Good Walk

Matthew Anderson was born to settlers on Treaty 4 territory near the Cypress Hills area. He now teaches part-time at both St. Francis Xavier and Concordia universities. Anderson is the author of several books, including Our Home and Treaty Land (with Raymond Aldred). His pilgrimage podcast is “Pilgrimage Stories from Up and Down the Staircase,” and more of his work can be found at SomethingGrand.ca and UnsettledWords.com.

"Anderson has corrected his blindness of Indigenous historical presence of the land of his childhood – and taken strong steps towards sharing that knowledge...on the trail and in this book. Here is a story that deserves many readers – and many new trail walkers."—The Miramichi Reader“The Good Walk may change the perceptions of those it reaches by telling new stories about what Anderson calls “the repressed histories of the trails.” … [Anderson] frames his project as a small step in persuading Canadian society to live up to its obligations under Treaties 4 and 6 . . . It had that effect on me.”—The Literary Review of Canada“Powerful and comprehensive, The Good Walk traverses and sits with the history, land, people, and iconic pathways of rural Canada.”—Foreword Reviews“Anderson's work is visceral, approachable, and hopeful...mandatory reading for anyone seeking to understand the prairies of Canada.”—Saskatchewan Book Awards Creative Saskatchewan Publishing Award Juror Citation"Anderson observes and savors all the spirits and souls of life." —Louise B. Halfe, author of Sky Dancer"Unsettles all our precious notions of a peaceable history with wisdom, erudition, and such good grace." —Trevor Herriot, author of Towards a Prairie Atonement"Step by thoughtful step, The Good Walk guides us through the minefield of western Canada history."—Candace Savage, author of A Geography of Blood“This book is a powerful meditation on land, history, and reconciliation.” —Kristin Enns-Kavanagh, Executive Director, Saskatchewan History & Folklore Society

• A THANKSGIVING by Richard Kotowich INTRODUCTION: A New Story CHAPTER 1: WalkingNew Paths on Traditional TrailsFor Further ReadingOld Montreal to Kahnawà:keFor Further ReadingFibbers and FabulistsFor Further ReadingCHAPTER 2: The Traders’ Road, Treaty 4Everett Baker and His PostsThe North West Mounted Police Patrol Trail/Traders’ RoadWood Mountain PostFor Further ReadingVal Marie to the Whitemud River ValleyA Spirituality of UnsettlingA Personal ReconciliationEastendTo Cypress LakeThe Frontier Adventure GenreCypress Lake to Fort WalshFor Further ReadingCHAPTER 3: The Fort Battleford Trail, Treaty 6New ShoesFor Further ReadingSwift Current to Fort BattlefordThe Fort Battleford TrailThe LandingFor Further ReadingMistahimaskwa (Big Bear)The Right of Responsible Access and the Canadian WestThe Bad HillsFor Further ReadingMosquito–Grizzly Bear’s Head–Lean Man First NationFort Battleford CHAPTER 4: More Prairie TrailsThe Good Walk on the PrairiesEpilogue: The Frenchman’s Trail ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSBIBLIOGRAPHYArchival SourcesWeb MaterialsBooks and ArticlesINDEX