Valley of the Birdtail by Andrew Stobo Sniderman & Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii)
In Valley of the Birdtail, alumni Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson tell the story of two communities in Manitoba “divided by a valley, a river and 150 years of racism”. This book held a special significance for me, given my close proximity to Rossburn and my mother's upbringing there. It narrates a poignant and sobering tale of how two communities diverged, becoming segregated and unequal—a narrative with implications far beyond their borders. In Rossburn, settled by Ukrainian immigrants seeking refuge from poverty and persecution, the average family income mirrors the national average, with a notable proportion of adults holding university degrees. Conversely, in Waywayseecappo, families often struggle below the national poverty line, and educational attainment levels are significantly lower,...