Call Me Indian
From the Trauma of Residential School to Becoming the NHL's First Treaty Indigenous Player
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Call Me Indian
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Narrated by:
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Wilton Littlechild
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Written by:
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Fred Sasakamoose
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Bryan Trottier - foreword
About this listen
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
"Fred Sasakamoose played in the NHL before First Nations people had the right to vote in Canada. This page turner will have you cheering for 'Fast Freddy' as he faces off against huge challenges both on and off the ice--a great gift to every proud hockey fan, Canadian, and Indigenous person."
— Wab Kinew, Leader of the Manitoba NDP and author of The Reason You Walk
Trailblazer. Residential school Survivor. First Treaty Indigenous player in the NHL. All of these descriptions are true—but none of them tell the whole story.
Fred Sasakamoose, torn from his home at the age of seven, endured the horrors of residential school for a decade before becoming one of 120 players in the most elite hockey league in the world. He has been heralded as the first Indigenous player with Treaty status in the NHL, making his official debut as a 1954 Chicago Black Hawks player on Hockey Night in Canada and teaching Foster Hewitt how to pronounce his name. Sasakamoose played against such legends as Gordie Howe, Jean Beliveau, and Maurice Richard. After twelve games, he returned home.
When people tell Sasakamoose's story, this is usually where they end it. They say he left the NHL to return to the family and culture that the Canadian government had ripped away from him. That returning to his family and home was more important to him than an NHL career. But there was much more to his decision than that. Understanding Sasakamoose's choice means acknowledging the dislocation and treatment of generations of Indigenous peoples. It means considering how a man who spent his childhood as a ward of the government would hear those supposedly golden words: "You are Black Hawks property."
Sasakamoose's story was far from over once his NHL days concluded. He continued to play for another decade in leagues around Western Canada. He became a band councillor, served as Chief, and established athletic programs for kids. He paved a way for youth to find solace and meaning in sports for generations to come. Yet, threaded through these impressive accomplishments were periods of heartbreak and unimaginable tragedy--as well moments of passion and great joy.
This isn't just a hockey story; Sasakamoose's groundbreaking memoir sheds piercing light on Canadian history and Indigenous politics, and follows this extraordinary man's journey to reclaim pride in an identity and a heritage that had previously been used against him.
©2021 Fred Sasakamoose and Bryan Trottier (P)2021 VikingYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
National best seller
One of Indigo's Top 10 Books of 2021
Indigo Staff Pick of The Month for Non-Fiction
“Fred Sasakamoose played in the NHL before First Nations people had the right to vote in Canada. This page turner will have you cheering for 'Fast Freddy' as he faces off against huge challenges both on and off the ice - a great gift to every proud hockey fan, Canadian, and Indigenous person.” (Wab Kinew, leader of the Manitoba NDP and author of The Reason You Walk)
"Call Me Indian needs to be in every library and on every school curriculum in Canada. Fred Sasakamoose’s story is gripping and powerfully told - a story of triumph and tragedy, of great success and the perils of excess. There is laughter and tears here aplenty, but also inspiration. Characters as large as Gordie Howe and Bobby Hull are easily matched by the likes of Moosum, Freddy’s grandfather; Father Roussel, the only good to be found in residential school; George Vogan, who always believed in Fred - and Loretta, who loved him, gave him family, and ultimately saved him.” (Roy MacGregor, best-selling author of Chief: The Fearless Vision of Billy Diamond and Canadians: Portrait of a Country and Its People)
"Sasakamoose goes on to become an award-winning player and a celebrated storyteller, an inspiration to Indigenous communities across the country. Fred Sasakamoose['s]...legacy is not ancient history; thanks to this memoir, his continuing presence will become all the more widely and deeply felt." (Winnipeg Free Press)
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What listeners say about Call Me Indian
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dusty Richard
- 2021-08-14
What a journey
I was sickened. I was sad. I was angry. I was proud. Great Read
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- K. V. Horst
- 2024-02-23
Compelling! A Must Read
Loved how the author shared fully of his life, embracing his identity and honest about his joys and challenges.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2025-04-03
Hockey is lucky to have this story
And as an Indigenous person, I am lucky to have witnessed the story of this hockey player, Indigenous school survivor and author. He’s a volunteer, family man and philanthropist as well as community leader. The experiences of racism in hockey was expressed and it’s shocking to think about how non challant folks were about it. I hope the ones he knew back then read his book.
The audio book reader was most excellent. Chief/Dr Willie Littlechild did an outstanding job.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- RL9
- 2021-12-01
Eye Opening!
Great story which tears at your heart and feelings. Felt the pain of Fred throughout, but also enjoyed the highs that he did have.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- scott
- 2023-03-20
Fantastic Story Telling
This book is one to be read (listened) by all, not just sports and hockey fans. Sasakamoose’ story of his past and horrors of the residential schools are eye opening and ones that need to be heard more.
This is a book I will share with many and my own children once they are older.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2021-09-20
Absolutely awesome book
The story is told from the heart and wonderfully narrates. There’s good times, sad times and incredibly inspiring times. I am so proud of Fred and the amazing trail he blazed for his people. Hai hai Moshum.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 2023-01-16
Great book!
This book is much more than Mr Sasakamoose’s hockey career, it’s very well written and narrated.. I have recommended to friends, Mr Sasakamoose has lived quite an interesting life in northern Sask..
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-06-07
Honest and moving story
I enjoyed the honesty of the author throughout the book. The narrator brought the story to life. A fantastic read!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Theresa
- 2022-04-03
Amazing Narration!
I soaked in his accent and felt more connected by hearing our native language spoken throughout the book. Beautiful story of sport, love, and healing. I will listen to this one again!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-05-30
Way more than just a hockey book
This is an important story for indigenous and non-indigenous alike, and recommend the read. Powerful descriptions of the residential school experience and the hurdles faced by North American indigenous.
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