I read Stoney Creek Woman for a Native Studies class in one of my last terms of university and I found it to be an touching story about the life of Mary John. This book allowed the readers to see an insight into her life both in this distant history and the recent history, shortly before her death in 2004! Throughout the book you learn of the life experiences that Mary John had due to being a Carrier Native in central BC, it is a first hand look at how Residential Schools effected an entire community, about how they lost and regained their culture and spirituality though a lot of tragedy, heartbreak, determination, and spirit. Not only do you learn about the life of Mary John, and about how much of an inspiration she was for her people and for society in general, but you also learn about the lives of those around her, her community, her family, and her culture. Stoney Creek Woman is written a way that is accessible to readers, you feel as though you are sitting there with Mary John and she is telling you the stories first hand, whereas with many other biographies you feel as though you are being lectured at.

This was one of my favourite University Textbooks and it is a must read for anyone wanting to learn more about the Carrier nation and their history. It is also an empowering novel about the strength and determination of females, where Mary John is not seen as a delicate flower, but instead as a central part of her community and her culture.