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Member Club Event

Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline - Book Club

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Event Date
February 20, 2026
Destination
TBD
Duration
2 hrs
Highlights
Read. Gather. Discuss
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Event Date
Friday, February 20, 2026
Destination
TBD
Duration
2 hrs
Highlights
Read. Gather. Discuss
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Description

Did her husband really disappear?

Alanna will guide us through our February book club where we tackle the theme of a "Bad Romance". "Empire of Wild" tells the story of an agentic Indigenous woman in love.

Cherie Dimaline is an internationally best-selling author from the Georgian Bay Métis Community.

About the plot:

Broken-hearted Joan has been searching for her husband, Victor, for almost a year—ever since he went missing on the night they had their first serious argument.

One terrible, hungover morning in a Walmart parking lot in a little town near Georgian Bay, she is drawn to a revival tent where the local Métis have been flocking to hear a charismatic preacher named Eugene Wolff. By the time she staggers into the tent, the service is over. But as she is about to leave, she hears an unmistakable voice.

She turns, and there Victor is. The same face, the same eyes, the same hands. But his hair is short and he's wearing a suit and he doesn't recognize her at all. No, he insists, she's the one suffering a delusion: he's the Reverend Wolff and his only mission is to bring his people to Jesus. Except that, as Joan soon discovers, that's not all the enigmatic Wolff is doing.

With only the help of Ajean, a foul-mouthed euchre shark with a knowledge of the old ways, and her odd, Johnny-Cash-loving, 12-year-old nephew Zeus, Joan has to find a way to remind the Reverend Wolff of who he really is. If he really is Victor. Her life, and the life of everyone she loves, depends upon it.

Did her husband really disappear?

Alanna will guide us through our February book club where we tackle the theme of a "Bad Romance". "Empire of Wild" tells the story of an agentic Indigenous woman in love.

Cherie Dimaline is an internationally best-selling author from the Georgian Bay Métis Community.

About the plot:

Broken-hearted Joan has been searching for her husband, Victor, for almost a year—ever since he went missing on the night they had their first serious argument.

One terrible, hungover morning in a Walmart parking lot in a little town near Georgian Bay, she is drawn to a revival tent where the local Métis have been flocking to hear a charismatic preacher named Eugene Wolff. By the time she staggers into the tent, the service is over. But as she is about to leave, she hears an unmistakable voice.

She turns, and there Victor is. The same face, the same eyes, the same hands. But his hair is short and he's wearing a suit and he doesn't recognize her at all. No, he insists, she's the one suffering a delusion: he's the Reverend Wolff and his only mission is to bring his people to Jesus. Except that, as Joan soon discovers, that's not all the enigmatic Wolff is doing.

With only the help of Ajean, a foul-mouthed euchre shark with a knowledge of the old ways, and her odd, Johnny-Cash-loving, 12-year-old nephew Zeus, Joan has to find a way to remind the Reverend Wolff of who he really is. If he really is Victor. Her life, and the life of everyone she loves, depends upon it.

Highlights

19 h 00: arrive, discuss, eat

Member Organized Event Disclaimer
Member-led outings are organized by our community, not by Wilderness Union. We don’t manage the plans, staff, or safety protocols, so you join at your own risk. Please look out for yourself and one another, and have fun!

Food and Drink
You'll need to bring a packed lunch and water for any of our day trips that don't explicitly say we're making a stop at a restaurant. Where we stop at restaurants, you are responsible for the purchase of any food. Full details are available at the adventure plan, shared above on registration.

Carbon Offsetting
Wilderness Union offsets the estimated carbon emissions of every trip by investing in a global portfolio of verified carbon reduction projects.

Members Only
Please note that you'll need an active membership at the time of your adventure to attend. If you booked during a trial that didn't continue or your membership has lapsed, you will need a new membership to attend.

Please read and understand this before registering

Cancellations made:
More than 10 days before the event
: Will receive a full refund minus a 5% admin fee.
7–10 days before the event: 50% refund.
Less than 7 days before the event: No refunds.
Weather or emergency cancellations: If an event is canceled due to severe weather or other uncontrollable factors, members can receive a full credit to their account.

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What to Expect on a WU Trip

Is a Wilderness Union Trip Right for You?
We offer a unique alternative to commercial tours. We don't just show you incredible natural wonders, we teach you to become confident in nature so you can discover the life changing magic of the outdoors. You'll love it here if:
- You want to make real friends, not just small talk with strangers
- You prefer "off the beaten path" over "all-inclusive resort"
- You're happy to pitch in and learn new skills (e.g., helping with camp setup or group tasks)
- You value the journey and the company as much as the destination

Who Else Will Be There
WU is aimed at a younger generation of outdoor lovers who don't see themselves represented in traditional hiking clubs and our members are typically 20-40 years old. Whether you're brand new to the outdoors or have plenty of experience, you'll find something for you.

Our Guides
All of our guides are highly qualified, passionate outdoor lovers, just like you. They love to share their knowledge and will help you see our destinations in another light, often teaching you something along the trail.

Q&A

Got questions? Checkout our FAQ for answers to pretty much anything you can think of.
**Q: Do I need to finish the book? ** A: Nah, it's fine! **Q: Do I need to RSVP?** A: For this venue RSVPs are necessary, as there is limited seating **Q: What if I can't make it but I still want to read the book? ** A: We will post the questions afterwards in the Discord chat. Folks can organize their own side quest.

Coming Soon

Full details for this adventure are coming soon. Be sure to check back!

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