Namwayut: We Are All One

A Pathway to Reconciliation

By: Chief Robert Joseph

Narrated by: Dr. Evan Adams

We all share a common humanity. No matter how long or difficult the path ahead, we are all one.

Reconciliation belongs to everyone. In this profound book, Chief Robert Joseph, globally recognized peacebuilder and Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk People, traces his journey from his childhood surviving residential school to his present-day role as a leader who inspires individual hope, collective change, and global transformation.

Before we get to know where we are going, we need to know where we came from. Reconciliation represents a long way forward, but it is a pathway toward our higher humanity, our highest selves, and an understanding that everybody matters. In Namwayut, Chief Joseph teaches us to transform our relationships with ourselves and each other. As we learn about, honour, and respect the truth of the stories we tell, we can also discover how to dismantle the walls of discrimination, hatred, and racism in our society.

Chief Joseph is known as one of the leading voices on peacebuilding in our time, and his dedication to reconciliation has been recognized with multiple honorary degrees and awards. As one of the remaining first-language speakers of Kwak'wala, his wisdom is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing while making space for something bigger and better for all of us.

©2023 Chief Robert Joseph (P)2022 Chief Robert Joseph

Critic reviews

There is no more important task for Canadians than to hear the voices of Indigenous people. This is humanity's collective responsibility—to face uncomfortable, sometimes horrific truths, to educate ourselves, to listen, to reflect, to learn, and to act with newfound awareness and sensitivity. Chief Joseph's journey reminds us all that the path to future peace must pass through reconciliation of our past. And that all humans are equal, all humans are humans.”
Lieutenant-General (retd) the Honourable Roméo Dallaire

“Indigenous writers often describe the power of stories. In oral traditions a story is a memorable way to convey our history, our traditions, and our teachings. Chief Robert Joseph offers his journey of reconciliation through the story of his life. And what an extraordinary, troubling, and uplifting life it is. Raised in a traditional way, surrounded by a loving community, but brought to the Indian Residential School in Alert Bay much too early, Chief Joseph describes the confusing and traumatic lives spent by children in the school. His personal story compels us to face the truth of what happened in these institutions, and helps us fully appreciate the importance of these experiences to all Canadians. As someone who shared parts of the healing and reconciliation journey with him, I am struck by how prominent a role he played in the genesis of the healing movement, how he has lead us by way of his loving example, and how he dwells less on the past and more on how hopeful we can be about our future. He is a treasured leader, and someone who forces us to re-examine our values and the importance of listening to each other. This book moves from our tragic history to a present where mutual understanding is possible. This is the story of reconciliation.” Mike DeGagne, C.M., President & CEO, Indspire

A painful history with an inspiring perspective.

This story carries so much trauma and pain. It’s infuriating to relive the trauma done to native Americans and to consider the role of churches in this horror. But Chief Joseph’s ability to come a place of forgiveness is so powerful. The concept of reconciliation is inspiring and his ability to have hope should give us all a reason to have hope.

This is an easy read and one I highly recommend.