artwork by Niki Watts
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In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2:
a collection of Indigenous authors
and artists in Canada
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"Through our own Indigenous stories, we discover our roots."
-Terri Mack, Strong Nations
-Terri Mack, Strong Nations
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In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2 is a collection of short fiction, non-fiction, and poetry by Indigenous writers from across Canada, plus original Indigenous artwork. This anthology contains the work of established authors such as the late Connie Fife, and up-and-coming Aboriginal authors to watch out for (according to CBC Books) Joanne Arnott, Michelle Sylliboy, and Dennis Saddleman, as well as emerging writers from across Canada, who shine a light on the lives of Indigenous Peoples living in Canada.
The Indigenous selection committee included author Richard Van Camp. Foreword by former Chief, Edmund Metatawabin-appointed to the Order of Canada, author of Up Ghost River: A Chief ’s Journey Through the Turbulent Waters of Native History. |
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Click on image to hear a preview of the interview with Metis author Mike Calvert.
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Check out this powerful interview with some contributors from In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2 - A collection of Indigenous authors and artists in Canada. Listen to their reflections on Indigenous voices and issues on All Lit Up.
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Click here for interview.
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Artwork by Phil Joe
REVIEWS: IN OUR OWN ABORIGINAL VOICE 2
“I pray that the artwork, the sharing of these stories brings healing to both the artists and those who engage with this collection. It contains a tsunami of pain but does not leave you there. There is medicine in these stories, stories that could only be told by those who lived to tell. Some still seek restitution, long for healing, and to bring home the bones of their ancestors. All are courageous in the telling.” ~ Jónina Kirton, Métis/Icelandic poet, author of An Honest Woman.
“These voices are precious and beautiful. Mahsi cho to each of them singing the world to a brighter place. Mahsi cho to them. Mahsi cho to their families. Mahsi cho to their ancestors and mahsi cho to a richer world because of their courage and bravery. I am grateful and humbled and inspired.” - Richard Van Camp, Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation, author of Moccasin Square Gardens.
“This ongoing commitment to further the remarkable growth of Indigenous literature can only be applauded.” ~ Alan Twigg, author of Aboriginality: The Literary Origins of British Columbia, Vol. 2.
“Words, woven threads of tumultuous, sometimes distant, memories that tie us together. Mixed with sinuous, golden threads of distant, sometimes extant threads of sunlight that hold dreams, hope, love, safe homes, and where we embrace our Creator. Our strength in gentle words, sometimes warrior words, ties us together in this complex collection of words that reflect us all.” ~ Terri Mack, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation, author of the Raven Series and owner of Strong Nations Books.
“The poets and short-story writers who contributed here for our enjoyment leave us with the message that you are known; someone knows you exist; I no longer must fear that I am alone.” - Edmund Metatawabin, Former chief of Fort Albany First Nation, author of Up Ghost River: a Chief’s journey through the turbulent waters of Native history.
“I pray that the artwork, the sharing of these stories brings healing to both the artists and those who engage with this collection. It contains a tsunami of pain but does not leave you there. There is medicine in these stories, stories that could only be told by those who lived to tell. Some still seek restitution, long for healing, and to bring home the bones of their ancestors. All are courageous in the telling.” ~ Jónina Kirton, Métis/Icelandic poet, author of An Honest Woman.
“These voices are precious and beautiful. Mahsi cho to each of them singing the world to a brighter place. Mahsi cho to them. Mahsi cho to their families. Mahsi cho to their ancestors and mahsi cho to a richer world because of their courage and bravery. I am grateful and humbled and inspired.” - Richard Van Camp, Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation, author of Moccasin Square Gardens.
“This ongoing commitment to further the remarkable growth of Indigenous literature can only be applauded.” ~ Alan Twigg, author of Aboriginality: The Literary Origins of British Columbia, Vol. 2.
“Words, woven threads of tumultuous, sometimes distant, memories that tie us together. Mixed with sinuous, golden threads of distant, sometimes extant threads of sunlight that hold dreams, hope, love, safe homes, and where we embrace our Creator. Our strength in gentle words, sometimes warrior words, ties us together in this complex collection of words that reflect us all.” ~ Terri Mack, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlala Nation, author of the Raven Series and owner of Strong Nations Books.
“The poets and short-story writers who contributed here for our enjoyment leave us with the message that you are known; someone knows you exist; I no longer must fear that I am alone.” - Edmund Metatawabin, Former chief of Fort Albany First Nation, author of Up Ghost River: a Chief’s journey through the turbulent waters of Native history.
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EDITOR: Michael Calvert is a member of the Mid-Island Metis Nation. His publishing credits include the anthology, In Our Own Aboriginal Voice (Volumes 1 & 2), and Portal literary magazine. Michael won the Pat Bevan Award for fiction writing in 2012 and a Meadowlarks Award for a promising body of fiction work. In 2019, he was also the editor of the poetry book Kiskajeyi- I AM READY. Michael, a graduate of VIU’s Creative Writing and Journalism program and SFU Masters of Publishing, lives in Nanaimo, BC and currently teaches at Vancouver Island University. He has taught in the Creative Writing & Journalism department and currently teaches First Peoples Literature and Composition at VIU.
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The authors and artists in this anthology represent the following nations in Canada:
Albany First Nation Alexander First Nation Carrier Sikanni Clan Coast Salish Territories of the Musqueam Coast Salish, Squamish, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Cree and Wet'suwet'en Cree/Metis Cowichan Tribes George Gordon First Nation Haisla Nation Heiltsuk Nation Hesquiaht and Songhees Hollow Water First Nation Inuit/Croatian Lac La Ronge Indian Band Lheidli T'enneh Nation Metis Metis Community of Maniwaki Metis, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Mid Island Metis Nation Mi'kmaq (L’nuk) First Nation Nlaka’pamux Nation, Coldwater Band, Penelakut Tribe; Hul’q’umi’num territories Skeetchestn Indian Band Snuneymuxw First Nation Swampy Cree descent from- Opaskwayak Cree Nation Tahltan and Gitx̱san descent Tsleil-Waututh First Nations Tsimahian/Gitksan and Ts'msyen, member of the Kitsumkalum Band Ucluelet First Nation (Nuu Chah Nulth) Upper Mohawk-Six Nations of the Grand Territory Woodlands Cree - Lac LaRonge Indian Band |
Drum by Jerry Smaasslet
Art work by Leanne Raven Paul
Art work by Leanne Raven Paul
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Listen to Eliot White-Hill Kwulasultun sing and read his story from the anthology In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2
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Partial proceeds from sales of In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2
donated to Tsawalk Learning Centre, Nanaimo, BC. Special thanks to Vancouver Island Regional Library for their support in this project. |
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