Description
Taking Back Our Spirits: Indigenous Literature, Public Policy, and Healing by Jo-Ann Episkenew, Associate Professor of English at the First Nations University of Canada, offers readers both the insider's and scholar's perspective about the connection of public policy to the healing power of Indigenous literature. Metis professor Jo-Ann Episkenew offers a highly readable analysis of the role of colonial governments in Canada and the policies that overtook the lives of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. From the Indian Act, residential schools, the child welfare system, and the role of churches the author draws out the various ways government and institutions controlled Indigenous Peoples. As a Metis women working in an academic institution she clearly understood that historical and political contexts are factors that influence the everyday lives of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities and people. The author firmly believes in the healing power of Aboriginal literature including autobiography, fiction, and drama. The remaining chapters discuss her theory about this healing aspect of literature in such works as Maria Campbell's Halfbreed, Basil Johnston's Indian School Days, Beatrice Culleton Mosionier's In Search of April Raintree, Shirley Stirling's My Name is Seepeetza, Richard Wagamese's Keeper'n Me, Vera Manual's Strength of Indian Women, Daniel David Moses' Almighty Voice and His Wife, and Ian Ross's fareWel.