Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson

Monkey Beach tells the story of Lisamarie in the British Colombian village called Kitimat. The author, Eden Robinson, expertly weaves Haisla cultural beliefs and practices into a mystery story of Lisa’s missing brother, Jimmy. As a reader we are exposed to a plethora of topics: Haisla family structure and nomenclature, the effects of intergenerational trauma on indigenous groups, worldviews and indigenous values on the use of land and life. In doing so, Robinson also reclaims appropriated Haisla myths and lore. She uses the traditional terms for what we know now to be ‘Sasquatch’ as the Haisla ‘B’gwus,’ explores Haisla spirituality, and the use of non-traditional medicines to provide the reader with different connotations of each practice, and build cultural competency. Branching off from this, Robinson uses Lisa’s journey of finding and embracing her spirituality to encourage her audiences to examine their identity, culture, and obligations to their past, present and future selves. Tell us about a cultural belief or practice you engage in!

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