The Marrow Thieves

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline is a science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic Canada where climate devastation ravages the world and the Canadian government’s Recruiters hunt Natives for the dreams that are woven into their bone marrow. 

Millions have died in the wake of global warming, and those who remain have experienced such extensive trauma that they have lost the ability to dream. Dimaline describes a world plagued by natural disasters, with vivid descriptions of persistent rains, poisoned water, a shortage of food, and supersized wildlife. Coastlines have slowly disintegrated, allowing cities to fall into the ocean, and earthquakes, hurricanes, and tsunamis have wiped out communities.

The Recruiters forcibly detain the Indigenous peoples in facilities modeled after residential schools for the purpose of marrow harvesting; the goal is to restore the ability to dream to non-Indigenous people. Despite the best efforts of Indigenous leaders to negotiate with the Canadian government, they have been unable to reach an agreement to end the hunt of the Indigenous peoples.

At the beginning of the novel, 16-year-old Francis—nicknamed Frenchie for his Métis heritage—is on the run from the Recruiters with his brother, Mitch. The Recruiters locate them, and Mitch sacrifices himself so that Frenchie can escape.