Scratching River by Michelle Porter

Scratching Riverbraids the voices of mother, brother, sister, ancestor, and river to create a story about environmental, personal, and collective healing.

This memoir revolves around a search for home for the author's older brother, who is both autistic and schizophrenic, and an unexpected emotional journey that led to acceptance, understanding and, ultimately, reconciliation. Michelle Porter brings together the oral history of a Mtis ancestor, studies of river morphology, and news clippings about abuse her older brother endured at a rural Alberta group home to tell a tale about love, survival, and hope. This book is a voice in your ear, urging you to explore your own braided histories and relationships. (From Wilfrid Laurier University Press)

Michelle Porter is aMtis writer.She is also the author of the novel A Grandmother Begins the Story,the nonfiction bookApproaching Fire,which wasshortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Award in 2021, and a book of poetry,Inquiries,which wasshortlisted for the PatLowther Memorial Award. She lives in Newfoundland and Labrador.Porter made the2019 CBC Nonfiction Prize longlistfor her storyFireweed. Before that, she'dalso made the2017 CBC Poetry Prize longlistforSlicing Lemons in Apriland the2016 CBC Poetry Prize longlistforBetween you and home.