Author Richard Wagamese on his novel Indian Horse

In her introduction to her interview with author Richard Wagamese, Shelagh Rogers describes the cover of his new book, Indian Horse, as "suggestive and mysterious," with photographs of footsteps in the snow and boys racing on a frozen lake.

The host ofCBCRadio'sThe Next Chapteris withWagameseat his Paul Lake home nearKamloops, B.C., a place he describes as "magical,"and where he can "drink in the atmosphere of creation."

It is 2012, and he has just released hisnewest novel.

It tells the story of Saul Indian Horse, a youngOjibwayboy who is sent to a residential school and finds his escape through the game of hockey.

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Wagamesespeaks of his own experience with residential schools, his placement in foster and adoptive homes, and how that affected him throughout his life.

A self-described "wild hockey player" until he was 39, he talks about what the game meant to him and to Saul.

He describes the book as being "about hockey, residential schools and redemption, but in the end I think it's about Canada."

Indian Horse wasa selection for Canada Reads in 2013, and the film adaptation played at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017.

In his debutnovel,Keeper'n Me,Wagamesealso wovefiction and his own history together, as he tellsMiddayhost Tina Srebotnjak in this 1994 clip:

Richard Wagamese on his debut novel

30 years ago

Duration 3:17

Richard Wagamese talks to Midday host Tina Srebotnjak about his debut novel, Keeper'n Me.

RichardWagamesedied in March of 2017, at the age of 61.