One Story, One Song

By: Richard Wagamese

Narrated by: Christian Baskous

A collection of warm, wise, and inspiring stories from the author of the best-selling One Native Life

Since its publication in 2008, readers and reviewers have embraced Richard Wagamese's One Native Life. "In quiet tones and luminous language," wrote the Winnipeg Free Press, "Wagamese shares his hurts and joys, inviting readers to find the ways in which they are joined to him and to consider how they might be joined to others."

In this book, Richard Wagamese again invites listeners to accompany him on his travels. This time his focus is on stories: how they shape us, how they empower us, how they change our lives. Ancient and contemporary, cultural and spiritual, funny and sad, the tales are grouped according to the four essential principles Ojibway traditional teachers sought to impart: humility, trust, introspection, and wisdom.

Whether the topic is learning from his fifth grade teacher about Martin Luther King Jr., gleaning understanding from a wolf track, lighting a fire for the first time without matches, or finding the universe in an eagle feather, these stories exhibit the warmth, wisdom, and generosity that made One Native Life so popular. As always, in this book, the land serves as Wagamese's guide. And as always, he finds that true home means not only community but conversation - good, straight-hearted talk about important things. We all need to tell our stories, he says. Every voice matters.

©2018 Richard Wagamese (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Many voices in one song

A real storyteller. Each story is so good We really should stop after each one and let them speak to us.

Wagamese helps me make sense of the world

I loved this reading as I struggle with climate change and the devastating effects of White supremacy culture. Wagamese presents his coming to terms with the mess dominant culture has made of our world with vulnerability and grace. I love how he plays with words. For instance, when naming all his attempts at "helping himself" to the endless possibilities of self-help, he describes himself as "... being prayed for....and preyed upon!"

This book touched my heart

While the writer speaks from the perspective of a First Nation Canadian he brings together the experiences of many whose stories include being excluded and devalued. I love that he speaks to the need to respect the land and the animals who were here before us. I love that he uses opportunities to teach us how to walk the earth with respect for each other knowing that we are all connected. I love his honesty that that he uses to call our attention to the homeless, and to our youth. I wish these lessons were taught in our schools and more than this in all of our homes. My heart has been touched and I will carry these lessons with me and share them. My thanks to this writer.

Excellent First Nations Memoir

This a collection of fifty-five of the author's anecdotes and observations which span the course of his life. Richard Wagamese was a first nations author from Ontario. Sadly, he died in 2017 at the young age of 61.

The fifty-five chapters are divided in topic by direction: East - humility, South - trust, West - introspection, and North - wisdom. The chapters are all pretty short. I listened on Audible and most of them were about five minutes long or so. Richard is a great storyteller. His experiences cover a spectrum of emotions and living conditions starting with his sad childhood experiences to his uplifting charity work later in life. My favorite parts were his relatable baseball experiences growing up and his engrossing description of the beautiful, wild, Canadian landscape and local flora and fauna where he lived his final years. The chapter about the local bears and how he and his wife co-exist with them (they were here first - it's their land he notes) was the book's highlight for me.

Failed System, Broken Children, Victorious Journey

This is the second book I've listened to by Richard Wagamese, the first being Indian Horse, which hit me hard. One Story, One Song was a little different, more about the journey for native Indians, yet still filled with such poignant stories that many times I had to just stop . . . and let myself FEEL what he was saying. I find myself wanting to know more about Richard Wagamese. His love of all that the creator has made, the way he honored all of creation, and his wisdom after coming through some of life's most horrendous and painful challenges. I admire that he was an advocate for "the least of these" . . . although we differed in our idea of how to accomplish the equality and freedom that native people are entitled to. He and I both are fierce defenders of the underdog. My heart breaks that Richard personally continued to suffer estrangement in his family . . . yet he rejoiced in and made those closest to him a part of his family. He found peace and harmony in simplicity, in nature and in embracing those who could willingly give of themselves to him and reciprocate his love. I am saddened that Richard has left this earth, but have faith that he has eternal life in a heaven where there is no more pain, no more tears, no abuse, no condemnation . . . and perhaps one day we will meet there.

Greatl freak book

Great book one of the best I've ever read. We should all live like this and look by these values.

Great story

A story peppered with harsh truths and crafty alliteration that keeps the reader interested and amused. A great listen that helps one to understand the plight of Native peoples, the significance of giving to others, and the importance of connection to nature.

Lovely.

Was a Great experience. Lovely story telling a modern account told in a traditional way.

I'll listen to this one again.

I like the author's practical attitude about everything in life native and non native alike. I like his outlook about campaigns for this group or that group. he said MLK was fighting for all people, not just black people. This is how I feels too. This will be a treasured book in my library. You should have a listen, too.

Real and honest, just like I like

The story was engaging and interesting. The writer stirred up empathy, and sadness and hope.