Literally Leander discussion

Our shortest month of the year is represented by Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley.

This month, our discussion prompts come from the ever-useful Reading Group Guides. As always, these are just prompts, and you're not required to use them if you do not wish to. Otherwise, please feel free to share any thoughts you had while reading this novel!

1. Daunis starts every day with a prayer and a morning run. What is the significance of ritual to Daunis? What other rituals does she engage in?

2. Daunis talks about keeping her various “worlds” separate, saying, “My life goes more smoothly when Hockey World and Real World don’t overlap. Same as with my Fontaine and Firekeeper worlds.” What are ways in which we see Daunis acting to keep her worlds separate? Do you think she feels a stronger connection to one world or the other? Do you agree it’s easier to keep worlds separate?

3. Daunis often seeks wisdom and guidance from the Elders. How does the role of the Elders compare to the role of senior citizens in your community?

4. Both Daunis and Jamie struggle with their identities—while Daunis feels torn between many, Jamie doesn’t have any sense of where he comes from. Are there similarities in the way they consider their identities? Differences?

5. Aunt Teddie describes a Blanket Party as “Nish Kwe justice.” What do you think of this form of justice and how Blanket Parties were created? How do you think this might influence Daunis’s understanding of justice?

6. Teddie tells Daunis, “Not every Elder is a cultural teacher and not all cultural teachers are Elders. It’s okay to listen to what people say and only hold onto the parts that resonate with you. It’s okay to leave the rest behind. Trust yourself to know the difference.” What does Teddie mean? What does Daunis choose to hold onto and leave behind from her culture?

7. Why did the author choose to end the story on a powwow scene? How does this speak to the themes of the book?

8. Daunis references the Seven Grandfather teachings throughout the novel—Love, Humility, Respect, Honesty, Bravery, Wisdom, and Truth. Are there characters or moments that help Daunis learn and embody these teachings?

I felt bad because I didn't actually like this book. Like, I recognize that it is definitely important--it's nice to see Native American culture, written by someone who has grown up in that community--but I found the book itself to be a little overwhelming. In fact, what I said in my personal review was that there was just too much going on. There are multiple mysteries on top of Daunis's own personal issues, an it was a little drawn out. I just thought that this was not a good fit for me.