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In this evocative and important story, Dr. Bob Chrismas reminds us that the violent, misogynist world of human trafficking is not a distant problem. It is happening everywhere, all around us. The author knows this world—he has spent his career fighting it. Dreamcatcher is a story about the everyday heroes who are battling human trafficking. The story highlights the agency of those working for positive change, both inside and outside the industry.
Amber Fletcher, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Sociology & Social Studies, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, (she/her)
The call home
Dream Catcher
Join Detective Jack Bondar and Dani Taylor on their continued journey to find her little sister Ali, abducted at 14 and missing for the past 14 years. This sequel to The River of Tears delves into the psyche of sex traffickers and their victims. It explores their internal and external conflicts, and the trauma that trafficked people and their families endure. It also explores the post-traumatic stress that many police officers experience in their work. It is a story about our roots, and the way we all long at some point to come home.
When Fact Meets Fiction as Equals in Fictive Writing
Inaugural Launch of the 2023-24 Season
Three generations of family, fellow police officers including the former Chief of Police Devon Clunis, and several interested members of The Manitoba Writers’ Guild, streamed into the Artspace Board Room on Sunday afternoon, October 28, to launch Bob Chrismas’s new novel, Dream Catcher.
Chrismas
See what the Winnipeg CityNews has to say about the first book The River of Tears:
Winnipeg CityNews
Manitoba Police officer’s book puts spotlight on sex trafficking
A Manitoba police officer wrote a fictional book to highlight the harsh realities of sex trafficking in Canada. As Mark Neufeld reports, the officer drew from his own experiences working with victims of sex trafficking, to help write the story.
In this episode of Freedom Fighters, Bob Chrismas discusses his research on the sex industry in Canada, as well as shares about his book The River of Tears, (DIO Press Inc., 2021).
This sequel to The River of Tears continues the story of Dani Taylor and Detective Jack Bondar and their search for Dani’s trafficked sister Ali. The novel explores the trauma of the families of missing loved ones and the broad range of people working to counter trafficking and sexual exploitation of Indigenous women in North America. Young Indigenous women that are missing, trafficked, and murdered in Canada and the U.S. illustrate the prevalence of sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and violence directed against Indigenous women. Dani and Jack’s pain, caring, and compassion is evident throughout their search for Ali in the hope they will find her. The story illustrates the human dignity of family members, survivors, and those working to stop the violence. The novel points out that families and those working to counter trafficking suffer from trauma and like the survivors need to heal.
Dr. Sean Byrne, Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba
As an effective storyteller, Dr. Chrismas sheds light on the tension between the vulnerable and police in Canada while tackling the complicated, harsh and shameful reality of human sex trafficking in Canada. Dr. Chrismas gives us a glimpse into a world where human rights abuses occur daily and locally. Prevention can only occur if we know what this world looks like.
Cathy Peters. Anti-human trafficking prevention educator. beamazingcampaign.org
Dr. Robert Chrismas continues to take real life experiences and adapt them into accurate and thoughtful fictional portrayals of human sex trafficking in Canada. This novel provides a portrayal into the hidden and unknown sex trafficking that has taken place in our shipping and ports entering and exiting Canada. Chrismas should be applauded for bringing attention to this uncomfortable reality.
Susan McIntyre, Ph.D. President The Hindsight Group
Over 30 year’s experience as an internationally recognized expert, research and policy advisor in sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation.
Through his thoughtful and compelling storytelling, Dr. Chrismas ushers readers through a story that speaks truthfully to the unjust exploitation of Indigenous women and girls across Canada – an issue that demands attention and action by all Canadians. Equally important, Chrismas sheds light on the issue of first-responder mental health. Those who sacrifice their own well-being to protect others should never have to suffer in silence. While these topics can stir up difficult and uncomfortable emotions, Chrismas’ novel makes space for them to be carefully explored and pondered.
Amber Schick, Regional Liaison Officer at Indigenous Services Canada.
Robert (Bob) Chrismas, fellow Staff Sergeant, post-doctoral researcher, and my friend, portrays the real and heart wrenching story of a missing Indigenous woman in Canada. Bob uses his experience as a police officer and his research into the world of human trafficking to provide an authentic account of the underlying factors that contribute to Indigenous women victimization. Bob’s novel brings awareness to the complex issues and strained relationships between Indigenous people and the police. At the same time, he explains the collateral damage of these investigations through a trauma informed lens.
Beth Milliard, Ph.D. Staff Sergeant, York Regional Police, Ontario, Canada, expert on police trauma and peer support.
Dr. Bob Chrismas’ sequel to The River of Tears, Dream Catcher: The Call Home, is both profound and impactful. In a world where most are oblivious to the struggles taking place in our communities, this book dares us to open our eyes to the challenges faced by those experiencing sex trafficking, the pain and desperation of families of missing and murdered women, and those working in law enforcement. The book brings a different perspective and deeper understanding to the relationship between the Indigenous Peoples of our communities and police officers. Both share a common bond through trauma and prejudices that need healing and require support from the community as a whole. While conversations of the depth of human atrocities and slavery that happen daily are being brought to the surface, they still demand more visibility and action which this book does really well.
Tsungai Muvingi, B.A. Psychology, Associate Provincial Coordinator for Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters, Owner & Founder, CourageousMynds, Freelance Writer
