François!

Loomis follows up Blue Duwamish with a lively if mystifying portrait of French Canadian fur trader François Payette (1793–1844) and those in his orbit during his exploration of the Pacific Northwest. Framed as an oral history, most of the narrative comes from Payette himself as he chronicles the day-to-day events of his life as a trapper, including his dealings with Indigenous peoples, such as a woman named Wades in Marsh Water, who gives birth to his son. Their child, Baptiste, narrates his own section about his experiences in the residential school system, while Wades in Marsh Water describes her work as a healer and medicine woman. Others, such as settlers to the region, discuss their relations with Native Americans and the taking of their lands. Loomis makes clear in an author’s note that he’s taken liberties with the historical record, but a few anachronisms stick out, such as a mention of Alberta long before the name was used. Still, the writing is energetic and colorful, as in Payette’s description of his fallen scout during an attack by Walawalałáma Indians (“He looked like a porcupine after he was showered with arrows and crawling”). Western fans ought to take a look. (Self-published)