This anthology of Aboriginal writings from Manitoba takes readers back through the millennia and forward to the present day, painting a dynamic picture of a territory interconnected through words, ideas, and experiences. A rich collection of stories, poetry, nonfiction, and speeches, it features:

-Historical writings, from important figures.
-Vibrant literary writing by eminent Aboriginal writers.
-Nonfiction and political writing from contemporary Aboriginal leaders.
-Local storytellers and keepers of knowledge from far-reaching Manitoba communities.
-New, vibrant voices that express the modern Aboriginal experiences.
-Anishinaabe, Cree, Dene, Inuit, Métis, and Sioux writers from Manitoba.

Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writing from across Canada. Manitowapow, a one-of-a-kind anthology, is the first book in The Debwe Series. Manitowapow is the traditional name that became Manitoba, a word that describes the sounds of beauty and power that created the province.

approx. 420 pages

Out February 2012

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is an incredible book. I always say that in order for us, humans, to find out who we are, who our ancestors were, we need to learn to appreciate, listen to and respect the indigenous people of this world.  It is in their ancestors and the stories they passed down generation after generation, that hold clues to this long-suffered mystery.

This anthology of Aboriginal writings from Manatoba takes readers on a journey through past to present day, telling of life and journeys, understandings and ways of life using stories, poetry, nonfiction and speeches.

You’ll discover: Historical writings, Literary writings, Nonfiction and political writings, stories by local storytellers and discover new and vibrant voices that share modern Aboriginal experiences. Share in visions of hope and understandings.

The contents contain:

1. Forward
2. Preface
3. Introduction
4. Traditional System of Writing in Manitowapow
5. Peguis: Anishinaabe 1774-1864 –  includes two sub-sections
6. Pierre Falcon: Metis 1793-1876 – includes two sub-sections
7. Cuthbert James Grant and the Sioux Chiefs: Metis 1793-1854/unknown – includes three sub-sections
8. Peter Jacobs (Pahtahsega): Anishinaabe/Mississauga 1807-1890 – includes one sub-section
9. Henry Budd (Sakachuwescam): Cree 1812 – 1875 – includes one sub-section
10. Louis Riel: Metis 1844-1885 – includes six sub-sections
11. Gabriel Dumont: Metis 1837-1906 – includes three sub-sections
12. Harriette Goldsmith Sinclair Cowan:Metis/Cree 1832-1926 – includes four sub-sections
13. Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa): Santee Sioux 1858-1939 – includes one sub-section
14. Kuskapatchees: Swampy Cree 18?? -19?? – includes five sub-sections
15. William Berens (Tabasigizikweas): Anishinaabe 1866-1947 – includes three sub-sections
16. Maurice Sanderson: Cree 1877-?? -includes three sub-sections
17. Alex Grisdale: Anishinaabe 1896-?? – includes three sub-sections
18. The Dene Elders Project- Dene
19. Marisis Aze: includes three sub-sections
20. Bart Dzeylion: includes one sub-section
21. Helen Joseyounen: includes two sub-sections
22. Gabriel Tsannie: includes one sub-section
23. James Redsky (Esquekesik): Anishinaabe 1899-?? – includes one sub-section
24. Albert Edward Thompson: Cree/Saulteaux 1900-1973 – includes one sub-section
25. Thomas Boulanger: Cree 1901-?? – includes one sub-section
26. Norway House Elders: Cree
27. Irene Muswagon: includes three sub-sections
28. Tommy York: includes four sub-sections
29. Ruby Beardy: includes one sub-section
30. Betsy Muminawatum: includes four sub-sections
31. David Courchene Sr.: Anishinaabe 1926-1992 – includes two sub-sections
32. Alice Masak French: Ninatakmuit Inuit 1930-?? – includes one sub-section
33. Louis Bird (Pennishish): Omushkego Cree 1934-?? – includes three sub-sections
34. Elders of Moose Lake: Cree – includes four sub-sections
35. Tobasonakwut Kinew: Anishinaabe 1936-?? – includes one sub-section
36. Elders of Grand Rapids: Cree – includes three sub-sections
37. Bernelda Wheeler: Cree/Assiniboine/Saulteaux 1937-2005 – includes two sub-sections
38. The Prairie Call: includes six sub-sections
39. Citizens of Camperville: Meti – includes one sub-section
40. George Morrissette: Metis 1938-?? – includes two sub-sections
41. Doris Young: Cree 1940 -?? – includes one sub-section
42. Theodore Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1941-?? – includes one sub-section
43. Marie Annharte (nee Baker): Anishinaabe 1942-?? – includes five sub-sections
44. Jackson Beardy: Anishinaabe/Cree 1944-1984 – includes three sub-sections
45. Phil Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1944-?? – includes one sub-chapter
46. Joe Mclellan and Matrine Therriault: Metis 1945 and Anishinaabe/Cree 1946 – includes one sub-section
47. Ovide Mercredi: Cree 1946-?? – includes one sub-section
48. Elijah Harper: Cree 1949-?? – includes one sub-section
49. Charles Nelson (Mizhakwanigiizhik): Anishinaabe 1949-?? – includes one sub-section
50. Emma Larocque: Plains Cree Metis 1949-?? – includes three sub-sections
51.  Beatrice Mosionier: Metis 1949-?? – includes two sub-sections
52. Patricia Ningewance: Anishinaabe 1951-?? – includes two sub-sections
53. Murray Sinclair: Anishinaabe 1951-?? – includes one sub-section
54. Inmates at Stony Mountain Institution: Anonymous – includes three sub-sections
55. Tomson Highway: Cree 1951-?? – includes three sub-sections
56. Duncan Mercredi: Cree/Metis 1951-?? – includes five sub-sections
57. Lorraine Mayer: Metis 1953-?? – includes two sub-sections
58. Marvin Francis: Cree 1955-2005 – includes five sub-sections
59. Ila Bussidor: Dene 1955-?? – includes one sub-section
60. Douglas Nepinak: Saulteaux 1960-2005 – includes three sub-sections
61. Darrell Racine: Metis 1960-?? – includes one sub-section
62. Joanne Arnott: Metis 1960-?? – includes one sub-section
63. Brenda Isabel Wastasecoot: Cree 1963-?? – includes one sub-section
64. Jordan Wheeler: Cree/Anishinaabe/Assiniboine 1964-?? -includes one sub-section
65. Cheryl Smoke: Dakota Sioux 1964-?? – includes one sub-section
66. Trevor Greyeyes: Anishinaabe 1964-?? – includes one sub-section
67. David Mcleod: Anishinaabe/Metis 1964-?? – includes three sub-sections
68. Paul Depasquale: Haudenosaunee 1965-?? – includes two sub-sections
69. Shayla Elizabeth: Cree 1965-?? – includes one sub-section
70. Gregory Scofield: Cree/Metis 1966-?? – includes three sub-sections
71. Warren Cariou: Metis 1966-?? – includes one sub-section
72. Gilbert James Fredette: Cree/Innu 1966-?? – includes two sub-sections
73. Randy Lundy: Cree 1967-?? – includes four sub-sections
74. Ian Ross: Anishinaabe 1968-?? – includes three sub-sections
75. Nichola Tookoome Batzel: Inuk 1970-?? – includes one sub-section
76. Columpa C. Bobb: Coast Salish 1971-?? – includes one sub-section
77. Nahanni Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1971-?? – includes one sub-section
78. Rosanna Deerchild: Cree 1972-?? – includes four sub-sections
79. Colleen Simard: Anishinaabe/Cree 1972-?? – includes two sub-sections
80. Maeengan Linklater: Anishinaabe 1974-?? – includes one sub-section
81. Althea Guiboche: Cree/Saulteaux 1974-?? – includes two sub-sections
82. Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair: Anishinaabe 1976-?? – includes one sub-section
83. Donna Beyer: Cree/Anishinaabe 1976-?? – includes two sub-sections
84. Clayton Thomas-Muller: Cree 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
85. Ryan McMahon: Anishinaabe/Metis 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
86. Katherena Vermette: Metis 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
87. David Alexander Robertson: Swampy Cree 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
88. Wabanakwut (Wab) Kinew: Anishinaabe 1981-?? – includes one sub-section
89. Julie Lafreniere: Metis 1982-?? – includes one sub-section
90. Jennifer Storm: Anishinaabe 1986-?? – includes one sub-section
91. Susanne Morrissette: Metis 1987-?? – includes one sub-section
92. Rebecca Kantimere: Anishinaabe 1989-?? – includes one sub-section
93. Alyssa Bird: Cree/Anishinaabe 1993-?? includes one sub-section

Permissions/Sources

Thematic Index

Each section introduces the author and then in the sections following that, there’s a sample or samples of their work in the sub-sections. This is a historical gold mine for those who write about Aboriginal history, legends and folklore. It will be staying on my resource shelf for future use.

I gave this book: