Neal McLeod - Indigenous Poetics in Canada

Indigenous Poetics in Canada

Indigenous Studies Series

The Indigenous Studies Series builds on the successes of the past and is inspired by recent critical conversations about Indigenous epistemological frameworks. Recognizing the need to encourage burgeoning scholarship, the series welcomes manuscripts drawing upon Indigenous intellectual traditions and philosophies, particularly in discussions situated within the Humanities.

Series Editor

Dr. Deanna Reder (Mtis), Assistant Professor, First Nations Studies and English, Simon Fraser University

Advisory Board

Dr. Jo-ann Archibald (Sto:lo), Associate Dean, Indigenous Education, University of British Columbia

Dr. Kristina Bidwell (Labrador-Mtis), Associate Professor, English, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Daniel Heath Justice (Cherokee), Associate Professor, English, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Literature and Expressive Culture, University of British Columbia

Dr. Eldon Yellowhorn (Piikani), Associate Professor, Archaeology, Director of First Nations Studies, Simon Fraser University

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Quinn

Acquisitions Editor

Wilfrid Laurier University Press

75 University Avenue West

Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5

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Phone: 519-884-0710 ext. 2843

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EDITOR Neal McLeod

This book has been published with the help of a grant from the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, through the Awards to Scholarly Publications Program, using funds provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Wilfrid Laurier University Press acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for our publishing program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Indigenous poetics in Canada / Neal McLeod, editor.

(Indigenous studies)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Issued in print and electronic formats.
ISBN 978-1-55458-982-1 (pbk.).ISBN 978-1-77112-009-8 (pdf).
ISBN 978-1-77112-008-1 (epub)

1. Indian poetryCanadaHistory and criticism. 2. Canadian poetryNative authors
History and criticism. I. McLeod, Neal, editor of compilation II. Series: Indigenous studies series

PS8147.I6I53 2014 C811.009897 C2014-901705-7
C2014-901706-5

Cover image: mistahi-maskwa (Big Bear) by Neal McLeod, 2012 (acrylic and oil on birch panels, 8 feet 6 feet), University of Saskatchewan Art Collection. Photo by Blair Barbeau. Cover design by Martyn Schmoll. Text design by Daiva Villa, Chris Rowat Design.

2014 Wilfrid Laurier University Press
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
www.wlupress.wlu.ca

Small Birds / Song Out of Silence, copyright 2014 by Joanne Arnott
Getting (Back) to Poetry: A Memoir, copyright 2014 by Daniel David Moses
Interview with Armand Garnet Ruffo, copyright 2014 by Armand Garnet Ruffo

This book is printed on FSC recycled paper and is certified Ecologo. It is made from 100% post-consumer fibre, processed chlorine free, and manufactured using biogas energy.

Printed in Canada

Every reasonable effort has been made to acquire permission for copyright material used in this text, and to acknowledge all such indebtedness accurately. Any errors and omissions called to the publishers attention will be corrected in future printings.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the publisher or a licence from the Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency (Access Copyright). For an Access Copyright licence, visit http://www.accesscopyright.ca or call toll free to 1-800-893-5777.

Neal McLeod

This book emerged during the Ogamas Aboriginal Festival in Brandon in the fall of 2009. One panel, which included Randy Lundy, Louise Halfe, and Duncan Mercredi, discussed the creative process within Indigenous poetry. Randy Lundy talked about the nature of poetic language, Louise Halfe talked about the power of ytin (wind) and breath, and Duncan Mercredi spoke of the sound of the rapids. A lively and rich discussion ensued. Marilyn Dumont suggested writing a book on creativity in the context of Indigenous poetry. At the break, I asked Randy Lundy if he would help me edit a book on Indigenous poetry and poetics to which he agreed. I could sense that there was momentum in writing such a book and using it for teaching and research. During the festival, I asked many of the poets if they would contribute. They agreed and were supportive of the project.

The next stage of the book involved applying for a SSHRC workshop grant. There were only ten days until the deadline, and Randy and I worked very hard to complete the grant application. In the spring, I was notified that we were successful in obtaining the grant. Randy, unfortunately, was unable to complete the project. However, without his help, this book would not have been possible. I would also like to acknowledge the support of my fiance, Natasha Beeds.

At the workshop in early November 2010, writers and academics gathered to discuss Indigenous poetics. Daniel David Moses remarked that this was perhaps the first gathering devoted to Indigenous poetics in Canada. To the best of my knowledge, this is the case, and indeed it was an honour to facilitate this process.

The book is divided into four sections. The first section, The Poetics of Memory, examines the dynamic way in which classical poetic narratives intersect with the living Indigenous present. The second section, Poetics of Place, examines the embodiment of Indigenous consciousness, and the way in which Indigenous oralities are animated through performance. Third, The Poetics of Performance examines one of the central elements of Indigeneity: namely, the consciousness of specific places that emerges as people dwell in specific places over long periods of time. Fourth, The Poetics of Medicine has the power to heal collective trauma, and to imagine and dream new possibilities.

I have deliberately not written a conclusion because I think that readers should arrive at their own understandings, and to imagine the possibilities of Indigenous poetics for themselves. My father, Jermiah McLeod, who passed way during the writing of this book, always taught me that I had to find the meaning of stories and words ultimately for myself.

It is hoped that this book will contribute not only to the discussion of Indigenous poetry but also to expand how we think of Indigenous consciousness in the larger context of Indigenous poetics.

All author royalties for this book will go towards a scholarship in the name of Marvin Francis.

Neal McLeod

Peterborough, 2014

This book would not have been possible without the assistance of many people. First and foremost, I would like to thank all the contributors to the volume. Without their work this volume would not have been possible.

I would like to give special thanks to Randy Lundy, whose early support of this project was very important. Although he was unable to see this project to completion, I am grateful for his early and invaluable support.