A riveting Literary History and adventure novel that celebrates the cultural resurgence of Coastal First Nations peoples.
The scene is set in this novel as Rachel McBay, a Heiltsuk woman who is a graduate psychology student, her grandmother, Rachel McBay, the Heiltsuk ceremonial chanter and others attempt to paddle a First Nation's dugout canoe twelve hundred miles up the rugged coast of British Columbia to show solidarity of coastal tribes for the Land Claims in the province of British Columbia. As they voyage the paddlers come under physical attack by unknown opponent(s) of the Treaty negotiations.
Excerpt
"Mother Jesus," shouted Nigel. "Get out of that front seat, Martha," he ordered. "That boat is headed right for us at top speed." Gran scrambled backwards into Rachel and Paul's seat., then crawled over them as Nigel grabbed her and pulled her back with him.
"Let's get out of here," Ernie yelled.
"There's no time," Paul answered. The fishboat was advacing rapidly towards them. It's old motor sounded like it was going to fly to bits at any moment.
Paul waved to the other four canoes to disburse. They all moved off in different directions. The fishboat kept coming towards Paul's canoe.
"When I yell, paddle to starboard," Paul shouted, pointing to all the paddlers on the starboard side.
Rachel realised he was going to try and dodge the fish boat at the last moment. Intense fear shot through her heart at the desperateness of their situation.
The paddlers in the canoe had no choice but to stare at the advancing boat with increasing horror. A large figure in the wheelhouse could be seen as the boat closen in on their canoes. Yellow raingear masked any recognizable features. Rachel realised that the fishboat's name and serial numbers were blocked off.
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