'Fatty Legs: A True Story' by Christy Jordan-Fenton tells the powerful and moving tale of Margaret Pokiak, an Inuit girl who is determined to learn to read despite the challenges she faces at a Catholic residential school. The story follows Margaret's resilience and courage as she navigates through the cruel treatment and humiliations inflicted upon her, all while holding onto her dream of education. Through the use of archival photographs and captivating storytelling, the book sheds light on the experiences of indigenous children in Northern Canada during a dark period in history, highlighting the strength and triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The writing style of the book is described as heartfelt and unpretentious, drawing readers into Margaret's world with its candid portrayal of her struggles and determination. The narrative skillfully balances the harsh realities of cultural assimilation and racism faced by indigenous children with moments of hope, resilience, and the power of education, making it a poignant and thought-provoking read for both younger and older audiences.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of racism, bullying, cultural trauma, and descriptions of the abusive experiences at residential schools.
From The Publisher:
Eight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving her village in the high Arctic. Faced with unceasing pressure, her father finally agrees to let her make the five-day journey to attend school, but he warns Margaret of the terrors of residential schools. At school Margaret soon encounters the Raven, a black-cloaked nun with a hooked nose and bony fingers that resemble claws. She immediately dislikes the strong-willed young Margaret. Intending to humiliate her, the heartless Raven gives gray stockings to all the girls all except Margaret, who gets red ones. In an instant Margaret is the laughingstock of the entire school. In the face of such cruelty, Margaret refuses to be intimidated and bravely gets rid of the stockings. Although a sympathetic nun stands up for Margaret, in the end it is this brave young girl who gives the Raven a lesson in the power of human dignity. Complemented by archival photos from Margaret Pokiak-Fenton's collection and striking artworks from Liz Amini-Holmes, this inspiring first-person account of a plucky girl's determination to confront her tormentor will linger with young readers.
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About the Author:
Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton is an Inuvialuk elder and artisan who spent her early years on Banks Island in the high Arctic. She now lives in Fort St. John, British Columbia.
Christy Jordan-Fenton lives in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Margaret Pokiak-Fenton is her children's grandmother. Jordan-Fenton practices traditional ceremonies with the Kainai Blackfoot.
Liz Amini-Holmes lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and ever-growing menagerie of pets. When Liz is not illustrating, she is working on a Masters in Art Therapy, teaching, and obsessively reading and watching detective stories.
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