non-Indigenous readers about these issues and to motivate Indigenous readers to reclaim their identity, as well as the importance of their identity.
Treaties that were made between the Canadian government and the Indigenous peoples are discussed as well as the importance and meaning of treaty bundles. The difference between how the Indigenous people and the government views the treaties and the respect each has for the treaties and the bundles are also clarified. This is further emphasized by the reaction of the RCMP when the theft of the treaty bundle is reported to them.
The tone of this book is both humorous and serious. There is joking around between the characters; then there are more serious conversations dealing with topics like the Sixties Scoop, Indian Residential Schools, the fact that Indigenous peoples’ ceremonies had been outlawed by the Canadian government and their lasting intergenerational effects. These issues and their long-term effects are such that non-Indigenous people might not be fully aware of them.
Another thing this book does is illustrate Indigenous culture. This is not just through talking about the ceremonies and traditions but through more subtle means. Some of these cultural customs include the Muskrats thinking of the adults as “Elders”, calling their female Elders “Auntie,” and Indigenous people described as “lip pointing” or “chin pointing.” These gestures more common in Indigenous culture than in other cultures where it is more common to point with the fingers.
A sense of community is something else that this book highlights. This is spotlighted by the relationships that the “Muskrats” have with others on their First Nation. The community is very close-knit with everyone knowing everyone else. The residents of Windy Lake First Nation respect each other and their community. This is seen in how everyone interacts with each other and how the cousins talk to their Elders and listen when they speak knowing that by doing so, they will learn something. Also, the love and the close bond between the Muskrats and their family is evident and heartwarming.
This is an entertaining and educational story. It highlights issues faced by Indigenous peoples, gives glimpses into their culture and life on a reserve. This book would be an asset to any library.
The Case of the Burgled Bundle: A Mighty Muskrats Mystery, Michael Hutchinson, (Toronto: Second Story Press, 2021).
ISBN: 978-1-77260-166-4