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Life in the City of Dirty Water

Written by: Clayton Thomas-Muller
Narrated by: Clayton Thomas-Muller
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Publisher's Summary

*FINALIST FOR 2022 CANADA READS*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 J.W. DAFOE BOOK PRIZE*
*SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2022 MANITOBA BOOK AWARDS’ MCNALLY ROBINSON BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD*

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A gritty and inspiring memoir from renowned Cree environmental activist Clayton Thomas-Muller, who escaped the world of drugs and gang life to take up the warrior’s fight against the assault on Indigenous peoples’ lands—and eventually the warrior’s spirituality.


There have been many Clayton Thomas-Mullers: The child who played with toy planes as an escape from domestic and sexual abuse, enduring the intergenerational trauma of Canada's residential school system; the angry youngster who defended himself with fists and sharp wit against racism and violence, at school and on the streets of Winnipeg and small-town British Columbia; the tough teenager who, at 17, managed a drug house run by members of his family, and slipped in and out of juvie, operating in a world of violence and pain.

But behind them all, there was another Clayton: the one who remained immersed in Cree spirituality, and who embraced the rituals and ways of thinking vital to his heritage; the one who reconnected with the land during summer visits to his great-grandparents' trapline in his home territory of Pukatawagan in northern Manitoba.

And it's this version of Clayton that ultimately triumphed, finding healing by directly facing the trauma that he shares with Indigenous peoples around the world. Now a leading organizer and activist on the frontlines of environmental resistance, Clayton brings his warrior spirit to the fight against the ongoing assault on Indigenous peoples' lands by Big Oil.

Tying together personal stories of survival that bring the realities of the First Nations of this land into sharp focus, and lessons learned from a career as a frontline activist committed to addressing environmental injustice at a global scale, Thomas-Muller offers a narrative and vision of healing and responsibility.

©2021 Clayton Thomas-Muller (P)2021 Allen Lane

What the critics say

2022, Canada Reads, Short-listed

2022, Dafoe Book Prize, Short-listed

2022, McNally Robinson Book of the Year, Short-listed

“This book is an adventure story in every way. A life of drug dealers and crackhouses and guns; leaving that behind for a remarkable time of spiritual and personal growth; and there’s the ongoing adventure of working desperately to protect the planet and its sacred places. Clayton Thomas-Müller relates these adventures in ways that will help everyone through unfamiliar terrain—he’s a trustworthy guide and an authentic storyteller. In a moment when Indigenous people around the world are coming to the very fore of the most crucial fights, this volume will broaden your understanding in powerful ways. And you won’t forget its scenes any time soon.” (Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org and author of Earth and Oil and Honey)

“Clayton Thomas-Müller—Cree poet and environmental warrior dedicated to decolonization—has crafted an awesome, lyrical memoir that captures the experiences of urban Indigenous youth facing poverty, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, and juvenile detention. Most, like Clayton, inherited the intergenerational trauma of residential schools. Clayton found a way to escape trauma and poverty in order to fight for his people. This beautifully written book is required reading for everyone who cares about justice for the survivors of genocide who continue to survive in colonized conditions. It offers a path to liberation that may also be the way to saving the earth and humanity itself.” (Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States)

“The one thing that Clayton is able to do is he connects the past with the future. I think that’s what sets it apart from all the other books. We have an uncertain future ahead of us and he really takes what he’s learned from his past, his culture, his spirituality, his ancestors—and all those stories of creation and spirituality that make us a whole community. It makes the First Nations and all the people of Canada whole. It’s that wholeness that’s going to bring us forward. So I feel like Life in the City of Dirty Water really was able to do that better than any other book. It shows us a pathway forward as we try to deal with upcoming trauma that is undoubtedly going to happen as the climate changes.” (Suzanne Simard, bestselling author of Finding the Mother Tree, Canada Reads)

Featured Article: Canadian Voice Narrators That You Need to Listen to

Discover the voices and stories of Canada with this list of Canadian narrators and authors who are bringing Canadian tales to life in these incredible audiobooks.

What listeners say about Life in the City of Dirty Water

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Opened My Eyes

The author paved the way to me opening my eyes to many injustices. He speaks from his heart. I felt like he was sitting with me telling his story/memoir. Reminded me I must speak my truth even if my voice is shaky.

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Incredible and Moving: a Must Read!

I absolutely love that this book was narrated by Clayton himself. It felt like I was sitting with him listening to him tell me the story about his life and teachings. Meegwetch!!!

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  • Overall
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Relateable & Hopeful

A great look into modern Indigenous life and POSSIBILITY for the future!
Feet in the ground, eyes in the future.

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Every Canadian needs to read this

Every time I read another Indigenous story, I am connected deeper and deeper to my culture. thank you Clayton. I identified with so much of this...having recently traveled to Winnipeg, and fallen in love with the city. thank you.

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Brilliantly Enlightening

I loved that the author narrated, he brought every person he talked about in his story to life. A beautiful authentic tale about the struggles and battles our indigenous communities have faced and our still facing as we hope to move to the beginnings of reconciliation. A great history lesson and bringing mindfulness that humanity and all creation is one. Thank you Clayton.

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Clayton with Spirit

Highly recommend for all Canadians & earth's people: everything is connected. Rare humour & insight.

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An important story

I really wanted to like this memoir. As one of the Canada Reads finalists I was expecting it to be a great read. His personal story of growing up was truly engaging. The timeline moves around a lot and often seems disconnected. I don't usually mind stories that are non-linear as sometimes a more stream of consciousness approach can be informative. But the book seemed to lack focus and I struggled to stick with it. There were great stories buried in there, but at times it just seemed dry... like reading a resume with some additional facts thrown in. I am glad I read this book and I think it is a gift for Clayton to share his story. My issue is more with how the story was written and edited.

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Inspiring person but story disjointed

I will preface this to say that the Life so far lived by the author is incredibly inspiring and shows such resilience. I learned a great deal about the specific movements that he was involved in and more about indigenous trauma. However I was quite disappointed in the overall story it was disjointed and hard to follow at times moving all over the place. In all due respect to the author I think it might’ve been better narrated by somebody else because I didn’t really enjoy the narration. It is certainly a story worth hearing but it wasn’t the easiest one to listen to and I would expect would’ve been a difficult read as well. I was committed to finish it as I always read the shortlist for Canada reads. If it was not for that I probably would’ve stopped reading partway through.

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left an indelible mark on me

incredible...raw, courageous, authentic, humourous, poignant and a must read for all Canadians. an amazing story teller

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A Great Story

Such an inspiring story, thanks for sharing your story Clayton Thomas. Your story an example and has taught me to have courage to fight for what I believe in, to love through anger.

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