Five Little Indians is a historical fiction novel by Cree writer Michelle Good. HarperCollins published it in April 2020. The novel received several accolades including the Governor General’s Literary Award. Good developed the novel while pursuing her MFA in Creative with the first draft as her thesis project. Before her writing career, she spent over two decades working with Indigenous organizations and residential school survivors.
The novel tells the story of five Indigenous survivors of Canada’s residential school system as they reside in Vancouver following their release. The novel delves into their struggles to find a place in a world that has been largely unkind to them. The characters, Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie, and Maisie, form a makeshift family that leans on each other as they rebuild their lives. Through their interconnected stories, Good illustrates the lasting impact of the residential school system on Indigenous peoples.
The reception of the novel has been overwhelmingly positive. It was longlisted for the Giller Prize and shortlisted for the Writer’s Trust Award. Additionally, it was selected for Canada Reads 2022, which further cemented its status as a significant work in Canadian literature. It is also set to be adapted into a limited television series.
