Two Months in the Camp of Big Bear

"Two Months in the Camp of Big Bear" by Theresa Gowanlock is a captivating historical narrative penned in the late 1800s, detailing the agonizing experiences of the author during her time as a captive in Big Bear's camp amidst the volatile Northwest Rebellion. The story revolves around Gowanlock and her challenging ordeal, revealing intimate personal struggles and societal observations. The account starts with an introduction by Gowanlock, who clearly states her intention to deliver a genuine retelling of her memories following a devastating incident that resulted in the death of her husband and other settlers. As she reflects on her captivity, Gowanlock recalls her journey with her husband from Ontario to Frog Lake, where they were met with starvation and danger from Indigenous peoples. By sharing personal stories of her meetings and interactions with the locals, she effectively provides a realistic picture of the hardships that were encountered during their journey. The novel prepares the reader with feelings of grief and devastation as they encounter the rising tensions that would lead to the tragic massacre; It provides an emotional and difficult telling of the events that followed.