Book review: Treaty Words: For As Long As the River Flows

Reviewed by Karl Hele

For a short book aimed at children, Amiée Craft’s Treaty Words: For As Long As the River Flows is incredibly effective. It follows a granddaughter as she learns about the importance of relationships, respect, reciprocity, and treaty from her Mishomis. These lessons coalesce around a particular day and a particular teaching from her Mishomis, specifically an explanation of Anishinaabeg understanding of treaty relationships with Settlers. This specific teaching is contextualized through the treaty relationship the Anishinaabeg have with all of creation, and the relationships between the earth, moon, and sun. These relationships, referred to in English as treaty, form the basis of all life. Importantly, the Anishinaabeg word referring to treaty is aagooiidiwin, which Craft translates as “we agree to work together”(31).

The work is nicely illustrated by Luke Swinson. His drawings add silent commentary and teachings to the words on each page thereby adding an additional depth to Craft’s words. Likewise, the simple colour palette does not distract from the text while mimicking the soft earth tones of nature and the exuberance of spring. Thus, the illustrations by Swinson and the text by Craft fit together perfectly.

The granddaughter, growing up in the city, regularly visited her Mishomis when he returns from the bush. He spends time teaching her to listen to the natural world, the call of birds, the whispering of grass, and the sound of wind passing through tree branches. These brief snapshots of lessons are designed to bring the reader into the world of Mishomis and his granddaughter, as well as make us aware that we are but a small part of creation. And that as an Indigenous people we have a responsibility to the land, waters, and all that inhabit them (15). Craft, via Mishomis’ words, ties this responsibility to the notion of treaty, particularly as a relationship that never ends. As an example, Mishomis describes the treaty we made with the deer (33) and the one between earth and sky (37). He then expands on this example to the aagooiidiwin that was made with the Queen and her children. According to Mishomis, the Queen’s children misunderstood the treaty, choosing to believe they now owned the land and controlled the people (35). While listening to Mishomis, the granddaughter realizes that she is missing some of the teachings because she does not fully understand the language. In her mind, she repeats key words that were translated for her, such as nibi, akiin, sipi, and wabesheshi, trying to remember and grasp the deeper lessons (40). After listening to her grandfather’s teaching, she sits by the river watching spring thaw and realizes that treaty, whether it be with the deer, between earth and sky, or with the Queen’s children, are all part of natural law and that she is also part of that (50). The story ends with the girl realizing that she will continue to visit the river to remember, hear, learn, and most importantly, engage with the deeper meanings of respect, reciprocity, and renewal as symbolized through the ever changing nature of the river (53). Importantly, through the granddaughter, Craft also shows that these lessons are a gift that must be passed onto succeeding generations so that we will know how to live with one another for as long as the river flows.

For Craft, as expressed though the story, treaties are “agreements to make relationships” (56) that were designed to last for eternity. Treaties are not land sales or transfers of sovereignty or power, but agreements to work together so we, Anishinaabeg and Settler, can move forward in life cooperatively and positively (57). As such, the teaching offered in this book is incredibly powerful, poignant, and directed at everyone. The teacher or parent reading Treaty Words to children will learn the importance of treaty, relationships, respect, and reciprocity. While obviously aimed at children, I would suggest that Treaty Words could be used as a text in high school and university classes when discussing treaty, relationships, and the importance of story.

Amiée Craft, Treaty Words: For As Long As the River Flows. Toronto: Annick Press, 2021.

ISBN: 1773214969