Robert Poirier reveals an exceptional skill at bringing to life the people with whom he lives and the land he inhabits and loves. In five stories and one novella, readers escape the city, live in the wilds, and experience the challenges of nature, including human nature, in all its complexity. Be it love lost on a canoe trip; conflicting values and naked conflict between natives and newcomers; the dangers, excitement, and solitude of winter traveling and camping with dogsleds; or the barroom and prison enforcer straight out of a Johnny Cash song, Poirier writes brilliantly about what he knows best.

Robert A. Poirier was born and raised in Maniwaki, Quebec. Although Washika is his first novel, he has been writing short stories for many years. After studying science as a mature student at Carleton University (Ottawa), he moved back to Maniwaki where he co-founded the local Ambulance Cooperative. He also worked with Alaskan Malamut sled dogs and organized winter camping trips mostly for Europeans. Bob Poirier taught Math and Science in the local high school for nineteen years. Fluent in English and French, he is also learning Algonquin and has embraced the spiritual practices of the Anishinabeg people since 2000. He runs a small Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre on his land, treating and caring for all species of wild animals and birds of prey.

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