Highly Recommended: BETWEEN THE PIPES

 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Between the Pipes
Written by Albert McLeod (ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree, and Cross Lake
 and Norway House Metis) with Elaine Mordoch (not Native) 
and Sonya Ballantyne (Swampy Cree)
Illustrated by Alice RL (Ojibwe) and Kielamel Sibal (not Native)
Published in 2024
Publisher: Highwater Press
Reviewed by Jean Mendoza

Not long ago, one of my favorite people on earth posted their reaction to a scene in a popular streaming series that lovingly affirmed LGBTQ+ experience in a way that felt specific to their life. They remembered how deeply they had needed such affirmation and acceptance during their childhood and youth. We know that representation matters, that young LGBTQ+ people need to see themselves reflected in  media. But to see someone you love speak from the heart about it, with such vulnerability, resonates at another level.  

I had recently read the 2024 graphic novel Between the Pipes, from Highwater Press. We put it on AICL's list of best books we read in 2024. It's a great example of LGBTQ+-affirming media for young people that can support those who, like my dear one, are often discouraged in their search for accurate, positive representation.

Here's what publisher Highwater Press says about Between the Pipes:

Thirteen-year-old Chase’s life and identity should be simple. He’s the goalie for his hockey team, the Eagles. He’s a friend to Kevin and Jade. He's Kookum's youngest grandchild. He’s a boy. He should like girls. But it’s not that simple. Chase doesn’t like girls the way that the other boys do. It’s scary being so different from his peers. Scarier still is the feeling that his teammates can tell who he is—and that they hate him for it. If he pretends hard enough, maybe he can hide the truth.

Real strength and change can’t come from a place of shame. Chase’s dreams are troubled by visions of a bear spirit, and the more he tries to hide, the more everything falls apart. With the help of an Elder and a Two-Spirit mentor, can Chase find the strength to be proud of who he is? Between the Pipes explores toxic masculinity in hockey through the experiences of an Indigenous teen.

Note: I typically use "LGBTQ+", but the authors use 2SLGBTQI+. The 2S stands for 2-Spirit. I've been using the GLAAD Media Guide's glossary of terms to keep up with appropriate terms. Here's what they say about "2-Spirit":

Two-Spirit: An adjective used by some Indigenous and First Nations people as an umbrella term to describe people who are not straight and/or cisgender. Many Indigenous communities have specific words in their language to describe these experiences, but some do not. This term should not be used to describe people who are not Indigenous. Only use it for an Indigenous person if they use it to describe themselves.

You may already know that an academic term for such multiple-factor identity is "intersectionality." The term 2-Spirit reflects intersectionality. Some of the creators of Between the Pipes are Indigenous and identify as 2-Spirit. The author's bio, from the publisher, says

Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Métis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over thirty years of experience as a human rights activist and was one of the founders of 2-Spirited People of Manitoba. Albert is a member of the team who designed "Thunderhead," the winning concept for the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument in Ottawa.

Collaborator Sonya Ballantyne is Swampy Cree, and illustrator Alice RL identifies as a "non-binary Ojibwe artist." So, we see First Nations affiliations and first-hand experience with issues facing 2SLGBTQI+ people.  This all tells readers to expect a story with dual "insider" perspectives --Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+. 

Co-author Elaine Mordoch explains in her author's note that Between the Pipes is the result of "an action research project to produce a graphic novel based on the lived experience of Two-Spirit people."

Back to the story! As the publisher's summary says, it explores hockey's culture of toxic masculinity (with its homophobic elements). Chase gets hassled about various aspects of his manliness, mainly by teammate Leo. As is too often the case for 2SLGBTQ+ kids, he internalizes all the negative messages, and tries to deny his feelings. He feels ashamed, afraid, and isolated. His attempt to find support from a clueless guidance counselor at school is especially groan-inducing. 

He begins to reject his two highly supportive friends and even yells at his Kookum (grandmother) whom he lives with. She then arranges for Chase to meet a 2-Spirit Cree filmmaker he admires, and an Elder who is gay. He gradually responds to their good-humored, loving support, getting to know the First Nations community in between practicing hard to improve his game. 

The artists' work is especially strong in several multi-panel pages in the storytelling. For just one example, take a close look at the hockey game sequence starting on p. 44.  Some nice subtle details reveal Chase's growing comfort with who he is. First, we see him wrapping his hockey stick with rainbow tape. Then a panel shows the rainbow flag patch sewn on the sleeve of his uniform. His winning role in the game (a shut-out!) is shown in a rapid-fire sequence. Finally, we see him respond constructively to a taunt from Leo -- after which Leo quietly taps Chase's stick in acknowledgement, and Chase taps back. They might not be friends, but Leo has signaled that maybe he won't be such a jerk, going forward. 

Be sure to read "A Word from the Authors" at the back, for the information, resources, and encouragement for those who want to support 2SLGBTQI+ young people. One of the best ways adults can show their respect, care, and love for kids like Chase is to make sure they have access to books like Between the Pipes. That's going to be challenging in the coming years, as homophobes in leadership positions try to ban all books with LGBTQ+ content from classrooms and libraries. So I urge teachers, librarians, and family members to do everything possible to make sure books like this one -- with the all-important message that they belong and deserve to be loved and understood -- stay available.