Small Fires, Long Winters, Ryan Murray

Small Fires, Long Winters is a creative non-fiction memoir that recounts the author’s
time as a young teacher in Kashechewan, a remote Cree First Nation community on
the west coast of James Bay in Northern Ontario. Seeking direction after finishing
graduate school and struggling with debt, Murray accepted a teaching position that
immersed him in the unfamiliar and isolated community. Through strong
storytelling, Murray describes his journey north, the challenges of life in the
community, and his relationships with colleagues, students, and locals. He
witnessed both hardship and beauty—unsafe water, poverty, and trauma alongside
laughter, strength, and cultural pride. Themes of hockey, survival, and community
bonds run throughout—whether in the classroom, on the rink, or through cultural
experiences such as a sweat lodge ceremony. He also adopted a stray puppy who
became both a steadfast companion and a symbol of resilience. By the end, he
leaves Kashechewan, changed by the experience. The epilogue reflects on what he
carried forward: a deeper understanding of Indigenous resilience, an enduring
friendship with students and colleagues, and a lifelong connection to the North.