Now You Know Me: Seeing the Unhidden Truth in Settler Colonialism

Now You Know Me: Seeing the Unhidden Truth in Settler Colonialism by k’ʷunəmɛn Joe Gallagher and John Matterson.​

Massy Books
Indigo
Amazon Canada

From the Publisher:

Now You Know Me tells of a journey of understanding between two old friends who grew up in different worlds in the same small town of Powell River, BC, on traditional Tla’amin land. Joe Gallagher, who is Tla’amin, and John Matterson, who is white, were friends as teenagers but went their separate ways before reconnecting 35 years later and truly getting to know each other.

As John began to listen more deeply to Joe’s history, they journeyed together through the historic events and attitudes that deeply wounded the Tla’amin and their way of life. With each conversation, John’s understanding of Joe’s life and recognition of his own unearned advantages and blind participation in racism became clearer.​

In their illuminating dialogue in Now You Know Me, we learn what it took for Joe to straddle two worlds while battling racism, a traumatic childhood, and his father’s warning that he couldn’t succeed in a white world without working twice as hard. Despite ongoing suffering from multigenerational harms, Joe garnered broad respect on his way to becoming CEO of a ground breaking Indigenous-led health organization, bringing hope and a collaborative spirit to a revolution in health and wellness for BC First Nations.​

Today, John is committed to ongoing learning and allyship, while Joe is called on by First Nations leaders as well as senior leaders inhealth and government as an able navigator of the movement toward Truth and Reconciliation.​

From Lena Ross on Amazon.ca

“I would describe this book as deeply generous. So much is shared with its reader: the moving story of Joe’s life and his incredible accomplishments; insight into past and present impacts of systemic racism; stories of First Nations people’s resilience and achievement; challenges to assumptions rooted in settler colonialism; poignant lessons for how to live a good life; and an inspiring vision for the future. Reading this book had a real impact on me. I feel very fortunate to have read it and would recommend it to anyone.”

From Susan Bennett on Hancock House.com​

“Now You Know Me” is a book of powerfully raw conversations, insights and historical information that will make those of us, of comfortable settlor colonial heritage, squirm. Many of us are too confused or fearful to enter into the process of learning about the history of First Nations people. Real truth, spoken in Joe’s straightforward and respectful language, is challenging to hear. His accomplishments are remarkable as is his tireless pursuit of fair treatment for his people. John’s passionate and compassionate writing compels you to follow him on his journey of rooting out prejudice and embracing advocacy. These two men, Joe and John, possess the qualities of courage and humility which they have generously shared in the creation of this book. The question is – does the reader possess the same to start their own journey of understanding or will they continue to look away? I am not sure anyone can read this book and remain unchanged “

Qoqoq Consulting offers a unique service built around Now You Know Me. Benefiting from Joe’s and John’s sharing, the Qoqoq teamoffers facilitation assistance on using the book for un/learning purposes as part of our projects and contracts. ​

You can contact Joe or John about speaking engagements and workshops.​

Qoqoq is also developing a facilitator’s guide for workplace or classroom use (Coming Soon).

Also check out the review from Kenneth Favrholdt from BC Review:

Kenneth Favrholdt reviews Now You Know Me: Seeing the Unhidden Truth in Settler Colonialism by k’ʷunəmɛn Joe Gallagher and John Matterson

The Tla’amin Nation (formerly Sliammon First Nation) community is located at t̓išosəm (milky waters) on the Sunshine Coast, justnorth of Powell River. Our traditional territory spans along the northern part of BC’s Sunshine Coast, extending down both sides of theStraight of Georgia, occupying an area over 400 square kilometers in size