Journey from Fisher River: A Celebration of the Spirituality of a People Through the Life of Stan McKay

A.J. Pell is the rector of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Diocese of New
Westminster, British Columbia.

Joyce Carlson advertises in the very title of this work that, in her
mind and intention, it is two books. It is the story of the life of
Stanley John McKay, a Cree ordained into the ministry of the United
Church of Canada and that church’s moderator from 1992 to 1994. It is
also an account of the struggles for spiritual expression among First
Nations peoples as highlighted by McKay’s life.

Unfortunately, 124 pages is not sufficient for either task, much less
both. As a result, the reader gets a very small and unsatisfying glimpse
of McKay as a person. What little we do learn of him, despite the
superficial and reverential tone of the book, indicates that there is a
complex and fascinating man here who merits our getting to know him
better. Similarly, the issues of Native identity and Native spirituality
are barely introduced to the reader. There are hints of the struggles
between the traditional and Christian religions within individuals and
within tribal groups, but these are not really acknowledged, much less
defined and discussed. So we must wait for future books to give us the
necessary depth and breadth on both subjects.