THUNDER BAY — Ma-Nee Chacaby is a two-spirit Ojibwa-Cree writer, artist, storyteller and activist.
Chacaby can now add 2025 Canada Reads winner to her list of accomplishments.
Her memoir, A Two-Spirit Journey, Chacaby recounts her journey from overcoming experiences with abuse and alcohol addiction to becoming a counsellor and leading Thunder Bay's first gay pride parade.
She was watching the broadcast online with her friends on Thursday when her book was named the winner.
“When they said we won, I thought, holy cow, that's what I said, holy mackerel.
“I was so happy and all my friends were there with me and we just hugged each other and they were congratulating me.”
Chacaby said she doesn’t really like the word winners.
“They have to select one winner. I think we're all winners when we do something. All the book writers, they're all winners. Even storytellers, they're all winners. We're just different kind of people, that's all.
“It almost feels like you have to be in a competition in order to be recognized. That's not what my grandmother would want,” Chacaby said.
Chacaby grew up in the Obambkika area, on Lake Nipigon, raised by her grandmother.
The book was written for Chacaby to share her story, buy also to inspire others to share theirs.
“I used to say, I want to write a book, but since I don't go to a big school, I'm not going to be able to write a book because when you go to school, you have to write a certain way, not the way you talk,” she said.
“I would like all of the older generation, old people and young, to write their life stories and about legends and about anything," said Chacaby.
“Put the encouragement out there. That’s my message and I love everybody.”
Life is all about love and respect, Chacaby said.
“The young person that defended the book did really good job. She is now my new granddaughter. Her name is Shayla Stonechild. I'm so proud of her,” Chacaby said.
Podcaster and wellness advocate, Stonechild, championed the memoir during the public broadcaster's book debate.
Stonechild is a Red River Métis and Nehiyaw iskwew (Plains Cree woman) from Muscowpetung First Nation. She is described in her bio as a strong voice for Indigenous empowerment.
Chacaby and Stonechild met online because they wanted to get to know each other.
“I call her my little warrior. She's my little warrior now.
“I love her comments because I think it has to create action from other people. Not me, particularly, I'm not going to get into action, but I'm hoping other people will get inspired by this and start writing their story,” said Chacaby.
As the winner of Canada Reads, Chacaby and her co-author Mary Louisa Plummer do not receive a cash prize, but the program typically draws attention and nominees can generally expect to see a boost in book sales.
Chacaby said she will have to wait until she gets her annual royalties cheque to see how much of an impact the contest had on sales.
