of kinship to possibilities beyond human biological relatives, including kin that are “otherthan-human”. These expansions help the reader leap beyond restrictive bounds of “family relationship” into a space where one can grasp the significance of interconnectedness, an imaginative sphere of the past, present, and future.
Why We Should Read: Daniel Heath Justice “We can’t possibly live otherwise until we first imagine otherwise.”, says Daniel Heath Justice. He describes relationships as threads of existence that weave together to give us meaning. He draws on an abundance of Indigenous writers and their writings to examine relationships: what it means to be human, a good relative, a good ancestor -- and asks, “how do we learn to live together?” Colonial attempts of erasure of Indigenous peoples, and distortion of their beliefs systems do not bring about a viable future; they never have. To learn to live together, the euro-western outlook needs to be re-examined. The author makes it clear - being uncomfortable is an agent of growth. Imagine any relationship. Discomfort “challenges us to think and do better.” The work is not over; the transformative Calls to Action of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission represent the beginning, not an end.
JOANE MORAN 10
250-743-1901 joanemoran.ca open by appointment smoran@shaw.ca
Being able to understand a multiplicity of stories instils social responsibility, enables us to learn to live well together. Indigenous literatures matter for many reasons; one - Indigenous writers understand transformative change. They expand the concept
Daniel Heath Justice’s insights better inform us than if we had read newspapers or listened to political commentaries. His words and those of a wealth of Indigenous writers bring promise. This book is full; impossible to relate with few words. The appendix, index, and bibliographic essay are a bonus. VIRL eBooks, downloadable audiobooks - June 2020 -- Why Indigenous Literatures Matter, Daniel Heath Justice; You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me: A Memoir, Sherman Alexie; #Not Your Princess: A Voice of Native American Woman, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale; Me Funny, edited by Drew Hayden Taylor; The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative, Thomas King; My Home As I Remember, Lee Maracle and Sandra Laronde, editors; Memory Serves: Oratories, Lee Maracle, edited by Smaro Kamboureli; Custer Died For Your Sins, Vine Deloria, Jr.; Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko; In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience, Helen Knott. The Warmland Book and Film Collective: a response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada – explores, celebrates, and learns from Indigenous authors and filmmakers – meets the 2nd Wednesday/each month. Next meeting is June 10, 2020, discussing the Alanis Obomsawin film Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, https://www. nfb.ca/film/kanehsatake_270_ years_of_resistance/. Questions? warmlandcollective@gmail.com. Submitted by Miyo Stevens
