Anishinaabe grandmother Judii Merle has cleverly woven tradition and history, using Ojibwe phrases, words and pronunciation, and with it, cultural authenticity, to tell her semi-biographical story. Wabanang encounters along the way both kind and cantankerous Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who shape her life and memories of coming of age as an Ojibwe girl and of the dehumanizing residential school experience. As this young kwe matures, we witness the spirit and courage of her ancestors, brought to life in a roughly assembled courtroom. There she finds resolve from the least expected characters in this compelling, realistic-yet-fictional first-time novel-- Barbara Hooper, founding member, Katarokwi Grandmothers' Council. Wabanang powerfully brings to life the terrible damage caused by the residential schools.