Book Description

The second edition of this wide-ranging survey of writing in English by Canadian Native people brings together in one volume some of the best work from a literature that has formed a solid part of Canadian literature. Beginning with traditional songs of the Inuit and traditional orature of the Southern First Nations, the anthology goes on to include prose passages from such early figures as Joseph Brant and John Brant-Sero, works by such well-known writers as George Copway and Pauline Johnson, and a broad selection of short stories, plays, poems, and essays by twentieth century Canadian Native writers. While all writers from the first edition have been retained, several writers are represented by new works. These include Maria Campbell, Beth Brant, Annharte, Jeanette Armstrong, Lenore Keeshig-Tobias, Daniel David Moses, and Jordan Wheeler. Recently established Native writers new to this anthology include Beth Cuthand, Duncan Mercredi, Sky Dancer louise bernice halfe, Richard Wagameese, Marilyn Dumont, Connie Fife, Paul Seesequasis, Kateri Damm, Joseph Dandurand, Richard Van Camp, Lorne Joseph Simon, Gregory Scofield, Eden Robinson, and Kevin Paul. This volume will be of interest to anyone concerned with the wealth and complexity of Native writing in Canada. Among issues coverered in this anthology are aboriginal rights, family relations, and the environment. The anthology includes work from both women and men of many tribal affiliations and from various geographic regions of Canada. It also presents a diversity of opinions and voices from among the writers themselves.