The Reason You Walk is a moving father-son reconciliation story. It is a memoir written by the activist, musician and hereditary chief, Wab Kinew. His story explores the trauma and pain faced by native youth and his feelings towards finding his own path among conflicting cultures. This novel demonstrates how the intense discrimination the native community faced, impacted their community and their relationships, not just with each other, but with their culture and heritage as well.

Wab Kinew-Protagonist

Tobasonakwut-Wab Kinew's Father

Generational Trauma

Reconciliation

During his time attending St. Mary's Indian Residential school, Wab Kinew’s father, Tobasonakwut was made to face a slew of unspeakable abuse. Shortly after he arrived, Tobasonakwut was violated by one of the nun's who taught at the institution. Like the other children, he was frequently beaten and punished when his actions were deemed "against" the "values" put forth by the residential school.

One of the most notable examples of this was when Tobasonakwut chose to honor his father at his funeral by following native teachings and standing instead of kneeling at the casket. The punishment that followed this choice was one of many examples shown throughout the novel that demonstrated the West's determination to forcibly assimilate native culture.

When discussing his father’s death Tobasonakwut says: “If that’s your best shot, you don’t know what I’m going through in seeing my father being buried. And this physical pain I’m feeling? That’s nothing compare to-to what I feel" (Kinew, P.16). Years of repressing his pain and resentment made him a very angry man. The helplessness Tobasonakwut felt lead him to believe that he should not fight the abuse. His trauma consequently left him with a warped sense of justice.

This warped sense of justice lead to many issues in regards to his relationship with his own son. Their family lived in Winnipeg on a reserve. As Wab Kinew grew, he was exposed to the world’s cruelty. As a child Wab Kinew was often attacked by his teachers or other adults in the community.

In an attempt to fight back Wab Kinew boldly declared that his father would deal with them. However, much to his dismay, Tobasonakwut responded with: “I’m not going to fight anyone for you" (Kinew, P.54). Wab Kinew could not understand why his own father refused to defend him.

Years of bottling his anger and resigning to the cruelty of the world around them had ultimately snuffed out Tobasonakwut's nurturing impulses. This contributed to the break down of communication between him and his son. The lack of understanding between Tobasonakwut and Wab Kinew created a rift that neither quite knew how to mend.

As dire as their relationship was, they were able to repair some of what they lost through the ceremonies they experienced together. In one scene, Tobasonakwut had taken Wab Kinew to a sun dance. It was the first sun dance where Wab Kinew would be pierced. In following tradition, wooden pegs were inserted into his body as a representation of sacrifice. This dance marked a significant event that signified the renewal of ties, specifically between Wab Kinew and his father. This was the moment that Tobasonakwut was seen being caring and proud of his son for the first time since the events of Wab Kinew’s childhood. Wab Kinew's thoughts regarding this moment were expressed through the statement: “That night, it was just Ndede and me. Me and my dad. And I knew he was proud” (Wab Kinew, P.58).

Many years later, Tobasonakwut invites the archbishop of Winnipeg to a Sundance ceremony. There, he makes the decision to adopt the archbishop into their family as his brother and asks Wab Kinew to lead the ceremony. Tobasonakwut intended to teach and empower his son by letting him lead a ceremony to adopt a man of the very faith that caused them so much suffering. It is during this ceremony that Wab Kinew reflects on the teaching of the creator and his relationship with his father.

Though their relationship was flawed and they experienced many hardships in their journey towards reconciliation, Wab Kinew comes to the realization that in the end, they are all one and the same. Over the years they have grown as individuals and as father and son. As time progressed they learned to understand things that they did not understand before. It takes time to develop a relationship even when titles such as “father” and “son” make it seem like you should already have one.

As Wab Kinew and his father experienced the journey known as life, they were able to realize that the events of the past happened for them to grow into the people they became. Wab Kinew realizes that they are both walking on the same path and in the end they will all return to the creator as one.

The life experiences detailed in The Reason You Walk are painful and solemn, but they give insight to the lived experiences of those struggling with conflicting cultures and discrimination. Wab Kinew was born to an Ashinaabe father and a non-native mother. His story is that of a young man struggling to find his path in life. His choices and beliefs often conflicted with that of his father's, who had chosen to embrace both his native heritage and Catholicism. Wab Kinew details his journey of healing and forgiveness in a way that lets the reader know that such a process is not simple, nor is it easy, but watching him overcome his hardships instills a sense of hope in those who read his words.