EBOOK
The Many Names of Robert Cree
How A First Nations Chief Brought Ancient Wisdom To Big Business And Prosperity To His People
Robert Cree(0)
About
His mother called him "Bobby Mountain." Elders called him "Great Man." His people called him "Chief." Oil men called him "Mr. Cree." But the government called him "Number 53." Robert Cree was all of these while facing his people's oppressors and freeing the ghosts of tortured spirits.
The Many Names of Robert Cree is his first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase traditional Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and healing, as Cree takes the wisdom of his ancestors and a message of reconciliation to the halls of government and to industry boardrooms.
In the storytelling tradition of his people, Cree recounts his early years in the bush, his captivity at a residential school, his struggles with addiction, his political awakening as one of Canada's youngest First Nation Chiefs, and the rising Indigenous activism of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He also recounts the oil industry's arrival on his poverty-stricken reserve and the ensuing struggle to balance economic opportunity with environmental challenges.
Throughout, Cree's leadership is rooted in his unshakable commitment to the sacred traditional teachings of his people. His beliefs give him the strength to focus on hope, dignity, and building a better future for his community. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a powerful force that can bring healing and transformation for all.
His mother called him "Bobby Mountain." Elders called him "Great Man." His people called him "Chief." Oil men called him "Mr. Cree." But the government called him "Number 53." Robert Cree was all of these while facing his people's oppressors and freeing the ghosts of tortured spirits.
Elder and Knowledge Keeper Robert Cree is widely respected as a spiritual leader, teacher, and businessman. He is the former Chief of Fort McMurray First Nation 468, where he still resides.
Therese Greenwood is an award-winning journalist and author. Her memoir, What You Take with You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was a finalist for an Alberta Book Publishing Award. She lives in Fort McMurry, Alberta.
Sales and Market Bullets
• ESTEEMED INDIGENOUS VOICE: Elder Robert Cree is a widely respected spiritual leader, educator, and businessman. The former Chief of Fort McMurray First Nation 468, Cree was elected one of Canada's youngest First Nation Chiefs at only 27 years old. Today, he is one of the most sought-after speakers and consultants on Indigenous culture and truth and reconciliation.
• ADDRESSES THE HORRIFYING REALITIES OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS: Since 2021, when the remains of 215 children were found buried at a former B.C. residential school, much coverage has been given to the awful truths of residential schools. Cree's writing is a welcome first-person story and offers insights on healing from that trauma.
• FOR READERS OF: From the Ashes (Jesse Thistle), Unreconciled (Jesse Wente), Half-Bads in White Regalia (Cody Caetano), Life in the City of Dirty Water (Clayton Thomas-Müller), Walk Through Fire (Sheila Johnson).
• CO-AUTHORED BY A SEASONED JOURNALIST: There is no one better to help Robert Cree share his story than Therese Greenwood, who brings her pedigree as a reporter, editor, and CBC Radio correspondent to the project. Her memoir of the Fort McMurray wildfire, What You Take with You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was a finalist for the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards from the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.
• WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY: Cree has long been an integral part of his community, notably founding the Indigenous-owned company Christina River Enterprises in 1987 to aid employment. Cree has also changed logging practices, built vital infrastr
The Many Names of Robert Cree is his first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase traditional Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and healing, as Cree takes the wisdom of his ancestors and a message of reconciliation to the halls of government and to industry boardrooms.
In the storytelling tradition of his people, Cree recounts his early years in the bush, his captivity at a residential school, his struggles with addiction, his political awakening as one of Canada's youngest First Nation Chiefs, and the rising Indigenous activism of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He also recounts the oil industry's arrival on his poverty-stricken reserve and the ensuing struggle to balance economic opportunity with environmental challenges.
Throughout, Cree's leadership is rooted in his unshakable commitment to the sacred traditional teachings of his people. His beliefs give him the strength to focus on hope, dignity, and building a better future for his community. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a powerful force that can bring healing and transformation for all.
His mother called him "Bobby Mountain." Elders called him "Great Man." His people called him "Chief." Oil men called him "Mr. Cree." But the government called him "Number 53." Robert Cree was all of these while facing his people's oppressors and freeing the ghosts of tortured spirits.
Elder and Knowledge Keeper Robert Cree is widely respected as a spiritual leader, teacher, and businessman. He is the former Chief of Fort McMurray First Nation 468, where he still resides.
Therese Greenwood is an award-winning journalist and author. Her memoir, What You Take with You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was a finalist for an Alberta Book Publishing Award. She lives in Fort McMurry, Alberta.
Sales and Market Bullets
• ESTEEMED INDIGENOUS VOICE: Elder Robert Cree is a widely respected spiritual leader, educator, and businessman. The former Chief of Fort McMurray First Nation 468, Cree was elected one of Canada's youngest First Nation Chiefs at only 27 years old. Today, he is one of the most sought-after speakers and consultants on Indigenous culture and truth and reconciliation.
• ADDRESSES THE HORRIFYING REALITIES OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS: Since 2021, when the remains of 215 children were found buried at a former B.C. residential school, much coverage has been given to the awful truths of residential schools. Cree's writing is a welcome first-person story and offers insights on healing from that trauma.
• FOR READERS OF: From the Ashes (Jesse Thistle), Unreconciled (Jesse Wente), Half-Bads in White Regalia (Cody Caetano), Life in the City of Dirty Water (Clayton Thomas-Müller), Walk Through Fire (Sheila Johnson).
• CO-AUTHORED BY A SEASONED JOURNALIST: There is no one better to help Robert Cree share his story than Therese Greenwood, who brings her pedigree as a reporter, editor, and CBC Radio correspondent to the project. Her memoir of the Fort McMurray wildfire, What You Take with You: Wildfire, Family and the Road Home, was a finalist for the 2020 Alberta Book Publishing Awards from the Book Publishers Association of Alberta.
• WORKING FOR THE COMMUNITY: Cree has long been an integral part of his community, notably founding the Indigenous-owned company Christina River Enterprises in 1987 to aid employment. Cree has also changed logging practices, built vital infrastr
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Reviews
"Fort McMurray First Nation chief Cree charts his path from a horrific childhood to a fulfilling life in this moving debut. [His] optimism rings true, even as his blunt account of state-sanctioned abuse haunts. The result is an affecting, hard-won testament to the power of perseverance."
Publishers Weekly