Rekindling the Sacred Fire: Métis Ancestry and Anishinaabe Spirituality

by Chantal Fiola

Why don’t more Métis people go to traditional ceremonies? How does going to ceremonies impact Métis identity? In Rekindling the Sacred Fire, Chantal Fiola investigates the relationship between Red River Métis ancestry, Anishinaabe spirituality, and identity, bringing into focus the ongoing historical impacts of colonization upon Métis relationships with spirituality on the Canadian prairies. Using a methodology rooted in an Indigenous world view, Fiola interviews eighteen people with Métis ancestry, or an historic familial connection to the Red River Métis, who participate in Anishinaabe ceremonies, sharing stories about family history, self-identification, and their relationships with Aboriginal and Eurocanadian cultures and spiritualities.

Genres: Indigenous, Spirituality, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 2014

Reviews

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me time to be able to approach this book, as I moved to Europe and have held onto it, unread, as one way of being tethered still.

I finally finished it and I am glad I have.

Marsii, Chantal Fiola.

I appreciate you and the work that you do.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book was really interesting although it is full of footnotes and researchers' notes. These detracted from the narrative. The complicated history of our Métis people as explored with legal, community, spiritual, and family perspectives here made my head spin. The whimsy and determination with which colonial and religious bigots tried in every which way to eradicate the Métis and First Nations people and culture is breathtaking in its simplicity and brutality. Through the eyes of her research subjects, she helps tell their stories of perseverance practicing Anishinaabe spirituality.

My three stars are only because I just found it really difficult to dig through the academic language and get to meanings of what she was telling us. I also couldn't follow along as she named groups of people and how they were different from other research subjects. I would have found this way more digestible to have a person's story all together and then a recap of patterns, realizations, conclusions, etc. afterwards. I didn't really get to know them and what their lives and experiences told us/me.

All that being said, I learned a lot and it inspires me to learn even more.

[Richelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a captivating discussion and exploration of the journey of living a life of Indigenous spirituality and the barriers and blessings this life path provides. So much gratitude to the bravery of the author and the participants for sharing their words and teachings. A compelling presentation of thoughtful and necessary research. I truly appreciated the interwoven traditional teachings and legends with the honest sharing from both author and participants about their realities. The ability to consider experiences across different generations was also a true strength of this offering of knowledge. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about the spirituality of Indigenous peoples or who are on their own journey of spirituality.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this book - but it was still a bit academic - hence the 3 star.
Interesting exploration of Metis spirituality but also an eye-opener that some of us signed away our treaty rights to take script. Validation for those who were attracted to ceremony but never felt like it was ours to claim/explore. First half was historical context and second half was more a summary of her research conversations. I appreciated the candor on "white passing" and the judgement or animosity between Treaty vs Metis.

[Leslie Wexler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Academic review of Metis who pursued Anishanaabe spirituality. Interesting discussion in the penultimate chapter about indigenous/Metis internal discrimination and what constitutes "racism" and whether racism can only be applied to colonial, white bodies.

First introduction to seven fires prophecy.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a pretty interesting book on Métis Ancestry and Anishinaabe Spirituality.

As a Métis myself, there were parts of this book that were new to me, so it was a good book with lots to learn.

3.6/5

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read study of Métis and Anishinaabe spirituality and syncretism. The use of interviews and participant's life and family stories makes the book an interesting read that challenges western ideas of Indigenous spirituality and binary ideas between settler and Indigneity.

[Am · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me much-needed clarity. Highly recommend to those who are exploring their Métis identity.