Seasons of Hope - by James K Bartleman (Paperback)

About the Book

James Bartleman looks back over a life that has brought him from an impoverished Native childhood to serving as an ambassador, and as lieutenant governor of Ontario. From a global career, through bottomless depression, to his crowning achievements promoting Native education in Canada, Bartleman tells his incredible story in his own words.

Book Synopsis

2016 Speaker's Book Award -- Shortlisted

A look back over Bartleman's seventy years, from his childhood of poverty to becoming the Queen's representative in Ontario.

James Bartleman, Ontario's first Native lieutenant governor, looks back over seventy years to his childhood and youth to describe how learning to read at any early age led him to dream dreams, empowering him to serve his country as an ambassador. In time, Bartleman's exciting and fulfilling career as a Canadian diplomat took him to a dozen countries around the world, from Bangladesh to Cuba, and from Australia to South Africa.

After a vicious beating in a hotel room robbery in South Africa, however, he was forced to come to terms with a deepening depression. In the end, Bartleman found new meaning in life when he became the Queen's representative in Ontario and mobilized the public to support his initiatives championing books and education for Native children.

Seasons of Hope is the extraordinary story of an extraordinary man, and of his constant journey to hope.

Review Quotes

Seasons of Hope chronicles Bartleman's rise to the upper echelons of political circles in Canada, detailing his extensive experiences abroad and at home, with a particular focus on his advocacy work for native children here in Canada.-- "Quill and Quire"

A compelling story by one of its great practitioners about Canadian diplomacy around the world ... an extremely important book for all Canadians; for what it means about the challenges, hardships, opportunities, and the future for Indigenous Canadians.-- "Eddie Goldenberg, political advisor and author of The Way It Works: Inside Ottawa"

About the Author

James Bartleman is the former lieutenant governor of Ontario and the bestselling author of the novels As Long as the Rivers Flow and The Redemption of Oscar Wolf. A member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, he is also a retired ambassador and a member of the Order of Canada. He lives in Perth, Ontario.