From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of substance use, addiction, and racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What moments or images from Thistle’s journey have stayed with you most vividly since finishing From the Ashes? Why do these particular scenes stand out among the many experiences described in the memoir?

2. The title From the Ashes suggests a phoenix-like rebirth. In what ways does this metaphor accurately capture Thistle’s journey and where might it fall short? Does it remind you of other resilience memoirs like Tara Westover’s Educated or Jeannette Walls’s The Glass Castle?

3. Thistle’s narrative unfolds through both prose and verse chapters. How did this mixture of storytelling formats impact your reading experience? Did you find that the poetic sections enhanced your understanding of his emotional state throughout different parts of his life?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Throughout the book, Thistle struggles with his identity before eventually embracing his Métis-Cree heritage. Have you ever experienced a similar journey of discovering or reconnecting with an aspect of your identity that you once denied or didn’t fully understand?

2. Physical pain from Thistle’s leg injury becomes a reminder of how lucky he is to be alive. When have physical or emotional challenges in your own life transformed into something meaningful or instructive over time?

3. The concept of home evolves throughout Thistle’s memoir from physical shelter to emotional and cultural connection. How has your understanding of “home” changed throughout your life? What experiences shaped this evolution?

4. Grandpa’s expectations and tough love significantly impact Thistle’s sense of self-worth. How have the expectations of authority figures in your life shaped your decisions and self-perception?

5. Relationships, particularly with Lucie, prove transformative for Thistle’s recovery and growth. When has a relationship in your life fundamentally changed your trajectory or helped you see your future differently?

6. When Thistle finally commits to sobriety at Harvest House, he gradually rebuilds connections with family and friends. Have you ever had to rebuild relationships that were damaged by past choices? What was that process like for you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Thistle’s academic work reveals how the historical trauma of colonization affects Indigenous peoples and contributes to issues like alcohol or drug dependence and homelessness. How does his personal story illuminate these larger societal patterns? What insights does it offer about addiction that purely statistical studies might miss?

2. Throughout the memoir, we see how the Métis people were historically labeled as “rebellious” and “troublesome” by the Canadian government. How does Thistle’s personal journey reflect the larger historical struggles of Indigenous peoples in Canada?

3. Thistle ultimately becomes a scholar studying Indigenous homelessness, noting that the Indigenous worldview sees home as interconnected relationships rather than just physical shelter. How might this perspective change current approaches to addressing homelessness in North American society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The motif of Thistle’s leg injury appears throughout the memoir. How does this physical wound function as both a literal and metaphorical element in his story? What does it reveal about his character development?

2. Verse chapters like “Windigo” and “Canadian Streets Greasy With Indigenous Fat” are interspersed throughout the memoir. What purpose do these poetic interludes serve in the larger narrative? How do they complement or contrast with the prose sections?

3. Thistle uses the windigo, a creature from Indigenous mythology, to describe his deterioration while living on the streets. In what ways does this cultural symbolism deepen our understanding of his experience? How does it connect his personal struggle to his cultural identity?

4. The robin’s eggs Thistle steals as a child symbolize his yearning for a mother’s love. What other symbols throughout the memoir help illustrate his emotional journey and psychological state?

5. Thistle’s narrative moves between different timelines, particularly when he describes dreaming of the Battle of Batoche before he even knows its significance. How does this nonlinear storytelling reflect Thistle’s process of piecing together his identity?

6. The memoir balances individual choice with circumstances beyond control. How does Thistle navigate this tension in crafting his narrative? Does he ultimately present his story as one of personal triumph, systemic failure, or something more complex?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Design a physical object that represents Thistle’s journey. What would it be and what materials would you use? How would this object capture the transformation described in the memoir?

2. Imagine you could add a verse chapter to the memoir. At what point in Thistle’s story would you place it, and what images or metaphors would you include to enhance that particular moment?

3. Thistle and Lucie’s water ceremony at the lake felt more meaningful to Thistle than their official wedding. Create a ceremony that honors your own heritage and values in a way that feels authentic and significant beyond conventional traditions.

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