Description
The James Bay Cree hired outside writers because "our own writers have enough to carry." Each story was difficult to retell to the writer. Most residential school stories are still passed on in traditional ways - there are many healing projects going on, this is just one project to deliver the stories to a wider audience people whose stories are in the book are people who want their stories in a book (not a traditional Cree art form), want their stories shared outside eeyou istchee, want to tell their stories anonymously because they hold a position of prominence in the community and feel they can't speak freely otherwise, they want to control how children and grandchildren discover their stories, sometimes protecting perpetrators (whom they might love) just for other privacy reasons methodology: hearing the story, sometimes multiple times, going away to write it up, then returning for approval, as many times as that took. Resources were offered for healing throughout the process, themes heard throughout: healing does not mean justice has been done; sometimes this is the first time these stories have been told; storytellers worried about telling the stories of others; the intent of these stories is to help others although the book contains difficult content the stories are often uplifting - no need to be afraid of what is on the page. Each story, each person, each healing process, is different.
first book will be followed by 2 or 3 more in the coming years.
About the Author
Ruth DyckFehderau is an instructor in Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Alberta and a freelance writer; she also enjoys travel. She has published in literature journals and anthologies around the world, and has received awards for her writing, teaching, and activism. She won several book awards for The Sweet Bloods of Eeyou Istchee.
Reviews
"These previously unwritten stories of lived, traumatized experiences are testament to the storytellers' courage and strength and resilience. When the rich Cree traditional and spiritual relationship with land and with family is harmed by separation, hatred, and fear - a harm resulting in anger and loss of values, identity, and self-worth - these storytellers find ways to heal. Through their stories, you learn about culture as treatment, about the power of forgiveness and love, and about peaceful co-existence in community as essential to healing, belief, and advancing true reconciliation." -Chief Willie Littlechild, Ermineskin Cree Nation, Former Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Former residential school student athlete, Order of Canada; Order of Sport, Member of Sports Halls of Fame, Canada and North America
"These Cree stories, told with utmost respect and a feeling of safety, are gifts. They are medicine." -Joanna Campiou, Woodland/Plains Cree Knowledge Keeper
"This is a difficult but necessary book. There's a power to truth and to the realities of the Indian Residential School system, but for those wanting to see strength and movement toward hope, this is the book for you. These stories hold that hope close to the heart. What shines through is a love of the land, a love of community, a love of the Cree language, a love of family - exactly what colonial forces like the IRS system tried to destroy but couldn't." -Conor Kerr, Metis/Ukrainian author, Avenue of Champions, Giller Prize longlist
Awards
Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Multicultural Nonfiction) 2024.
Book Information
ISBN 9781989796238
Author Ruth DyckFehderau
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
Publisher Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
Weight(grams) 363g
