Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water

The Debwe Series

by Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair (Editor), Warren Cariou (Editor), Beatrice Mosionier (Foreword)

This anthology of Aboriginal writings from Manitoba takes readers back through the millennia and forward to the present day, painting a dynamic picture of a territory interconnected through words, ideas, and experiences. A rich collection of stories, poetry, nonfiction, and speeches, it features:

-Historical writings, from important figures.
-Vibrant literary writing by eminent Aboriginal writers.
-Nonfiction and political writing from contemporary Aboriginal leaders.
-Local storytellers and keepers of knowledge from far-reaching Manitoba communities.
-New, vibrant voices that express the modern Aboriginal experiences.
-Anishinaabe, Cree, Dene, Inuit, Métis, and Sioux writers from Manitoba.

Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writing from across Canada. Manitowapow, a one-of-a-kind anthology, is the first book in The Debwe Series. Manitowapow is the traditional name that became Manitoba, a word that describes the sounds of beauty and power that created the province.

Genres: Indigenous, Poetry, History, Native American, Anthologies, Canada, Short Stories

420 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2012

About the author

Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter's/Little Peguis) and an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is a regular commentator on Indigenous issues on CTV, CBC, and APTN, and his written work can be found in the pages of The Exile Edition of Native Canadian Fiction and Drama, newspapers like The Guardian, and online with CBC Books: Canada Writes. Niigaan is the co-editor of the award-winning Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water (Highwater Press, 2011) and Centering Anishinaabeg Studies: Understanding the World Through Stories (Michigan State University Press, 2013), and is the Editorial Director of The Debwe Series with Portage and Main Press.

Niigan obtained his BA in Education at the University of Winnipeg, before completing an MA in Native- and African-American literatures at the University of Oklahoma, and a PhD in First Nations and American Literatures from the University of British Columbia.

Reviews

[J.L. Slipak · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS:

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is an incredible book. I always say that in order for us, humans, to find out who we are, who our ancestors were, we need to learn to appreciate, listen to and respect the indigenous people of this world. It is in their ancestors and the stories they passed down generation after generation, that hold clues to this long-suffered mystery.

This anthology of Aboriginal writings from Manatoba takes readers on a journey through past to present day, telling of life and journeys, understandings and ways of life using stories, poetry, nonfiction and speeches.

You’ll discover: Historical writings, Literary writings, Nonfiction and political writings, stories by local storytellers and discover new and vibrant voices that share modern Aboriginal experiences.
Share in visions of hope and understandings.

The contents contain:

Forward
Preface
Introduction
Traditional System of Writing in Manitowapow
Peguis: Anishinaabe 1774-1864 – includes two sub-sections
Pierre Falcon: Metis 1793-1876 – includes two sub-sections
Cuthbert James Grant and the Sioux Chiefs: Metis 1793-1854/unknown – includes three sub-sections
Peter Jacobs (Pahtahsega): Anishinaabe/Mississauga 1807-1890 – includes one sub-section
Henry Budd (Sakachuwescam): Cree 1812 – 1875 – includes one sub-section
Louis Riel: Metis 1844-1885 – includes six sub-sections
Gabriel Dumont: Metis 1837-1906 – includes three sub-sections
Harriette Goldsmith Sinclair Cowan:Metis/Cree 1832-1926 – includes four sub-sections
Charles Alexander Eastman (Ohiyesa): Santee Sioux 1858-1939 – includes one sub-section
Kuskapatchees: Swampy Cree 18?? -19?? – includes five sub-sections
William Berens (Tabasigizikweas): Anishinaabe 1866-1947 – includes three sub-sections
Maurice Sanderson: Cree 1877-?? -includes three sub-sections
Alex Grisdale: Anishinaabe 1896-?? – includes three sub-sections
The Dene Elders Project- Dene
Marisis Aze: includes three sub-sections
Bart Dzeylion: includes one sub-section
Helen Joseyounen: includes two sub-sections
Gabriel Tsannie: includes one sub-section
James Redsky (Esquekesik): Anishinaabe 1899-?? – includes one sub-section
Albert Edward Thompson: Cree/Saulteaux 1900-1973 – includes one sub-section
Thomas Boulanger: Cree 1901-?? – includes one sub-section
Norway House Elders: Cree
Irene Muswagon: includes three sub-sections
Tommy York: includes four sub-sections
Ruby Beardy: includes one sub-section
Betsy Muminawatum: includes four sub-sections
David Courchene Sr.: Anishinaabe 1926-1992 – includes two sub-sections
Alice Masak French: Ninatakmuit Inuit 1930-?? – includes one sub-section
Louis Bird (Pennishish): Omushkego Cree 1934-?? – includes three sub-sections
Elders of Moose Lake: Cree – includes four sub-sections
Tobasonakwut Kinew: Anishinaabe 1936-?? – includes one sub-section
Elders of Grand Rapids: Cree – includes three sub-sections
Bernelda Wheeler: Cree/Assiniboine/Saulteaux 1937-2005 – includes two sub-sections
The Prairie Call: includes six sub-sections
Citizens of Camperville: Meti – includes one sub-section
George Morrissette: Metis 1938-?? – includes two sub-sections
Doris Young: Cree 1940 -?? – includes one sub-section
Theodore Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1941-?? – includes one sub-section
Marie Annharte (nee Baker): Anishinaabe 1942-?? – includes five sub-sections
Jackson Beardy: Anishinaabe/Cree 1944-1984 – includes three sub-sections
Phil Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1944-?? – includes one sub-chapter
Joe Mclellan and Matrine Therriault: Metis 1945 and Anishinaabe/Cree 1946 – includes one sub-section
Ovide Mercredi: Cree 1946-?? – includes one sub-section
Elijah Harper: Cree 1949-?? – includes one sub-section
Charles Nelson (Mizhakwanigiizhik): Anishinaabe 1949-?? – includes one sub-section
Emma Larocque: Plains Cree Metis 1949-?? – includes three sub-sections
Beatrice Mosionier: Metis 1949-?? – includes two sub-sections
Patricia Ningewance: Anishinaabe 1951-?? – includes two sub-sections
Murray Sinclair: Anishinaabe 1951-?? – includes one sub-section
Inmates at Stony Mountain Institution: Anonymous – includes three sub-sections
Tomson Highway: Cree 1951-?? – includes three sub-sections
Duncan Mercredi: Cree/Metis 1951-?? – includes five sub-sections
Lorraine Mayer: Metis 1953-?? – includes two sub-sections
Marvin Francis: Cree 1955-2005 – includes five sub-sections
Ila Bussidor: Dene 1955-?? – includes one sub-section
Douglas Nepinak: Saulteaux 1960-2005 – includes three sub-sections
Darrell Racine: Metis 1960-?? – includes one sub-section
Joanne Arnott: Metis 1960-?? – includes one sub-section
Brenda Isabel Wastasecoot: Cree 1963-?? – includes one sub-section
Jordan Wheeler: Cree/Anishinaabe/Assiniboine 1964-?? -includes one sub-section
Cheryl Smoke: Dakota Sioux 1964-?? – includes one sub-section
Trevor Greyeyes: Anishinaabe 1964-?? – includes one sub-section
David Mcleod: Anishinaabe/Metis 1964-?? – includes three sub-sections
Paul Depasquale: Haudenosaunee 1965-?? – includes two sub-sections
Shayla Elizabeth: Cree 1965-?? – includes one sub-section
Gregory Scofield: Cree/Metis 1966-?? – includes three sub-sections
Warren Cariou: Metis 1966-?? – includes one sub-section
Gilbert James Fredette: Cree/Innu 1966-?? – includes two sub-sections
Randy Lundy: Cree 1967-?? – includes four sub-sections
Ian Ross: Anishinaabe 1968-?? – includes three sub-sections
Nichola Tookoome Batzel: Inuk 1970-?? – includes one sub-section
Columpa C. Bobb: Coast Salish 1971-?? – includes one sub-section
Nahanni Fontaine: Anishinaabe 1971-?? – includes one sub-section
Rosanna Deerchild: Cree 1972-?? – includes four sub-sections
Colleen Simard: Anishinaabe/Cree 1972-?? – includes two sub-sections
Maeengan Linklater: Anishinaabe 1974-?? – includes one sub-section
Althea Guiboche: Cree/Saulteaux 1974-?? – includes two sub-sections
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair: Anishinaabe 1976-?? – includes one sub-section
Donna Beyer: Cree/Anishinaabe 1976-?? – includes two sub-sections
Clayton Thomas-Muller: Cree 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
Ryan McMahon: Anishinaabe/Metis 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
Katherena Vermette: Metis 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
David Alexander Robertson: Swampy Cree 1977-?? – includes one sub-section
Wabanakwut (Wab) Kinew: Anishinaabe 1981-?? – includes one sub-section
Julie Lafreniere: Metis 1982-?? – includes one sub-section
Jennifer Storm: Anishinaabe 1986-?? – includes one sub-section
Susanne Morrissette: Metis 1987-?? – includes one sub-section
Rebecca Kantimere: Anishinaabe 1989-?? – includes one sub-section
Alyssa Bird: Cree/Anishinaabe 1993-?? includes one sub-section
Permissions/Sources
Thematic Index

Each section introduces the author and then in the sections following that, there’s a sample or samples of their work in the sub-sections. This is a historical gold mine for those who write about Aboriginal history, legends and folklore. It will be staying on my resource shelf for future use.

[Kelsey Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent anthology. Some super poignant pieces. Every Manitoban should read this.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book that covers various cultures and points of view in a wide ranging formats.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much to learn

[Arlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous anthology! Speeches by Chief Peguis, Louis Riel's letter to the government (which I'm very sorry to say I'd never read before), journals, all the way up to modern day poems, hip hop songs, and short stories - so much of this collection blew me away. Some of them were hilarious, some were poignant and saddening. A worthwhile read. As the entries are fairly short, you can read a bit here and there; I feel like I've really accomplished something after having finished it over the course of many months.