Gehl v Canada: Challenging Sex Discrimination in the Indian Actby Lynn GehlPublished by University of Regina PressReview by Toby A. Welch  $26.95 ISBN 9780889778252 Knowing I am a reader, a friend of mine asked me an interesting question recently: “Are there any book publishers that you will read their books without even knowing what the book is about?” I immediately replied, “Yes – Harlequin and University of Regina Press. The first because I’m a sucker for a heartfelt romance and the second because every single book they publish is so thoroughly researched that any topic they cover is fascinating to read about.” So when University of Regina Press publication Gehl v Canada landed on my desk, I couldn’t wait to dive in! Detailing in a brief review what Gehl v Canada is about is nearly impossible as the subject matter is gigantic. We hit on so many familial, feminist, and Indigenous issues, among others. It’s challenging to encapsulate it. Perhaps Mary Eberts says it best in the forward: “Dr. Lynn Gehl describes the effort she made to document the sex discrimination affecting her and her family, her decision to challenge that discrimination, and how she applied herself to various proceedings… until she achieved victory.” To be clear,…

Claiming Anishinaabe: decolonizing the human spirit by Lynn Gehl University of Regina Press Review by Madonna Hamel $24.95 ISBN 9780889774919 Claiming Anishinaabe is a treatise on one indigenous woman’s “theory of the human spirit.” I came away from it with a deeper conviction that colonization is a practice that corrals minds, bodies and spirits. And every one of us suffers at its constricting hands. My own internalized shame at this country’s treatment of indigenous people has made it hard for me to face many truths. After reading this book I wrote a Cree friend: “Shame is a regime tool. Whether it’s The Old Regime calling us heathens or The New Regime calling us fat, ugly, old, unsuccessful, off-key etc. When shame enters the picture no one gets to tell their truth. We hunker down and defend our little patch of reality. We cannot afford to open to Other Ways of Knowing. We can’t bear one more finger wave or barb of contempt.” Gehl refers consistently to her own journey and perspectives. She intricately describes an Indigenous world that reflects her life as academic, scientist, Anishinaabe and a partially blind woman. While resisting blaming individuals, she does“blame Canada”. Often. She blames…