For Joshua: An Ojibway Father Teaches His Son is the third book by novelist and newspaper journalist Richard Wagamese. This poignant memoir was written especially for the author's estranged son, Joshua. Dealing with a personal history of foster homes, adoption, and alcoholism, the author writes a moving account of these events and his personal search for healing and belonging. The author doesn't dwell on the problems of his life but weaves anecdotes of this early life into a four-day vision quest guided by an Ojibwe elder. Wagamese also includes appropriate Ojibwe teachings and legends within his spiritual experience. His loneliness and feelings of shame and low self-esteem were always overwhelming but during the vision quest he acknowledges and overcomes many of his personal fears. Within the teachings are specific details about the medicine wheel, sweat lodge, the sacred pipe, tobacco, sweet grass, cedar, and sage. The appropriate usage of each of these is outlined and the Ojibwe elder stresses that these healing "medicines" should be respected and that personal healing should not be approached with a shake and bake approach. The elder stresses that healing is a journey and the answers are often within us. Wagamese had believed the new age and Hollywood stereotypes of healing and originally wanted a quick fix method of healing. Wagamese does not dwell on victimhood of Aboriginal People although in his younger days he had embraced the angry Indian image of some activists. In fact in the personal letter to his young son Wagamese stress that all Canadians can embrace the land because those born here are in fact native to Canada. Wagamese's book is his effort to fulfill his traditional role as an Ojibwe man. For Joshua fulfills this responsibility because it shows how a father can teach his son even through the printed word. An excellent resource for anyone interested in addictions, adoption issues, and healing through traditional Ojibwe spirituality.