Reader's Diary #1794- Taqralik Partridge: Fifteen Lakota Visitors

I first encountered Taqralik Patridge with her short story "Igloolik" a couple of years back. Having loved that story, I was not surprised to hear that another of her short stories, "Fifteen Lakota Visitors" has been shortlisted for the 2018 CBC Short Story Prize.

This story, initially told by a dying girl, involves a perhaps surprising bond between her Inuit family and a family of Lakota. As the cultures are so distinct and from such different locales, even the girl herself is a bit perplexed. Nonetheless, it's a strong and beautiful relationship that begins to make more sense. It also provides some much needed comfort.

Besides the warm message, the writing is also incredibly strong in the voice and with a powerful switch in perspective near the end.