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Lighting the Eighth Fire: The Liberation, Resurgence, and Protection of Indigenous Nations
This remarkable collection of essays by leading Indigenous scholars focuses on the themes of freedom, liberation and Indigenous resurgence as they relate to the land. They analyze treaties, political culture, governance, environmental issues, economy, and radical social movements from an anti-colonial Indigenous perspective in a Canadian context.
Editor Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (Nishnaabekwe) has solicited Indigenous writers that place Indigenous freedom as their highest political goal, while turning to the knowledge, traditions, and culture of specific Indigenous nations to achieve that goal. The authors offer frank and political analysis and commentary of the kind not normally found in mainstream books, journals, and magazines.
Editor Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (Nishnaabekwe) has solicited Indigenous writers that place Indigenous freedom as their highest political goal, while turning to the knowledge, traditions, and culture of specific Indigenous nations to achieve that goal. The authors offer frank and political analysis and commentary of the kind not normally found in mainstream books, journals, and magazines.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2008
7 people are currently reading
561 people want to read
About the author
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
24 books1,089 followersLeanne Betasamosake Simpson is a renowned Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, writer and artist, who has been widely recognized as one of the most compelling Indigenous voices of her generation. Her work breaks open the intersections between politics, story and song—bringing audiences into a rich and layered world of sound, light, and sovereign creativity.
Working for two decades as an independent scholar using Nishnaabeg intellectual practices, Leanne has lectured and taught extensively at universities across Canada and the United States and has twenty years experience with Indigenous land based education. She holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba, and teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh.
Leanne is the author of six previous books, including This Accident of Being Lost, which won the MacEwan University Book of the Year; was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Trillium Book Award; was long listed for CBC Canada Reads; and was named a best book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Quill & Quire. Her latest book, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2017, and was awarded Best Subsequent Book by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Her new novel Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies is was release this fall by the House of Anansi Press.
Leanne is also a musician combining poetry, storytelling, song-writing and performance in collaboration with musicians to create unique spoken songs and soundscapes. Leanne's third record, The Theory of Ice will be released in 2021.
Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation.
Working for two decades as an independent scholar using Nishnaabeg intellectual practices, Leanne has lectured and taught extensively at universities across Canada and the United States and has twenty years experience with Indigenous land based education. She holds a PhD from the University of Manitoba, and teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research & Learning in Denendeh.
Leanne is the author of six previous books, including This Accident of Being Lost, which won the MacEwan University Book of the Year; was a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize and the Trillium Book Award; was long listed for CBC Canada Reads; and was named a best book of the year by the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and Quill & Quire. Her latest book, As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2017, and was awarded Best Subsequent Book by the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Her new novel Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies is was release this fall by the House of Anansi Press.
Leanne is also a musician combining poetry, storytelling, song-writing and performance in collaboration with musicians to create unique spoken songs and soundscapes. Leanne's third record, The Theory of Ice will be released in 2021.
Leanne is a member of Alderville First Nation.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 15, 2019
A useful collection of essays.
December 19, 2021
Essays on a wide range of subjects, some more theoretical and some on geographically specific land and water struggles, broadly under the umbrella of Indigenous resurgence. Some are a little heady, and I had to read a little slower to absorb, but there's nothing wrong with that! Some touch on culture and language, but a lot are related to ecological concerns, although that's viewed in an expansive way, based on relationship. There are also a lot of reminders that Indigenous Nations are not monolithic, and there are inter-tribal and intra-tribal differences, so the writers generally don't shy away from the complexities of navigating the future. It's never simple or utopian, but something that will require real work and commitment: is a good reminder for all of us.
January 20, 2021
Given that it was published in 2008, it's still very relevant. Excellent read for folks who want to learn more about Indigenous intellectual and cultural resurgence in the face of contemporary Canadian colonialism.
October 16, 2025
I have always enjoyed Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's books and the collection of essays is no different.
September 24, 2009
This is a slightly revised version of a review which appeared in The Peterborough Examiner in fall, 2008:
Lighting the Eighth Fire is a collection of essays by Indigenous writers from across Canada edited by Leanne Simpson, a Peterborough native, Trent University professor and well-known Nishnaabekwe activist and educator.
Simpson's own contributions include an introductory essay entitled Oshkimaadiziig, the New People. The new people in question are those discussed in the well-known Nishnaabeg Seventh Fire Prophesy. This sacred prophesy describes the current time as the Seventh Fire, when, after the colonial period of environmental destruction and cultural loss, a new people arrive. It is their responsibility to pick up things left beside the path in times past and to renew relationships with traditional Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
According to the prophesy, Simpson writes, the work of the Oshkimaadiziig determines the outcome of the Eighth Fire, an eternal fire to be lit by all humans. It is an everlasting fire of peace, but its existence depends upon our actions and our choices today. In order for the Eighth Fire to be lit, settler society must also choose to change their ways, to decolonize their relationship with the land and Indigenous Nations, and to join with us in building a sustainable future based on mutual recognition, justice and respect.
Paula Sherman's name is known to many as, along with Robert Lovelace, she was arrested for protesting the proposed uranium mine at Robertsville, north of Sharbot Lake in rural eastern Ontario. In Chapter Six, The Friendship Wampum, Professor Sherman talks about the problems the Ardoch Algonquin community encountered with cottagers and the MNR while designing a cultural centre at Pine Lake. The usefulness of this chapter and many others is to make clear that Indigenous people had complex systems of governance in place long before the beginning of the colonial era, and that they have their own ongoing laws and methods of environmental assessment which it is their spiritual responsibility to adhere to.
For instance Chapter Five, by Renée Elizabeth Mzinegizhigo-kwe Bédard describes how it is the responsibility of women to bless and pray to water during ceremony. Bédard posits water as a relative in the traditional purview, hence the importance of caring for it as we might care for family members. She includes several profound quotes from Odawa Elder Shirley Ida Williams as well as current efforts by Nishnaabeg women to carry out this work. One example is the grassroots coalition Mother Earth Water Walkers who have circumnavigated each of the Great Lakes on foot, carrying a copper pail of water. Relying on donations only, they completed their walk this year and garnered considerable media attention.
Each piece in Lighting The Eighth Fire is worthy of detailed commentary impossible in this review due to space constraints. However poets rightly often bemoan the fact they are left out of reviews and this must be remedied, for poetry, like song, goes straight to the heart of the matter, as does Charlie Greg Sark's Kulu, Cops and You.
This important book will appeal to readers of both local and national Canadian history as well as to those with an interest in sustainability. Both subjects are presented from an Indigenous perspective still largely missing from mainstream publications. Activists involved in environmental and First Nations causes will find much to learn from and be inspired by.
Lighting the Eighth Fire is a collection of essays by Indigenous writers from across Canada edited by Leanne Simpson, a Peterborough native, Trent University professor and well-known Nishnaabekwe activist and educator.
Simpson's own contributions include an introductory essay entitled Oshkimaadiziig, the New People. The new people in question are those discussed in the well-known Nishnaabeg Seventh Fire Prophesy. This sacred prophesy describes the current time as the Seventh Fire, when, after the colonial period of environmental destruction and cultural loss, a new people arrive. It is their responsibility to pick up things left beside the path in times past and to renew relationships with traditional Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
According to the prophesy, Simpson writes, the work of the Oshkimaadiziig determines the outcome of the Eighth Fire, an eternal fire to be lit by all humans. It is an everlasting fire of peace, but its existence depends upon our actions and our choices today. In order for the Eighth Fire to be lit, settler society must also choose to change their ways, to decolonize their relationship with the land and Indigenous Nations, and to join with us in building a sustainable future based on mutual recognition, justice and respect.
Paula Sherman's name is known to many as, along with Robert Lovelace, she was arrested for protesting the proposed uranium mine at Robertsville, north of Sharbot Lake in rural eastern Ontario. In Chapter Six, The Friendship Wampum, Professor Sherman talks about the problems the Ardoch Algonquin community encountered with cottagers and the MNR while designing a cultural centre at Pine Lake. The usefulness of this chapter and many others is to make clear that Indigenous people had complex systems of governance in place long before the beginning of the colonial era, and that they have their own ongoing laws and methods of environmental assessment which it is their spiritual responsibility to adhere to.
For instance Chapter Five, by Renée Elizabeth Mzinegizhigo-kwe Bédard describes how it is the responsibility of women to bless and pray to water during ceremony. Bédard posits water as a relative in the traditional purview, hence the importance of caring for it as we might care for family members. She includes several profound quotes from Odawa Elder Shirley Ida Williams as well as current efforts by Nishnaabeg women to carry out this work. One example is the grassroots coalition Mother Earth Water Walkers who have circumnavigated each of the Great Lakes on foot, carrying a copper pail of water. Relying on donations only, they completed their walk this year and garnered considerable media attention.
Each piece in Lighting The Eighth Fire is worthy of detailed commentary impossible in this review due to space constraints. However poets rightly often bemoan the fact they are left out of reviews and this must be remedied, for poetry, like song, goes straight to the heart of the matter, as does Charlie Greg Sark's Kulu, Cops and You.
This important book will appeal to readers of both local and national Canadian history as well as to those with an interest in sustainability. Both subjects are presented from an Indigenous perspective still largely missing from mainstream publications. Activists involved in environmental and First Nations causes will find much to learn from and be inspired by.
November 9, 2017
This book exemplifies what resurgence is. It's well written and very inspiring. It exposes paths towards reconciliation too.
March 2, 2013
I tremendous collection of essays by young Indigenous thinkers. The strength of this collection is how it accounts for both the diversity of issues and experiences as well as the diversity in 'philosophical' orientations or approaches advocated. A great introduction to contemporary Canadian Indigenous thought.
May 19, 2010
A very important book!
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March 31, 2014Reviewed here.
September 24, 2015
Activist stories
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews