Best Indie Book Awards
- Native American Fiction
An award-winning novel by William George Lindsay
Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku
A Savage Life in Bits and Pieces
An unnerving and realistic depiction of the effects of Indian residential school upon a generation — written by someone who was there.
“A new classic of Indigenous literature.” Stuart Derdeyn, The Vancouver Sun
- Winner · 2023Best Indie Book Awards — Native American Fiction
- Double Finalist · 2023Next Generation Indie Book Awards
- Double Finalist · 2024American Legacy Book Awards
- Shortlist & Finalist · 2022Whistler Independent Book Awards — Fiction
About the author
William George Lindsay
Educator and award-winning author William G. Lindsay B.Ed. M.A. (Cree-Stoney) is happily retired as of 2022 after working for a quarter century in post-secondary education.
This was preceded by a career in the hotel-restaurant industry. Before a book writing sabbatical, his final position in education was as Senior Director, Indigenous Directions at Concordia University in Montréal. He has experience as a college professor, university educator, researcher and published writer, student services coordinator, Associate Director, Director, and Senior Director, across the following institutions:
- Concordia University
- Simon Fraser University
- University of British Columbia
- Douglas College
- Institute of Indigenous Government
- Native Education College
William’s award-winning book Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku: A Savage Life in Bits and Pieces was released on Amazon in December 2021. The Vancouver Sun and The Province published book reviews in May 2022, calling it “A new classic of Indigenous lit” and “An Indigenous odyssey for TRC times.” The book has been added to libraries across Canada and in the United States, and made the Burnaby Public Library’s list of the “Best Books of 2022.”
- 25 yrs
- in post-secondary education
- 7
- literary award honours, 2022–2024
- #1
- Hot New Release, Native American Literature — Amazon.ca
It has been featured at numerous events and conferences, including the Burnaby Festival of Learning, 2023; a keynote presentation at the International Society for Metal Music Studies conference, Montréal, 2023; the Native Education College Cultural Festival, Vancouver, 2024; and numerous Simon Fraser University and Burnaby Public Library events, 2022–2025.
The novel
Rez Dog Blues & The HaikuA Savage Life in Bits and Pieces
- eBook
- Paperback
- Hardcover
Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku: A Savage Life in Bits and Pieces is an unnerving and realistic depiction of the effects of Indian residential school upon a generation. Set in the protagonist’s youth and written by someone who was there, William George Lindsay explores residential schools, the reservation, addiction, violence, and life as a runaway on the city streets of Canada.
His Dickensian tale does not forget, however, the love, hope, humour, and courage that Indigenous people at the time exhibited, cultivated, and passed on, as a way to survive and even thrive. Readers are taken on a phantasmagorical journey as the protagonist goes from angry member of the punk generation to a possible redemptive and reconciliatory future. But will he and his cohorts survive to make it that far?
A brutal, hard, yet ultimately uplifting read, and one grounded in truth, Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku evokes prose, poetry, and music, telling a nuanced philosophical tale of life, death, and dignity amidst the chaos and carnage of the times.
Reviews
What critics are saying
A new classic of Indigenous literature.
An Indigenous Odyssey for TRC Times.
William George Lindsay’s Rez Dog Blues is essential, needed, indispensable, crucial, and vital.
Recognition
Awards & honours
During 2022–24, Rez Dog Blues & The Haiku was chosen for four literary awards programs across Canada and the United States.
Next Generation Indie Book Awards
- BIPOC Literature
- A First Novel Over 90,000 Words
American Legacy Book Awards
- Coming-of-Age Fiction
- Multicultural Fiction
Whistler Independent Book Awards
- Fiction Category
Highlights
Milestones
Readings, launches, conferences and classrooms — the book’s journey since its release.
2024
- Nov 16Author Talk, Bowen Island Public LibraryIn conversation with Brenda Morrison on the writing process and the book’s many lessons.
- 2024Native Education College Cultural Festival, Vancouver
- 2024Double Finalist, American Legacy Book AwardsComing-of-Age Fiction and Multicultural Fiction
- 2022–24Used to teach creative writing and haiku poetry in the Writing 101 Program, University of British Columbia2022–23 and 2023–24 academic years
2023
- JuneKeynote Presentation, ISMMS Conference, MontréalInternational Society for Metal Music Studies, Concordia University
- May 7Book featured at the Burnaby Festival of Learning
- Feb 23Book Discussion Group, Burnaby Public Library
- 2023Winner, Best Indie Book Awards — Native American Fiction
- 2023Double Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book AwardsBIPOC Literature and A First Novel Over 90,000 Words
2022
- DecBest Books of 2022 List, Burnaby Public Library
- NovNominated for Shortlist, then Finalist, Whistler Independent Book AwardsFiction Category
- NovSubject of SFU Woodward’s Below the Radar podcast series
- Oct 5Official Book Launch, Simon Fraser University“Lunch & Learn” Series
- OctConference presentation, Simon Fraser UniversityFacilities Directors
- OctReading, Whistler Writers Festival
- Sep 29In conversation with Joseph at the launch of My Indian Summer, Massy Art Gallery
- Sep 8Author Program Presentation & Reading, Burnaby Public Library
- May 7–8Positive book reviews in The Vancouver Sun and The ProvincePicked up by other media outlets across Canada
2021
- DecRez Dog Blues & The Haiku released on AmazonReached #1 in Hot New Releases, Native American Literature, on Amazon.ca
Where to find the book
On shelves & in libraries
Distributors & bookstores
Available through Amazon and IngramSpark online distributors, including Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Booktopia, AbeBooks, Everand, World of Books, Waterstones, Fishpond, Gandhi, IBS: Libri, Bokus, Buchhandlung Hugendubel, and more.
As of 2025, you can also find it in these Vancouver-area bookstores:
- Indigo-Chapters, Metrotown (Burnaby)
- Indigo-Chapters, South Granville
- Massy Books
- Pulp Fiction Books
- Iron Dog Books
Library collections
The book has been added to library collections across Canada, the United States and Australia — including Library and Archives Canada, the U.S. Library of Congress, Harvard University, and the University of British Columbia.
See all known library collections
National, university & college libraries
Library and Archives Canada, United States Library of Congress, Harvard University, University of Maine, Washington State University, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Concordia University (Edmonton), University of Saskatchewan, First Nations University of Canada, University of Winnipeg, Brock University, Carleton University, Laurentian University, Trent University, University of Toronto, Western University, York University, Concordia University (Montréal), McGill University, Colorado Mountain College, Douglas College, NorQuest College, Langara College, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, and Native Education College.
Civic libraries
Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Richmond, New Westminster, Whistler, Prince George, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Markham, Mississauga, Newmarket, Toronto, Whitby, Langley School District #35, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Library (Vancouver), Summit County Library (Colorado), Fairfield (Connecticut), Batesville (Indiana), Saint Joe Public Library (Indiana), Kenton County Public Library (Kentucky), Laurel County Public Library (Kentucky), Ludlow (Massachusetts), Reading (Massachusetts), Clarkesville (Michigan), Hackley Public Library (Muskegon, Michigan), Blue Earth (Minnesota), Goffstown Public Library (New Hampshire), Hudson Library and Historical Society (Ohio), Euclid Public Library (Ohio), Milton Public Library (Vermont), Carpenter-Carse Library (Vermont), and Perth-Belmont (Ruth Faulkner Public Library, Western Australia).
Regional libraries
Santa Clara County Library District (California), Coopersville Area District Library (Michigan), Douglas County Libraries (Colorado), Clark County Library District (Las Vegas), Capital District Libraries (Michigan), Grant Area District Library (Michigan), Atlantic County Library System (New Jersey), Mid-Hudson Library System (New York), Geauga County Public Library (Ohio), Caledon Public Library (Ontario), Huron County Public Library (Ontario), Palliser Regional Library, Parkland Regional Library, Southeast Regional Library, Wapiti Regional Library, Wheatland Regional Library, Lakeland Regional Library, Chinook Regional Library, Vancouver Island Regional Library, and Yukon Public Libraries.
Photo gallery
Readings, launches & moments
Get in touch
Contact William
For readings, book clubs, classroom visits, conference presentations, media and interview requests — send a note and William will get back to you.