Kegedonce Authors’ Blogs

Inspiring. That’s the one word i would use to describe meeting Gerald Vizenor. I was fortunate enough to meet him on his recent visit to Ottawa and to have the opportunity to interview him (for an upcoming issue of Rampike magazine), hear his lecture, and hang out with him a bit. After the interview the world was electric. I was spinning - filled with ideas and questions and energy. It was one of the most engaging and thought provoking conversations i’ve had in quite a while - which, given the company i keep, is saying something.

What surprised me the most i think was how completely humble and generous he is. To be honest, before the interview i was intimidated. The man is an icon. A brilliant icon. And lately, i’ve been pretty much out of the academic realm. In fact, as a single mom, i’ve been doing a completely different type of learning with the best teacher i’ve ever had: my 18 month old son. So yes, i readily admit it: i was nervous. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity to have a really stimulating conversation but since i am in a sleep deprived haze more often than not these days, it was a real possibility. So, i did my homework AND i talked to friends - really smart friends. Friends like Rampike editor Karl Jirgens and our own Daniel Heath Justice. Friends like Niigonwedom Sinclair and Neal McLeod and Sam McKegney. Yep, i brought out the big guns. And, of course, i read whatever i could find online. Still, i was nervous. So nervous i forgot my camera in my car.

Little did i know what a warm welcome i would receive and how easy it would be to talk to Gerald. (Look for the interview in an upcoming issue of Rampike - i’ll keep you posted on that.)

Truly one of the nicest people i’ve met lately. Here’s a pic of my good friend and colleague Sam McKegney and me with Gerald. If you’re jealous seeing me between two such amazing men, what can i say? Life is good!

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized

Great news! Speaking True: W’daub Awae, A Kegedonce Press Anthology will be launched in Winnipeg on May 13th! Edited by award winning Metis author and professor Warren Cariou, the anthology brings together new work by all Kegedonce Press authors in one glorious package. We can’t wait for you all to see it and explore the literary gems it contains.

More details about the Winnipeg launch and launches in other cities will be posted soon. But if you are in Winnipeg, mark your calendar now for May 13th! You won’t want to miss it.

See you there,

Kateri

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized Indigenous literature, Kegedonce Press, Speaking True, Warren Cariou

Hi Friends,

Here are a few photos of our dear friend and Kegedonce Press author, Basil Johnston. He invited Renee and me over for lunch, a few stories, and a bit of music. He’s a man of many talents!

Basil & Renee

Basil & me

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized Basil Johnston, Renee Abram

Ahnee my neechees. It’s been a while but wow, is there a LOT going on here at Kegedonce.

We’ve got TWO new releases this fall.

Stone the Crow front cover

Stone the Crow by Chris Bose is a book of poetry that will knock your socks off. Check out the ringing endorsements from Tomson Highway and others. The book itself is gorgeous, featuring front cover artwork by the very talented artist Aaron Paquette, back cover photo by Thoshography, and a very cool retro-look design by the amazing Tania Williard. What a wonderfully talented trio of Native artists! Kegedonce knows talent when we see it!

Our other new book is also poetry. It’s a collection of poetry by Gloria Mulcahy titled, Borderlands & Bloodline. It also features front cover art by Aaron Paquette and it’s beautiful.

Check back for info about booklaunches and parties and other celebrations of poetry!

Speaking of which, a few Kegedonce authors will be rocking into town. Gloria will be appearing in Owen Sound, Ontario November 21st at the downtown bookstore. Contact renee@kegedonce.com for details.

I’ll be at the ANDPVA festival, Creator Within, this Friday November 20 for TWO events. Check it:

Friday, November 20
1:00-3:30 @ Wychowood Gallery Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm presenting: Getting Published Workshop

7:00-9:00 $8.00 Performance in Words & Movement- featuring Outside Looking In by Tracee Smith; Breaking Free by Christine Friday-O’Leary; and ReGeneration with Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm @ The Loop Studio

We’ve got more great events and happenings coming up so check back soon. And while here take a look at the blogs by other Kegedonce authors.

Ciao for now my neechees!

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized Chris Bose, Gloria Mulcahy

photo by Keavy Martin

Keavy Martin, a friend and academic soon to start teaching at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, took this photo on a recent trip to the NAISA conference in Minneapolis. At the same time, I’ve been doing some work preparing summaries of essays in a journal to be released by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation called Response, Responsibility, and Renewal: Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Journey, wherein numerous writers and experts discuss the concepts of truth and reconciliation and what they mean in terms of our relationships with each other both on a socio-political level and personal level. Meanwhile, former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations made a statement this past week about the need for the men in our communities to live up to their responsibilities in their families and communities. I posted it on my Facebook page and a bit of a debate arose because I called his statement “brave” and someone I know said it needed to be said and therefore it wasn’t brave. In my opinion, however, it’s precisely because it needs to be said and yet there has been a resounding silence on the issue that i believe it was brave,  if not ‘revolutionary.’ of him to say what needed to be said.

Now, as a writer and the founder and Managing Editor of an Indigenous publishing company that uses the tagline “w’daub awae, speaking true” I find myself wondering, as I often do, how to articulate the truth as i understand it in a way that ultimately contributes to the creation of a loving and nurturing society without being so gentle that my words become weak and allow the lies and complicity and half-truths that surround us all, to continue. How do i come to understand my own truths, and who i am (i.e., the true Kateri who is beyond fear of censure), in a world so intent on labeling, defining, obscuring, controlling, and oppressing those who don’t, and perhaps don’t want to, wield the economic and political power of a President, multi-national corporation, or who don’t hold the same values that reward violent domination, rampant materialism, and right-wing religious views? What about those of us who value love, relationship, kindness, compassion, creativity, and respect? How do we speak our truth and what happens when we are not heard or when we are attacked for daring to challenge the prevailing attitudes that have led to our oppression, the brutalizing of our children, the poverty of our communities, the wrenching apart of our families, the near destruction of our languages, and our distancing from and mutual distrust of those around us who ought to be our neighbours and friends?

Years ago, i wrote an essay called “Dispelling and Telling” in the collection of essays Looking at the Words of Our People, edited by Okanagan writer Jeannette Armstrong. In it i spoke of writing as “a means of recognizing and acknowledging the strength, the beauty, the value and the contributions of Native peoples. It is a means of affirming cultures, of clarifying lies, of speaking truth, of resisting oppression, of asserting identity, of self-empowerment, of survival, of moving beyond survival.”  Today, 17 years later, i still believe this and yet it seems that now the need for truth-telling is as urgent as ever and as revolutionary an act as it’s ever been.

And so the work continues, the publishing continues, and the words, fuelled by love, continue…

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized

mmmmm...

When i was a child, my family would travel from Toronto to the rez for Easter weekend. On Saturday we’d inevitably end up at the Purple Valley Maple Syrup Festival, just a 5 minute drive from my Grandparents’ home at Sydney Bay. Purple Valley is a small community. When i say small i mean that there are only a handfull of houses, a former general store, once the hub of the area, that was converted to a home about 20 years ago and that has been empty for years now, a small building that i think was a church but is now a home, and the little community hall across the road. On the Saturday of Easter weekend, Purple Valley comes alive.

Back in the day, maple syrup makers from all over the peninsula would come to the festival to sell their fresh crop of syrup. They’d set up small tables along the fence outside the hall or they’d sell bottles of syrupand maple sugar candy from the trunks of their cars or the backs of their pick up trucks.

Inside the gates, there’d be music playing and picnic tables set up. Farming families, people from the rez, out of towners, and locals from the surrounding area would tramp about in the mud and muck, if it had rained in the previous few days, or sometimes in the snow or rain. We’d eat our pancakes and sausages outside in the rain or snow or mud. Normally, i wouldn’t have wanted to eat outside with my food getting cold or rained on but for the maple syrup festival, i wouldn’t have had it any other way.

There was always a big stack of hay bales piled that the kids would climb over and the occasional gunshot from the turkey shoot at the back of the property. Ponies from the Purple Valley riding stables would be there, giving little ones rides on their dusty backs. Farm animals in pens lined the fence. Sometimes arts and crafts and various homemade goods filled the hall and spilled outside. Some years there were wagon rides to Burt’s Farm sugar bush.

mom and fred

For the first 20-some years of my life i never missed the Maple Syrup Festival. It didn’t matter where i lived or what else was going on, i’d make the trip. As i got older it wasn’t the same big family event with grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in tow like it was when i was a little girl, but whoever went would still have fun. Those were happy times.

They still are.

famm damily festival-goers

It hasn’t changed much and i suppose we haven’t either. We’re older, yes, some of the family is no longer with us, and some new ones have shown up, but we’re still just a family from the rez out to enjoy a meal together in one of the first rites of spring.

And the pancakes and maple syrup still taste as sweet as they ever did, out there under the blue Purple Valley sky.

pancakes and syrup as 'see-food'

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized

Again, in no particular order, here are 5 more of the films that have had an impact on me in some way. Let me know yours.

Here they are:

26. Edward Scissorhands. I love the fairy tale like quality of this film. The colours, the story, the style of the sets and what it says about accepting difference and individuality. Also, i love the image of the boy with scissors for hands who can’t help but sometimes hurt what he loves. Apart from that, Johnny Depp’s performance is so vulnerable and sweet and comical, that i realized the first time i saw it that he was a true artist and not just a pretty face. But man, what a pretty face. Gorgeous.

27. Memento. I love the idea of someone basically having to write their life into existence and what it says about the importance of story.

28. Tsotsi. This film completely wowed me. I picked up the video on a whim while at a store that sells a lot of foreign and specialty films. I’d never heard of it but the blurb sounded interesting and i like foreign film so i took a chance and bought it. Wow. It’s about a violent young gang member from the slums of Soweto who, over the course of a few days, regains his humanity through unexpected circumstances. The acting is superb and though it’s subtitled, there is actually little dialogue. That is one thing that i love about this film - it conveys so much with so few words. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it.

29. The Godfather. Brilliant. What can one say about this film? If you haven’t seen it, see it. It’s a classic for good reason.

30. Kanehsatake: 270  Years of Resistance. Landmark documentary film about the “Oka Crisis” in Quebec in 1990 by the multi-talented Abenaki director Alanis Obamsawin. After the media was removed and film confiscated by the military, she was the only one filming what really happened between the Canadian military and the Mohawk people and their supporters who were trapped inside the treatment centre. Real Canadian history captured on film. Absolutely fascinating and one of the most important documentary films about Indigenous issues ever as well as one of the most important films ever made in Canada bar none. If you’re Canadian and you haven’t seen it, you don’t know who you are.

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized

Okay, these aren’t in any particular order of preference. I only numbered them to… well… keep track of the number. Here goes..

1. Il Postino. I’ve only seen this movie once. Partly because i loved it so much it might be anti-climactic to watch it again. But i probably will because it’s so beautiful and i love words and love Pablo Neruda and i love poetry. The performances are nuanced and lovely. A gorgeous film.

2. The Pillow Book. Words written on bodies. It’s erotic. It’s thought provoking. The images stay in one’s mind indelibly.

3. Atanaarjuat. One of the most visually stunning movies i’ve ever seen. It’s stark and the story is simple but has incredible depth.

4. The Rabbit Proof Fence. Based on a book by Doris Pilkington, this true life story about the Stolen Generations in Australia is heart-wrenching. The performances of the girls, who had never acted before this, are so completely guileless. There is none of that Hollywood kid precociousness that can become so annoying. I think it’s definitely one of the all time best films to come out of Australia.

5. Bad Boy Bubby. Weird. Creepy. Quirky. But all of those things without being coy or overimpressed with its own intelligence. It’s not like some films that try too hard to be “indie” and quirky. There’s a bizarre but fascinating plot. I saw this film one of the first times i was in Australia. I’d checked out of my hotel and had to kill time before taking a red-eye home so i decided i’d see an Australian film. I’ve never forgotten it. I bet you won’t either.

6. Un Chien Andalou. I saw this in a European Film Class i took my first year at York University. To be honest, i knew nothing about European film but i thought it would be cool to get credit for watching movies and learning how to analyze them. It was a class i took because i thought it would be easy. In some ways, it was. But it was also my introduction to film (as opposed to movies) and i loved it. The films were classic, wildly inventive, intelligent, technically brilliant, intellectually stimulating and Un Chien Andalou was the one that was all of those things and the one least like anything i’d ever seen before.

7. The Exorcist. I generally don’t like horror movies at all. I find them to be poorly made, illogical, poorly acted (usually), formulaic, and the plots are over simplistic or convoluted and nonsensical. I like words. I like good stories. Most horror movies are about the gore and sound effects. Manipulative. But THIS film is chilling. It gets into your head. And the enhanced scene that was added in showing Regan creeping down the steps on her fnger and toe-tips made my skin crawl.

8. Nosferatu. Another from my film class. I was amazed at how creative the filming was. The use of shadows and split screen was a revelation to me. There were no big special effects yet it was suspenseful and scary. I also loved the depth of the film - the eroticism and the way the symbolism took the vampire figure beyond a simple ‘monster’ type character to encapsulate our fears about love and sex. Wow.

9. Te Rua. An amazing film by the late and great Maori filmmaker Barry Barclay. A story about the repatriation of Maori “artifacts” from a European museum, i saw it the first time i was in Aotearoa in 1991. I met Barry and we kept in touch for several years. What an artistic vision and commitment he had. If you can see his work, do so.

10. The Sound of Music. When i was a child we lived only a couple of blocks from the beautiful old Eglinton Theatre and would often walk up there on the weekend to watch a movie. The Sound of Music was there for ages. Probably 9 months… or 12 months… so i’m sure i saw it a few times. What an experience. The Eglinton Theatre was magnificent. One of those grand old cinemas with the immaculate red velvet curtains, plush seats, gold columns, and incredible sound systems. The screen was huge, there were several levels so there really wasn’t a bad seat. This was how i first watched this big, beautiful movie. I loved it then and i still love it. Who can watch it and not love Julie Andrews?

11. The Whale Rider. Based on the book by the wonderful Witi Ihimaera, this film made me homesick for my whanau in Aotearoa. Who can watch the scene of the girl’s speech and not be moved? The performances, especially hers, were stellar. The landscape and cinematography is gorgeous. Plus the story tackles some important issues about tradition and stories and how to keep our cultures from becoming stagnant and repressive while still retaining what makes us so unique and vital.

12. Tkaranto. It’s a quiet film but i found it to be honest and real and masterful. To know that it was accomplished on a shoestring budget and in such a short time, fills me with awe. Imagine what Shane Belcourt can do with a proper budget and time! All that aside, it’s a better film that most big budget films and can stand on its own in any company.

13. Once Were Warriors. I hated and loved this film. The performances were brutal and real and intense. It portrays domestic violence in a way that i doubt has ever been done before. The camera doesn’t cut away, the scenes aren’t cut when the hitting begins, it shows each big hamfisted punch to the woman’s face, each vicious stomp to her body and the next day we see her swollen, battered face and body. The film, unlike most, is so much better than the book. Watch the film, ignore the book.

14. Elf. This is a great family film. It’s heartwarming, funny, has a sweet disposition, and has a positive message about being true to oneself. So many of the new Christmas movies have a nasty edge that i find reprehensible. Fighting to get a kid a particular toy? No wonder so many children are unrelenting consumers. But Elf restores my sense of joy. It’s playful and kind and has a big heart.

15. Spirited Away. For me, this is the best animated film ever. Hayao Miyazaki is brilliant. There’s no dumbing down for children. I took my nephew to see it. He’s always been a laid back kid but i knew he wasn’t too sure about the whole idea. He loved it. In fact, he asked me to take him next time a film like that came out.

16. Terminator. I saw this when it first came out and i was hooked within minutes. I don’t why i like this sort of film, but i do. I love it. This is the only good thing Arnold’s ever done in my opinion. It’s the perfect role for a big beefy guy who can hardly act.

17. The Matrix. It changed film. Using slow speed to depict ultrafast action is genius. I loved the whole zen inspired subtext. Action with a level of intelligence, inventiveness, and creativity. How cool is that?

18. Smoke Signals. It’s got a place in my heart for telling a Native story from a Native writer with a Native cast and crew and director. Who can hear “hey, Victor!” and not know exactly what the reference is? Or “and your mom was just in here, crying!”? Who can forget the infamous wig scene in the truck? It’s got characters, dialogue, and humour i can understand. Unlike movies like Luna which i thought turned a story that had potential to address some important issues into movie of the week cheese or Johnny Tootall which sounded like the dialogue had been written by people trying to make the characters sound like they thought Native characters should sound instead of like real people, Smoke Signals seems familiar. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly worth seeing! And, in my opinion, it’s still one of Adam Beach’s two best, least affected, most real performances. The other one is his Flags of Our Fathers performance. Still waiting to see if he can come out with a third. Also waiting for Sherman Alexie’s next great film. The one he directed, The Business of Fancydancing, while good intentioned, is simply not a great film despite the great cast.

19. Grease. Sure the cast was 15 years too old for their parts as high school students but it was still a helluva lot of fun! And it still is. Grease is the word. (Oh, how Richard Van Camp can argue that the completely forgettable and forgotten Grease 2 is better (BETTER!?) is beyond nutz. All i can say is that he must have it BAD for Michelle Pfeiffer. There is no other explanation.

20. The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Okay, it’s not a great film but it’s a wonderfully fun experience. I’ve seen it numerous times. Once was in Toronto with a group of people who had seen it so many times they came dressed as characters and acted it out in front of the screen and running through the theatre. That rocked. Drew Taylor and i went to that one i think. I also saw it at the drive in. Less fun but we beeped our horns and yelled “Asshole!” every time the narrator was onscreen and that was fun. And c’mon, it was the drive in. Everything at the drive in is fun. Especially in high school. The other memorable time was when i was in university and came home for Halloween weekend. My sister and friends and i got dressed up for Halloween and went to the old Centre Theatre in downtown Owen Sound to catch a late night screening. My sister backcombed my long hair so it was about 2 feet high, covered it in talcum powder, and applied make up that included a face peel that was partially peeled off so it looked like my skin was peeling off. I wore dark clothes and wouldn’t speak to anyone. And though i was with my sister and in a town where i completed grades 7 & 8 and went to high school, no one recognized me. That was cool.

21. The Way We Were. The absolute best chick flick ever! I was in love with Robert Redford when i was a little girl and no wonder. Also, Barbara Streisand was fabulous. Not a typical beauty, she was so young and talented and full of personality and energy, i loved her. What woman doesn’t see herself in this character? A tear jerker with great performances and an intelligent script.

22. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I love the cinematography. The walking on trees scene makes me catch my breath. It’s so gorgeous. I love the blending of old type stories with modern elements. And the love story makes my heart expand until it feels like it could burst. So, so touching though they don’t touch. Very sensual.

23. Monty Python’s Life of Brian. Hilarious. I still watch it and laugh. It just doesn’t get old. It’s as funny today as it was when it was made. Bwian of Jewewsawim! I love the scene where the followers break into sects - worshipping his sandal etc. A scathingly funny indictment of religious fervour. Love it.

24. Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail. My all time favourite scene is the one with Dennis the peasant. “Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I’m being repressed!”

25. Star Wars. I remember sitting in the Centre Theatre in Owen Sound and seeing the trailer for Star Wars (i, of course, was a mere infant or perhaps unborn - it’s amazing i can remember it at all!), and everyone being blown away by the special effects and vowing to go see it. Star Wars changed special effects. Sure the series was milked for all it was worth and virtually ruined by greed but that first film? Wow.

More to come…

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized

You probably know Kegedonce is offering its professional development for Aboriginal writers workshop in Ottawa later this month. You probably also heard what a RAGING success it was. The feedback we got was overwhelmingly fabulous if i do say so myself.

What you don’t know is that we’ve got a few surprises lined up for the Ottawa workshop. Last time it was the opportunity to chat with Giller Prize winner Joseph Boyden who spoke to the group from his home in New Orleans. This time…? Well, you’ll have to be there to find out.

Don’t miss out! There’s no telling when or if we’ll be bringing the workshop back to Ottawa and registration is limited so register today or it may be too late!

See you there!

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized Advice for Writers, Getting Published, Kateri, Tips, Workshop

Kegedonce Writers are on hot hot HOT this spring! Check it out:

Emerging Anishnaabe writer and Kegedonce alumni Lesley Belleau will  be reading from her awesome work of fiction The Colour of Dried Bones

Then on March 26 and 27, 2009, Kegedonce Writers Gregory Scofield (a new addition to the Kegedonce family!) and Marilyn Dumont will be featured guest writers at the I’Poyi Aboriginal Writers Gathering hosted by the English Department of the University of Calgary in partnership with the First Nations Students Association.

The I’Poyi Aboriginal Writers Conference will bring together a number of Aboriginal writers and storytellers from across the country, to celebrate their work throughh public readings and performances. The conference will also include panel discussions.

Celebratory public readings will be held on Thursday evening at the Glenbow Museum and Friday evening at the Nickle Arts at the University of Campus. Published works of the participating authors as well as other Aboriginal Writers will be available for purchase at all events.  Support Aboriginal writing and publishing! Buy KEGEDONCE PRESS BOOKS! They’re beautiful, inspiring,  low calorie and have 20x the fibre of ordinary books.  Okay, well, maybe not that last part. But they ARE beautiful and inspiring!

All events will be free and open to the public. Here’s the agenda:

THURSDAY
9:00 AM OPENING GREETINGS (MacEwan Student Centre Bianca Room)
10:00 AM PANEL DISCUSSION - “EVALUATING THE PRESENT SITUATION”
12:00 PM FNSA AUTHOR READING
2:00 PM AUTHOR READING
7:00 PM GLENBOW MUSEUM READING

FRIDAY
12:30 PM BOOK LAUNCH - JOAN CRATE “SUBURBAN LEGENDS”
2:00 PM PANEL DISCUSSION - “PRODUCITVE TENSIONS WITHIN ABORIGINAL WRITING”
7:00 PM NICKLE ARTS MUSEUM READING

This EVENT and ALL Events at Aboriginal Awareness Week University of Calgary are FREE!!!

No Registration is required! Just an appreciation of Aboriginal Literature!

And in case you missed it (poor you if you did!), the Kegedonce family was out in force last week. Richard Van Camp, Marilyn Dumont and Daniel Heath Justice rocked the Indigenous writers symposium at UofT. You also would’ve seen me there supporting the Kegedonce fam ’cause that’s how i roll!

Kegedonce Press: where all the COOL writers hang out!

Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm Uncategorized