“The Break” by Katherena Vermette

Katherena Vermette‘s novel The Break is about how a young 13-year-old Metis girl, Emily, is sexually assaulted at a party one night. The story makes a journey into the thoughts and feelings of each individual connected to Emily. Katherena Vermette tells a story through the eyes of everyone who is directly or indirectly linked to Emily, to uncover the truth about what happened that night.

I chose to study this story, because of the many connections one could make to each character. Everyone in the story also has some problems of their own and it shows the regular lives of a lot of aboriginals, specifically the Metis peoples living in the west.

The story takes place in Winnipeg’s North End. Tommy, a Metis police officer feels caught between two different worlds, as he uncovers the secrets of the case. Stella has separated herself from the rest of her family. Lou is afraid of losing everyone she loves. Cheryl mourns for her sister, rain, and Phoenix is a homeless teenager who broke out of a holding facility. The story deeply tells of the lives of first nations and the storms they struggle with.