Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience

This wonderful book on Native American is one the best I have read on the love, culture, and hardships of our Indian brothers and sisters. Everyone with an interest in Native Americans and how they have been treated and maligned needs to read this wonderfully written book. As you read, you will feel as part of the Tilly's family.

First, I would rather that they allow us to give minus stars because this book deserves just that.My son had to study this book at school.The main character is a drug addict and an alcoholic. Her boyfriend killed many people.This book is supposed to be about hope and resilience. I would say it is a book about how NOT to live your life.I feel it horrible that schools would even consider having students study such a book. I don't say this because of its content, but rather because students are being taught to look at this horrible person in a good way. There is nothing good about the main character. I would be horrified if any of the children I know would ever befriend such a person.

Provided a better understanding of the problems of growing up as a Native American in a white world.

Very pleased with the product.

Very interesting book. What courage !

Monique Gray Smith's Tilly is a novel "loosely based on my life," she explains in her introduction. Gray Smith is one of a rich legacy of women writers who have blended autobiography and fiction.Recently, at a reading, I heard an author say when she first started writing, she didn't know how to get a character through the door and across the room. That came to mind as I read Gray Smith's book. She appears to move her character, Tilly, not only across the room but seamlessly through several decades of life.The story begins in Kelowna, British Columbia in 1974, when Tilly is a child. She was named for her Grandma Tilly who is part Lakota. Tilly's mother is Cree and doesn't know her family, as she was taken away from them when she was a baby.Following a racist incident during which Tilly's Mom is called a "squaw" and told to get back to the reserve "where you belong," Tilly's Auntie Pauline offers some teaching and says she will help Tilly find out more about being Cree. This initial incident is an example of the experiences, learning, and resilience Tilly demonstrates throughout the decades she describes.Grandma Tilly is another fine teacher whose school "was the land, the rivers, the stars, our ceremonies, and my grandma and grandpa." She teaches young Tilly how to fish and to make an offering with sage, a form of gratitude.While telling one woman's story of "hope and resilience," Gray Smith includes the history of Canada's First Nations, including: residential schools (boarding schools that intended to assimilate Native children); hospitals that were racially segregated and treated only Aboriginal people, mostly for tuberculosis; and what is referred to as the Sixties Scoop, when children were taken from their families and, for the most part, placed in non-Aboriginal homes.When Tilly started grade seven, Grandma Tilly died. The woman who had been Tilly's anchor was gone and it was in the spring of the year she was in grade seven that her "real attachment to alcohol began."In the years to follow, Tilly says, "my drinking would lead to humiliating situations, soul-shattering loneliness, one-night stands and suicidal fantasies."The family moved frequently, and when she was fifteen, her Dad left for good.Tilly is grateful for teachers and mentors as she recounts her story. One of them, a teacher called Mrs. Murphy, sees potential in Tilly and tells her: "You have the ability to make the world a better place. But somehow you need to find a way to see all that good in yourself." Tilly later realizes she had been treated with dignity.Following graduation from nursing school, Tilly moves to Kamloops, British Columbia where she learns about the services offered by the local Friendship Center. There she meets a counselor called Bea, who becomes a steadfast presence in her life.One of Bea's assignments is that Tilly go to Alcoholics Anonymous. As Tilly says as she learns about her First Nations heritage, Bea helped her "to live the life my Ancestors had dreamed for me."This is a gently unfolding story in which the protagonist, Tilly, is held by the spirit of her ancestors. Her resilience comes from a natural strength as well as from guides and teachers along the way.The author includes a glossary in the back of the book as well as questions for discussion and a diagram of The Umbrella of First Nations Resiliency she created.As word gets out about Tilly, I know the author will continue to receive many gifts as she connects to others, and as her readers are inspired to honor their own stories of resilience.by Mary Ann Moorefor Story Circle Book Reviewsreviewing books by, for, and about women

This book was given to me through a GoodReads Giveaway. I wouldn't have read it otherwise, but I am so glad I did! It was a privilege. This book is a sort of memoir; the main character Tilly is descended from the people indigenous to Canada. This novel follows her struggle with alcoholism and to find identity.I grew up in the U.S. in a place with a strong Native American population and yet it never occurred to me that the native people's of this continent (of course!) were from what is now Canada as well. I feel so foolish. But I was also glad to learn about this culture, their struggles, their past, their rituals, ceremonies, and beliefs. It is beautiful to learn alongwith Tilly about what her people believe--that dragonflies are the gatekeepers of the dream world, that an animal crossing your path means something, that you should offer up tobacco as incense--these are just a few examples. I learned and experienced a nation's hurt (and healing) from this book and I won't ever forget it.My only critique is that some near the last quarter of the book, the author seems to lose her focus. Instead of feeling the forward momentum of Tilly's story, it became a scattering of other people's stories--strangers. I would also have loved more focus on the mystery of Tilly's ancestry and the journey to discover her past.

This book resonated deeply for me. I am not of aboriginal descent, (black/white mix), but these intimate stories of hope and discovery are common amongst many of us who have experienced a small town life. Or a life spent not quite belonging. I read Tilly straight through, as I was unable to put it down! Many things touched me...the deep wisdom of Grandma Tilly, and so many of the teachers that crossed Tilly's path; the journey and struggles and triumphs of Tilly's life as she came into her own; the learning of Aboriginal customs I had never been privy to. Monique Gray Smith has crafted a beautiful and delicious read. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

I purchased this book for study. My school is using as a textbook. I can't imagine her experience, how to recover from addiction.

I was able to get one library sticker off but the other was leaving a sticky residue. But it is in wonderful shape and so far a great read. The cover is in great shape especially when it has been in a public library. Awesome find!!!

Fabulous book. Highly recommend

Good read