FEATURING NEW WORKS FREE FROM ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN, #76 | Spring/Summer 2020 prairiebooksnow.ca AND MANITOBA

you’ll also find: Untangling public-private partnerships reveals ideological bias inside Crime, bombast, and falsehoods New books by come together in new novel Un roman jeunesse où jeux vidéo randy doreen et communauté se mêlent / Young lundy vanderstoop Traveller turned poet builds a home, adult novel blends video games with keeps moving community One-act play builds on life experience And more online exclusives on our in transitioning new website, prairiebooksnow.ca! Couple’s storybook series written for own children come to life Publications Mail Agreement Number 40023290 20 years later Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Association of Manitoba Book Publishers COURTNEY BARR COURTNEY 404–100 Arthur Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1H3 NEW FROM FERNWOOD PUBLISHING

Challenging the Right, Augmenting the Left: NOlympians: Recasting Leftist Imagination Inside the Fight Against Capitlist Mega-Sports edited by Robert Latham, Julian von Bargen, in Los Angeles, Tokyo, & Beyond A.T. Kingsmith, Niko Block by Jules Boykoff July 2020

Ideology Over Economics: The Socialist Challenge Today: P3s in an Age of Austerity Syriza, Corbyn, Sanders by John Loxley by Leo Panitch & Sam Gindin July 2020 with Stephen Maher www.fernwoodpublishing.ca 76spring/ summer 2020

On the cover: Artwork by Sheldon Dawson from Louis Riel Day (page 17). Sheldon’s culturally sensitive illustrations help teach positive, healthy, and traditional lifestyles and provide Indigenous students with classroom materials that honour their own identity and culture.

DRAMA 14 Dragonfly

FIRST NATIONS, 12POETRY MÉTIS, AND INUIT Fields of Light 18 Siha Tooskin Knows Series and Stone PUBLISHER FEATURE 11 The Lost Cafeteria by Joel Robert Ferguson 34 Radiant Press Committing to writing meant committing to a place – and then leaving it: Joel Robert Ferguson’s winding road to Three-year-old Regina press aims to increase their genres, writing involved accepting imperfection publish more books in a year: Team came together from different paths, took over backlist from Hagios Press 12 Fields of Light and Stone by Angeline Schellenberg FICTION Poet reflects on her grandparents’ lives through poetry and collected letters, artifacts: Angeline Schellenberg 5 Watershed by Doreen Vanderstoop explores how famine, war, loss shaped her loved ones Dystopian tale takes on climate change, but is primarily about family: Doreen Vanderstoop believes that ultimately, DRAMA ‘our resilience will save us’ 14 Dragonfly by Lara Rae 6 The Goliath Run by Brad Smith One-act play is based on Lara Rae’s life and transition, with some details changed: ‘We were more interested in Crime novel explores ‘how style and bombast trumps things being true as opposed to factual’ substance and truth’: Brad Smith treads carefully around sensitive subject of school shootings FEATURE: FIRST NATIONS, METIS, AND INUIT 7 Here the Dark by David Bergen 16 Field Notes for the Self by Randy Lundy Stories of doubt, faith, grace, and the grey areas in Fourth poetry collection honours intense suffering and between: David Bergen’s short story collection is hard- immeasurable beauty: Randy Lundy reassures readers that hitting and haunting despite darker moments, now he is okay 8 Hunger Moon by Traci Skuce 17 Louis Riel Day: The Fur Trade Project by Deborah Short story collection revolves around loss and wanting: Delaronde, illustrated by Sheldon Dawson Traci Skuce explains how she gravitates toward ‘under- Relationship between boy and his grandfather frames acknowledged’ emotions celebration of Metis history: ‘Hands-on’ collaboration between author, publisher, illustrator yields a story that POETRY needs to be told 10 The World Is Mostly Sky by Sarah Ens Debut poetry collection considers transitions under the Prairie sky: Sarah Ens aims to show ‘female friendships and Prairie places in a truthful way’

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 3 YOUNG ADULT 37 Dragon Assassin 27NON-FICTION Flat Out Delicious 40 EN FRANÇAIS Junk City

18 Siha Tooskin Knows Series by Charlene Bearhead 27 Flat Out Delicious: Your Definitive Guide to and Wilson Bearhead, illustrated by Chloe Saskatchewan’s Food Artisans by Jenn Sharp, Bluebird Mustooch photographs by Richard Marjan Books originally written for their own children come to life Lovely, luscious, and local Saskatchewan eats compiled more than 20 years later: Charlene and Wilson Bearhead in one handy book: Jenn Sharp’s tastebuds led the way saw the need for more Indigenous representation in for this collection of 167 food artisans. children’s books YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN 20 In Good Relation: History, Gender, and Kinship in 36 You Don’t Have to Die in the End by Anita Daher Indigenous Feminisms edited by Sarah Nickel and Amanda Fehr An imagined program for young offenders to work with horses comes to life in teen novel: Anita Daher’s character Editors build broad collection with ‘multiplicity of Eugenia learns how to face, acknowledge, move through expression around Indigenous feminisms’: Five-year tough feelings process leads to an anthology for those familiar and those new to these concepts 37 Dragon Assassin by Arthur Slade 21 First Nations Self-Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self- ‘What could be more exciting than an assasin riding a Determination, and One Chief’s Thoughts on Solutions dragon?’ Slade asks in new fantasy tale: Middle-grade novel by Leroy Wolf Collar mixes humour, dark turns, with the trial of learning who to trust Leroy Wolf Collar wants to move government from a model of dystopia to utopia: Former Chief shares his 38 World’s Worst Parrot by Alice Kuipers experience in hopes of changing mindset of Indigenous, Teen’s relationship to social media changes when a big non-Indigenous readers alike chatty bird enters her life: Alice Kuipers’s parrot research laid the groundwork for middle-grade story NON-FICTION 24 MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk by Allan Kehler EN FRANÇAIS Kehler brings voices of 16 men together to create a new 40 Junk City par David Baudemont definition of strength: ‘Put a voice to my pain, and be free Quand le virtuel rencontre le réel – Junk City, le côté from it’: author leads by example in sharing struggles communauté essentiel d’un jeu vidéo / When virtual 25 Ideology Over Economics: P3’s in an Age of Austerity meets reality – Junk City, the community benefits from by John Loxley a video game Untangling the promised benefits of public-private 42 Le Chat Janus et Isalou par Lyne Gareau partnerships: John Loxley examines how neoliberal Janus, un chat à deux visages et de nouvelles perspectives : austerity measures move money through ‘ideological bias’ « Tout est dans la façon dont on observe les choses », 26 The Art of Communication in a Polarized World indique Lyne Gareau de cette créature d'inspiration by Kyle Conway romaine / Short story collection’s titular tale invokes two-faced cat and new perspectives: ‘It’s all in the way you Communication strategies for classroom, students, look at things,’ Lyne Gareau says of the Roman-inspired and scholars are easily adaptable: Kyle Conway asks creature for a return to curiosity, playfulness, and ethics, rather than competition DISPATCHES 45 Insights from an Indigenous Educator by Greg Pruden

4 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 fiction

Dystopian tale takes on climate change, but is primarily about family Doreen Vanderstoop believes that ultimately, ‘our resilience will save us’

by Margaret Anne Fehr

WATERSHED hopes that the novel will Doreen Vanderstoop be of interest to a wide Freehand Books readership, including $22.95 pb, 360 pages cli-fi aficionados and ISBN: 978-1-988298-59-7 environmentalists, as well as readers of thrillers and family sagas. atershed has been a work in progress for over “Watershed is chiefly a 10 years, says Calgary-based author Doreen book about family, but it W would be very gratifying Vanderstoop. if this story helped build “After working on the novel on and off for a few years, some urgency into people’s I read about Margaret Atwood’s comments at a high discussions around climate school literary festival. She reminded everyone of the change. I loved connecting warnings issued by Al Gore and Stephen Harper’s refusal with my own Dutch roots to sign the Helsinki agreement to limit carbon output. (I immigrated with my family from the Netherlands in Atwood asked, ‘Where are all the Canadian writers who 1968), so if others were sparked to connect with their own should be addressing the greatest crisis of our age?’ Her cultural heritage, that would be awesome too.” comment was the clarion call I needed to take Vanderstoop acknowledges that the novel up Watershed in earnest,” explains Vanderstoop. presents a fairly grim vision of a not-too-distant The novel is set in a dystopian future in future. the year 2058 in Alberta where water has “Unfortunately, many aspects in Watershed replaced oil as the most vital global commodity. are based in reasonable probability. I am hoping Vanderstoop describes a farming environment my accelerated timing is off, but there’s even no that has been severely affected as glaciers melt guarantee of that. This is serious stuff. However, and the Bow and Elbow rivers have run dry. I am a novelist, not a scientist, and so I don’t “The story concept was motivated by my pretend to know when the glaciers will be gone

lifelong sympathy for farmers,” she says. BARR COURTNEY or when our thirst for oil will run its course.” “Perhaps that sounds unusual since I’ve lived in Doreen Vanderstoop Watershed is not a political or scientific cities all my life, but I remember even as a child, treatise. “Ultimately, this is a novel about listening to weather reports in the spring and hoping family, the conflicting ambitions between a mother and there would be just enough rain and sun for our Alberta her son, who goes to work for the pipeline corporation farmers to successfully grow their crops.” instead of returning to help the family business, and the Vanderstoop shares that the principal character, Willa strain cataclysmic climate change could place on family Van Bruggen, a tall, strong-willed Dutch woman, came dynamics,” says Vanderstoop. to her almost fully formed, but she relied on “extensive “I believe the greatest source of hope in any crisis is our research from other writers to help me formulate the ability to make difficult decisions, listen openly to each climate change scenario that forms the backdrop of the other’s truth, and adapt courageously to change. In short, story.” our resilience will save us.” Climate change is a hot topic, and Vanderstoop’s publisher has been getting requests from librarians for advance reading copies of the book. Vanderstoop

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 5 fiction

Crime novel explores ‘how style and bombast trumps substance and truth’ Brad Smith treads carefully around sensitive subject of school shootings by Ian Goodwillie

THE GOLIATH RUN that should be swept beneath “It’s political in Brad Smith the rug just because it’s such At Bay Press an uncomfortable subject.” the sense that $28.95 hc, 328 pages The story is somewhat it addresses ISBN: 978-1-988168-21-0 political in nature, as well, due in no small part to Sam how style and Jackson using his newfound bombast trumps rying to build a fictitious story out of something popularity to run for public horrible that happens all too often in real life can office. Smith says, “It’s substance and T political in the sense that truth in the be challenging at best. Similar to Douglas Coupland’s it addresses how style and 2003 novel, Hey Nostradamus!, the inciting incident bombast trumps substance modern world. in Brad Smith’s The Goliath Run is a fictional school and truth in the modern world. People get their shooting. But when Coupland wrote his book, school People get their news from shootings were a much less frequent occurrence than sound bites and tweets.” news from sound But is Jackson based on they are these days. any specific politician or bites and tweets.” In The Goliath Run, a very infotainment journalist? Not BRAD SMITH

“Smith has written tight, fast-paced novels his “Brad Smith has got the goods — he’s funny, poignant, disturbed$28.95 man with a gun kills 22 really, says Smith, who lives in entire career.” evocative, and he tells a blistering tale.” — The Chronicle Herald — Dennis Lehane children,When a deranged loner kills twenty-six two teachers, and himself southern Ontario. “Rivals Elmore Leonard at his best.” people in a Pennsylvania schoolyard, — Publishers Weekly the country is stunned and devastated. inAmong a those Pennsylvaniacatatonic with grief is Jo schoolyard. A “People assume he’s based on a certain president, but in fact Matheson, an organic farmer who has “Smith has great reserves of tenderness.” lost her goddaughter in the shooting. Internationally acclaimed novelist and — The New York Times Book Review right-wingSam Jackson, an egotistical right-wing TV host named Sam he’s more of a composite of several talking heads from right- screenwriter Brad Smith is the author TV talking head, has sliding ratings and of twelve novels, including The Return “Smith has marvelous control of his material.” Of Kid Cooper, winner of the 2019 Spur faces imminent cancellation. He arrives Award from the Western Writers of — Booklist in Pennsylvania and during a rant, he

B Jackson seizes the moment to wing TV – ‘celebrities’ who use their soapbox (and lies) to America; One-Eyed Jacks, shortlisted blames the parents of the dead children. for the Dashiell Hammett Award, and R He intends the tirade to be his last salvo but, incredibly, his ratings climb, while

All Hat, which has been adapted to a A feature film. resuscitateJo watches from her farmhouse inhis dying ratings and sway public opinion … and line their own pockets.” D upstate New York, incensed. Smith’s writing draws on his wellspring S of experiences working across Canada, novel Sam rides the wave, shouting that it’s

M e im buildtime to take the countrya backpolitical from the career out of it. He also describes Jackson as “an empty shell – vain, the U.S.A., and Africa at a variety cr left-wing weaklings who don’t have of jobs—including railway signalman, I a carpenter, bartender, truck driver, T the courage to protect their children. When he is asked to run for Congress, ditch digger, school teacher, farmer, H Jackson gains from the incredible insecure, cruel, a man who cares only for himself.” There’s maintenance electrician and roofer. He he accepts and amplifies his message. now lives in a 90-year-old farmhouse in Watching these developments in horror, southern Ontario. Jo finally decides that there actually is loss.something she canJo do. Matheson isn’t as lucky. not a lot of chance for redemption for him, though there is

She kidnaps Sam’s ten-year-old Jacket illustrations by M. C. Joudrey. Jacket design by M. C. Joudrey and Matthew Stevens. AT B AY daughter. press Jo loses her eight-year-old possibly more opportunity for Jo. Author photograph by Lorraine Sommerfeld. At At Bay Press Bay Unapologetically Canadian B R A D S M I T H atbaypress.com FICTION Press goddaughter in the shooting. At the root of The Goliath Run is the idea that “spreading Infuriated by watching Jackson falsehoods is a big business these days,” as Smith puts it. blame the parents for their kids’ This is especially true when you talk about school shootings, deaths and profit from it, Jo retaliates, committing her own which are “rampant and getting more frequent every day.” serious crime, which may just make things much worse. But there is hope in the conversation. When asked why he chose a school shooting, Smith said, For Smith, this inciting incident was important, as he “I needed something big to justify Jo’s actions. And there’s believes open discussion is the key to healing wounds no bigger issue than school shootings, particularly given the and building bridges that will assist in preventing real-life reluctance of certain legislators to address gun control.” shootings from happening again. But Smith also had to be careful with such a sensitive topic. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” he says. “I had to tread lightly around the actual shooting, as it was painful even to write about. I didn’t want to sensationalize it for the sake of writing a book. However, it’s not something

6 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 fiction Stories of doubt, faith, grace, and the grey areas in between David Bergen’s short story collection is hard-hitting and haunting by Margaret Goldik

HERE THE DARK needed lesson by getting lost. And David Bergen “How Can n Men Share a Bottle “Two different worlds Biblioasis (biblioasis.com) of Vodka?” leaves the reader both collide, and the $22.95 pb, 224 pages hopeful and fearful of the path the ISBN: 978-1-77196-321-3 protagonist has chosen. world of money Available as an ebook The other stories are equally has no purchase ambiguous, with a large sense of moral quandary. There is also a when pitted against lingering sense for the reader of innipeg-based David Bergen’s nature.” DAVID BERGEN Here the Dark is a collection wondering what happens next. W “The great thing (and the most of short stories and a novella, difficult thing) about a short story and the voice was purely Lily’s and breathtaking and stop-you-in-your- is the limitations placed on it,” says the narrator was no longer interfering tracks good. The settings range from Bergen. “There is only so much in the story. the Prairies, to Honduras, to Vietnam, space. A story dictates its ending and “After my editing, the ending to but the themes are a bit more fixed its form.” the novella became more uncertain He notes that Nabokov said of and open-ended, and this made – good and evil, doubt and faith, and “Lady with a Lapdog” that Chekhov sense, given that Lily has been raised the grey areas in between. enters the story “without knocking.” in a community where certainty is In “Man Lost,” a fisherman had “This is crucial for a short story,” everything, and there is no room for the means, motive, and opportunity says Bergen. “Enter without knocking, doubt or questions. Does she still to murder a threatening don’t stay too long, and leave, does she stay?” American client, but did let the reader work out In the collection, there is more not do so. the complexities of what than one story that mentions choice, “This character was might happen after the specifically not having learned how based on a fishing guide story is done.” to choose. “Education is huge. Doubt I met in Roatan. He The novella, “Here comes from duo, and if suddenly you was laconic, taciturn, the Dark,” tells of a have two options, then all certainty is and seemed very young woman who gone,” says Bergen. comfortable with rejects the rules of her “Do we have to learn how to himself. I imagined that closed community. It choose? I think we are always a lifetime of fishing and was originally supposed working this out. In our relationships, waiting and patience to be a novel, but with family, children, friends – an would prepare Quinn Bergen showed it to an awareness of what we are doing and (the protagonist) very editor he trusted who why we are doing it is a sign of a well for a man like said that it didn’t work healthy mind.” K.” Bergen says. “Two as it was. different worlds collide, “And so,” he says, “I and the world of money has no let it sit, and then came back to it, purchase when pitted against nature.” and I chopped off the 100 pages at The character in the opening story, the end. This seemed to work better, “April in Snow Lake,” learns a much in that the tone was now consistent

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 7 fiction

Short story collection revolves around loss and wanting Traci Skuce explains how she gravitates toward ‘under-acknowledged’ emotions by Laura Kupcis

HUNGER MOON believed in staying upbeat, and that never felt real for me. I Traci Skuce suppose some of these stories are a response to that.” NeWest Press As a new mother herself, she says she felt conflicted – as $19.95 pb, 184 pages do the new mothers in her short stories. She loved her son ISBN: 978-1-988732-80-0 deeply, but at the same time felt burnt out and frustrated that Available as an ebook she was not able to pursue her life in the way she had always imagined. “That interests me a lot in characters, the life they want, ritish Columbia–based Traci Skuce’s debut or believe they should have, and the one they actually get. collection of short stories, Hunger Moon, portrays And then the kind of spiritual crisis that’s born out of that,” B Skuce says. a variety of characters who are spiritually hungry While the short stories were written while Skuce was and wanting more from their lives, though often completing her MFA program, or shortly thereafter, a unsure of what. number of the characters have been around for The author is a self-professed “sucker for the moon,” for decades, waiting for Skuce how elemental and basic it is to our earthly experience. to determine their fate. The full moon of February – known as the hunger moon – “The inspiration came occurs when pantries are traditionally bare, vagrants rob the from all sorts of places: henhouse, and everyone is just a little hungry all the time. It’s my experiences as a young a fitting symbol for this collection mother, images, voices,” full of longing, missed steps, and Skuce says. “I doggedly unrealized dreams. followed those ideas in my In these 13 well-crafted stories, writing practice until they readers will meet a bullied girl coalesced and formed full- whose young sister is her only fledged narratives.” protector, two backpackers who The stories have elements have hiked off the beaten path of Skuce’s “real life” in under the hot sun completely them – her thoughts, beliefs, unequipped, a youth on the cusp memories, certain incidents of manhood, a teenager desperate – but they are entirely fiction. for the attention of her school In “Intruder,” the main event came from the news, though crush sending her deepest desires she built the world around it. A snake and house inspired Traci Skuce into a mystical pink bubble, and a “Bliss and a Boy I Once Loved,” but the relationships are few exhausted mothers. entirely fiction. Skuce didn’t intentionally choose an overarching theme for “When you’re writing fiction,” Skuce says, “you let go of her collection; it is either something she gravitates toward or what happened in real life and stay true to the story, to the it gravitates toward her, she explains. characters on the page, who are definitely not me.” “Loss interests me because life is inherently filled with loss, and it’s so under-acknowledged in our culture,” she says. “In my family, growing up, I always felt loss acutely, whether in friendships or leaving a place or whatever. And my father couldn’t abide it. His motto was ‘Seize the day!’ and he

8 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 disabilities by involving herself in the TV personality, a bookmaker who more fiction lives of her tenants, building a community specializes in racing dachshunds, and a short fiction – until all their lives are upended by a kinky painter with a special technique. tornado. (NeWest Press, $18.95 pb, 272 pages, The End of Me (Dundurn, $20.99 pb, 320 pages, ISBN: 978-1-988732-86-2) John Gould ISBN: 978-1-4597-4624-4) These 56 very short stories explore Sorry I Missed You the experience of mortality, catching The Crash Palace Suzy Krause characters – young, old, and those at Andrew Wedderburn In this quirky novel, three women move the peak of their lives – at moments of Audrey Lane has always loved to drive, into a converted rental house, strangers illumination and insight. A marooned and has found jobs to feed that love. At with only one thing in common – each astronaut, kids pelting a funeral one time, she drove around the Lever Men, has been “ghosted” by a loved one. When procession with plums, a young man with a B-list band that played dive bars and a letter arrives in their mailbox, each testicular cancer planning for his last places like the Crash Palace, an isolated assumes it was meant for her, and they surge of energy – these fresh voices reveal lodge. One night, Audrey can’t resist that stake out a coffee shop named in the letter, compassion and vitality. urge to drive and finds herself in a stolen bonding with each other as they do. (Freehand Books, $22.95 pb, 192 pages, car on the way to the now abandoned (Lake Union Publishing, $21.95 pb, 316 ISBN: 978-1-988298-56-6) lodge to confront her past. pages, ISBN: 978-1-5420-1020-7, available (Coach House Press, $22.95 pb, 208 pages, as audiobook) Grieving for Pigeons: Twelve ISBN: 978-1-55245-405-3, available as ebook) Stories of Lahore Speechless Zubair Ahmad, translated by Anne Murphy The Haweaters Anne Simpson This poignant and meditative collection Vanessa Farnsworth This novel of the power and responsibility of stories captures the lives of the people This novel is based on the real-life double of words tells the story of A’isha Nasir, of the Punjab, evoking the complex post- murder of Charles and William Bryan a Nigerian teenager sentenced to death colonial realities of this region divided by two members of the Amer family on by stoning for adultery under shariah between India and Pakistan. The narrator Manitoulin Island in 1877 – a murder that law, and of Sophie MacNeil, a Canadian examines his memories and how the past pitted a wealthy landowner against his journalist making her start in Nigeria, lingers in the present, recalling different impoverished neighbour. eager to champion A’isha. eras of Lahore’s neighbourhoods. (Signature Editions, $18.95 pb, 208 pages, (Freehand Books, $22.95 pb, 352 pages, (Athabasca University Press, $22.99 pb, ISBN: 978-1-773240-69-5, available as ebook) ISBN: 978-1-988298-62-7) 128 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77199-281-7, available as ebook) In Veritas Where the Waters Meet novels C. J. Lavigne Stéphanie Boulay, translated from Verity, with her synesthesia, feels the city French by Ghislaine LeFranc And We Shall Have Snow, a differently. She discovers The Between, This folkloric novel tells of a young girl Roxanne Calloway Mystery led there by a magician and his shadow being raised by Titi in the woods outside Raye Anderson dog-snake, to find a whole community the village. Hélène leads a simple life of The villagers of Cullen, in Manitoba’s of people who cannot live in the regular poetry at school, chores at home, and Interlake area, are shocked when world, people like an angel named Colin visits with Élène, the witch/healer, their local music star Stella Magnusson’s and a knife-edged woman named Jihan. only companion, until a boy, Mané, starts dismembered body is found at the local This fantastical debut explores the coming by the dock. dump during the coldest part of winter. nature of truth and the complexity of (Enfield & Wizenty-Great Plains, $21.95 pb, The local book club women are buzzing, communication. 112 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77337-034-7) and Corporal Roxanne Calloway is in town (NeWest Press, $21.95 pb, 352 pages, to head up the investigation – but the ISBN: 978-1-988732-83-1, available as ebook) murders continue. (Signature Editions, $17.95 pb, 256 pages, Rolling Thunder ISBN: 978-1-773240-66-4, available as ebook) A. J. Devlin In this follow-up to Cobra Clutch, former The Complex Arms pro wrestler “Hammerhead” Jed Ounstead, Dolly Dennis now a certified private investigator, Adeen, the resident manager of an investigates a missing person case in the apartment block in Edmonton, copes with world of women’s flat-track roller derby, a deadbeat husband and a daughter with along the way encountering a late-night

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 9 poetry

Debut poetry collection considers transitions under the Prairie sky Sarah Ens aims to show ‘female friendships and Prairie places in a truthful way’ by melanie brannagan frederiksen

THE WORLD IS MOSTLY SKY the dangerous as opposed to the Sarah Ens vulnerable. The poem suggests Turnstone Press that the movement from childhood $17.00 pb, 128 pages to adulthood is about learning to ISBN: 978-0-88801-705-5 renegotiate what you hold onto as

REBECCA MONTGOMERY certain or eternal.” Sarah Ens Many of the poems in The World arah Ens’s first collection of transitions,” she says, “because Is Mostly Sky treat the losses and poetry, The World Is Mostly Sky, they’re periods of learning and heartbreak involved in coming of S becoming but also great loss. age in tandem with environmental is a closely observed exploration “Maybe The World Is Mostly Sky degradation and the collapse of of her rural Prairie roots, as well is a way to mourn and celebrate old ecosystems. as the landscape’s – and the sky’s – shapes, the selves shed.” “I think when you develop a close changing physical and emotional These moments of transition are all relationship with a place, a non- resonances. the more powerful when she draws human place, the death of a robin, on her community, especially her the disappearance of a butterfly “I think that the sky above the celebration of her siblings and female species, the destruction of tall Prairie town where I grew up – friendships. grass prairie ecosystems due to the Landmark, Manitoba – defined “I’m also really interested in the construction of condominiums – how I understood myself and my importance of community during these losses, these catastrophes, are life, both in an expansive, dreamy, life transitions. The exploring/angst- not at all disparate from personal endless-possibility kind of way and ing/longing my friends and I did at heartbreak,” says Ens, who is in a sort of remember-your-own- 14 was a communal kind of shape- currently doing graduate work at insignificance kind of shifting. We tried not the University of Saskatchewan in way,” Ens says. to leave each other Saskatoon. “I was raised within behind and developed Ens’s artistic project draws the Mennonite faith deeply shared identities. attention to vital stories that are and understood God I do think there’s often overlooked and underestimated. as the infinite sky something sacred “I think many people still moving over wide- about that temporary underestimate Prairie stories and open fields and adolescent shared Prairie landscapes. Society also tends farmland. A sky so big space,” Ens says. to underestimate girls and young it must be heaven. A Coming of age and women,” she says. sky that surveils you.” the celebration of “It would be exciting for me if The sky’s defining community necessitate people read The World Is Mostly expansiveness and re-evaluation of Sky and felt that I had articulated permanence are previously accepted female friendships and Prairie places balanced by the truths. The poem in a truthful way – that it’s clear how energy Ens infuses “Os Justi,” Ens vital I believe, as a person and into her exploration says, considers “the artist, those relationships and spaces of in-between times, like the cusp instant when a place you believed to be.” between childhood and adolescence. to be safe and secure reveals itself “I’m drawn to writing about to be dangerous, or to harbour

10 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 poetry

Committing to writing meant committing to a place – and then leaving it Joel Robert Ferguson’s winding road to writing involved accepting imperfection by Ariel Gordon

THE LOST CAFETERIA “I spent my 20s reading non-stop, Joel Robert Ferguson but also there was this feeling that Signature Editions it was something that I myself could $17.95 pb, 96 pages never write,” Ferguson says. “I ISBN: 978-1-773240-64-0 worked a lot of seasonal or dead-end jobs around the country, which was alright for a while, but by the time oel Robert Ferguson took a I was staring down 30 had become stultifying. somewhat circuitous route Joel Robert Ferguson J “Writing poetry became a sort of to publishing his debut poetry escape hatch, both in an immediate, of Seamus Heaney, George Oppen, collection, The Lost Cafeteria. day-to-day sense, but also in terms of and Roberto Bolaño. Ferguson was raised in a finding a sense of self-worth, proving “I think that for many millennials conservative Christian home in to myself I wasn’t just this schlubby there’s a real struggle in how we rural Nova Scotia but spent his guy pushing a mop (after all, nobody perceive ourselves…, with the post- 20s enmeshed in what he calls the who works in a socially belittled or war markers of adulthood (career, “anarcho-punk/traveller milieu.” maligned job is just that job or role).” home ownership, etc.) no longer That meant roaming from Committing to poetry meant being hegemonic, of being stuck Whitehorse to Guelph, a committing to a in limbo between childhood and from Halifax to the daily writing practice, adulthood, expectation and reality,” southern Okanagan, trying new forms says Ferguson. hitchhiking and train- and subjects, and Ironically, his commitment to a hopping, and living in becoming a part of the place and a vocation led to Ferguson shared housing and writing and publishing leaving Winnipeg, for a creative punk houses. community. writing master’s degree at Concordia “Travelling definitely “For me, getting University. His thesis ended up being was a type of home serious about poetry the collection of lyric poetry that is for much of my 20s,” meant editing, editing, now The Lost Cafeteria. Ferguson says. “It felt and more editing, and “I’m hoping that this book will be fantastic to have my working to get over the enjoyed by people who are already life and belongings feeling that, though I big readers of poetry, but also those condensed down to the loved reading poetry, it who might have some biases against rucksack on my back was something that I the genre on the basis of it being seen and a sturdy pair of couldn’t do, or rather as inaccessible,” says Ferguson. shoes; it felt as though that I didn’t have “My hope is that the work here can I was existing in the world with much anything worth saying,” Ferguson be sometimes challenging but never fewer illusions about my place within says. “It was a matter of accepting antagonistic to that sort of reader; it and the precarity and preciousness that maybe I would never write the though, don’t get me wrong, I love of being alive and healthy.” perfect poem (whatever that may be), me some dense, theoretical poetry After nearly a decade of this life, but to always be trying to improve.” as well!” Ferguson found himself committing What emerged was what Ferguson to living in Winnipeg, to writing describes as “millennial coming-of- poetry. age” poetry, influenced by the work

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 11 poetry

Poet reflects on her grandparents’ lives through poetry and collected letters, artifacts Angeline Schellenberg explores how famine, war, loss shaped her loved ones by Kyla Neufeld

FIELDS OF LIGHT AND STONE I wanted to reflect on how their Angeline Schellenberg lives and deaths shaped me,” says University of Alberta Press Schellenberg. $19.99 pb, 104 pages Going through her grandparents’ ISBN: 978-1-77212-511-5 old materials was a precious Available as an ebook experience, especially when it came to reading their love letters. “They sounded like themselves – Grandpa, aith, love, death, displacement – these are the eloquent and proper; Grandma, ANTHONY MARK PHOTOGRAPHY MARK ANTHONY themes Angeline Schellenberg tackles in her new playful and considerate – but both F more affectionate than they ever Angeline Schellenberg collection of poetry, Fields of Light and Stone. were in public,” she says. These poems tell the stories of her grandparents – Abe These love letters are interspersed throughout the and Margaret, and Bernhard and Elsa – with whom collection to create an “Aha, this again!” experience for Schellenberg was especially close as a child. readers, but they have also been rearranged so that they “I grew up next door to my dad’s parents; Oma and don’t respond to the same things they did in the originals. Opa helped raise me. When everyone else was busy “When Margaret talks about her father seeking Abe’s working on the farm, my release, she meant from CO [conscientious objector] arthritic Oma could be found service, but by placing this in the context of Abe’s in her chair, ready to tell a words about never wanting to let her go, ‘release’ takes story to the girl crying over a on a broader meaning. I did this both to play up their malicious clarinet or bicycle. character and to protect their privacy.” And I was my Opa’s ‘Rosebud’; For Schellenberg, the loss of her grandparents was he made me feel precious,” monumental. “When I was 24, [Grandpa’s] death was my says Schellenberg, who now first experience of personal loss. Other people wondered lives in Winnipeg. at my level of grief and, for the first time, I realized that “On my mom’s side, we not everyone is as connected with their grandparents as I made the three-hour drive was,” she says. to my grandparents often. “For the last decade of her life, Grandma moved nearby Grandpa was a preacher, who and became like a second mother. When she died in 2009, (unlike some of my Sunday it felt like the last of four support beams was knocked out school teachers) enjoyed my from under me.” theological interrogations.” At its core, Schellenberg’s collection is a love letter It was because of this close to these four people whose lives were so completely connection that Schellenberg wanted to explore and intertwined with hers. write about her grandparents’ lives. She used a variety of “In a hospital bed,” she says, “there’s nothing to do but sources: old pocket calendars, sermon notes, memoirs, what was essential all along: to be present to one another. and funeral tapes. I didn’t ever want to forget those moments.” “I wanted to imagine how my grandparents’ early experiences – famine, war, loss, abuse, displacement – shaped them into the unbreakable characters I knew, and then how those last holy and agonizing weeks softened them into something more transparent. And, in turn,

12 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 justice poetic narratives, spoken word The Negation of Chronology: more poetry pieces, and traditional poetic forms such as Imagining Geraldine Moodie villanelles, haiku, and sonnets. Rebecca Luce-Kapler Birding in the Glass Age of Isolation (University of Alberta Press, $19.99 pb, These poems trace the life of Geraldine Curtis LeBlanc 120 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-510-8, available Moodie, granddaughter of Susanna These poems explore memories, as ebook) Moodie and the first woman to own experiences, symptoms, and relationships photography studios on the Prairies. Using through the lens of mental illness, Lullabies in the Real World Moodie’s photographs and biographical specifically OCD and hallucinogen Meredith Quartermain details from letters, newspapers, and persisting perception disorder, in images This sequence of poems about a train family interviews, Luce-Kapler imagines of fire and ice, flight and falling, physical journey from West Coast to East Coast how Moodie came to own three studios, labour and mortality, destruction and is both playful and confrontational, raise six children, and follow her husband creation. as the poet enters into dialogue with across the Prairies, all while creating (Nightwood Editions, $18.95 pb, 96 pages, other poets such as bpNichol and Robin her art. ISBN: 978-0-88971-368-0) Blaser, challenges canonical literature (Inanna Publications, $18.95 pb, 100 pages, by parodying such figures as Homer ISBN: 978-1-77133-769-4) Endlings and Shakespeare, and recontextualizes Joanna Lilley events in colonial history and their The Response of Weeds: A Misplacement These lyrical and melancholic poems representations in art and literature. of Black Poetry on the Prairies tell the stories of “endlings,” the last (NeWest Press, $18.95 pb, 104 pages, Bertrand Bickersteth individuals of a species, sometimes in ISBN: 978-1-988732-78-7) These poems grapple with, as the poet their voices, sometimes in the words of says, “history, race, place, and words official reports, and sometimes from the Lunatic Engine themselves.” Bickersteth sings the blues, perspective of those who loved them Paul Pearson names the rivers, looks at the fields in all and those who killed them, exposing the Joining in a dialogue about science and their flatness, and replants cultural icons brutality of Nature and the devastation of religion that Galileo and his daughter, Suor such as Clark Kent, Christopher Columbus, human ignorance, carelessness, and intent. Marie Celeste, took part in, these poems Louis Armstrong, Ralph Ellison, and Hattie (Turnstone Press, $17.00 pb, 166 pages, respond to the life of the “first modern McDaniel on the Prairies. ISBN: 978-0-88801-689-8) man” and his illegitimate daughter, who (NeWest Press, $18.95 pb, 88 pages, were both confined and limited by the ISBN: 978-1-988732-79-4) Ghosts Still Linger Church, and ask the big questions about Kat Cameron what we value, what we strive for, and Tablet Fragments These poems explore the past and what he will tell his own children about Tamar Rubin present of the Prairies with wit and irony, the nature of science, religion, and life. Rubin, in her debut collection, uses biblical juxtaposing contemporary responses (Turnstone Press, $17.00 pb, 128 pages, and medical language to explore her to grief and environmental issues with ISBN: 978-0-88801-693-5) identities: outsider and insider; Canadian stories of historical figures like Buffalo Bill and immigrant; doctor and patient; wife Cody and Annie Oakley. Cameron reflects The Manhattan Project and individual; child and would-be on her own struggles with sorrow while Ken Hunt mother. The poems explore the impact of drawing attention to the unsung women This collection traces the military, cultural, migration, the evolution of relationships, of the West. and scientific history of the development and the fragility of religious faith and (University of Alberta Press, $19.99 pb, of nuclear weapons and nuclear power scientific fact. 88 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-509-2, available through searing lyric, procedural, and (Signature Editions, $17.95 pb, 96 pages, as ebook) visual poetry, considering contemporary ISBN: 978-1-773240-65-7) life in the nuclear age broadly and deeply. I Am Still Your Negro: An 25: Hockey Poems, New and Revised Homage to James Baldwin The poems move through liminal zones Richard Harrison Valerie Mason-John between routine and disaster, life and This collection of hockey poems, including Mason-John, also known as Queenie, tells death, creation and destruction. versions of those from the 25-year-old book, truths about the impacts of slavery, racism, (University of Calgary Press, $18.99 pb, Hero of the Play, explores the complexities colonization, sexism, and homophobia, 144 pages, with illustrations, of life: relationships, rivalries, old stories, bringing wisdom and historical ISBN: 978-1-77385-054-2, available as ebook) travel connections, grief, intimacy, love, perspective to stories of entrapment, and poetry. sexual assault, addictive behaviours, and (Wolsak & Wynn, $18.00 pb, 88 pages, rave culture in this collection of social ISBN: 978-1-989496-06-0)

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 13 drama

One-act play is based on Lara Rae’s life and transition, with some details changed ‘We were more interested in things being true as opposed to factual’ by Luis Reis

DR AGONFLY Lara Rae Scirocco Drama-JGS Publishing $15.95 pb, 80 pages ISBN: 978-1-927922-59-0

n the foreword to Lara Rae’s play Dragonfly, actor Iand playwright Brian Drader describes how, as Rae’s dramaturg, his most compelling memories are “witnessing the constant ebb and flow of a storyteller wrestling with their own life’s experiences and placing them into dramatic form.” gendered. One actor is not me as a boy and the other as a girl. I wanted This one-act play of beautiful creatures, fully adult, who to write something anyone could do transformation turns Rae’s then soar,” Rae says. – be they enbee [non-binary], trans, specific journey as a transgender “This part of their lives is short- cis[gender], able, disabled, and of woman into compelling and mind- lived. I think those of us who any age or ethnicity. Also, coming expanding art. transition at the half-century mark from radio, I like things that read Lara Rae thought carefully when can relate.” well and that do not have a lot of choosing the title of her play. Originally, the play was produced stage directions.” “Dragonflies, as a one-actor play, The incidents in the play do not like butterflies, where a woman told follow a strict chronological order, are symbols of “Dragonflies, the story of someone although Rae worked with Drader transformation in socialized as male. to make them cohere. many cultures,” she like butterflies, Rae explains how she “The play comes in and out of my says, adding that and Ardith Boxall life and illuminates certain years dragonflies are the are symbols of at Theatre Projects of my life,” she says. “If something more interesting of transformation Manitoba decided to important to the story actually the two. present the story with happened a few months on the “They spend most of in many cultures.” two voices, named outside of those pages, we took their lives underwater LARA RAE They and Them, the liberty of placing that event as tiny nymphs – a removing gender from within that section. We were more very apt metaphor for being a the equation and conveying “the interested in things being true as trans kid: small and in the dark central idea that our insides do not opposed to factual.” and claustrophobic. They shed reflect our outsides in myriad ways,” Although the play is based on her their nymph skin, never fully going she says. own life – and Rae was fine with it through a juvenile ‘puberty,’ and “The one thing I am emphatic being very autobiographical when burst forth as these remarkable and about is that the lines are not it was originally produced in her

14 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 drama

home town of Winnipeg – now that Rae is very clear, however, that it is in book form, some details have the play is not meant to be taken as changed. Rae renamed the character universal. who was assigned male at birth, “Any discussion of my transition is calling him Adam. with the caveat that my experience “Now that it goes into the world,” is my own. There are as many ways she says, “I wanted the work less of being trans as there are trans anchored to me. Adam is the first people,” she says, “although my way man, and means man, so he is is, of course, the most awesome.” everyman and no man. I never get too far from the Bible.”

“Any discussion of my transition is with the caveat that my experience is my own. There are as many ways of being trans as there are trans people, although my way is, of course, the most awesome.” LARA RAE

The Runner Speed Dating for Sperm Donors more drama Christopher Morris Natalie Meisner This powerful thriller explores the psyche Helen and Paige have decided to have a Lo (or Dear Mr. Wells) of a noble man, Jacob, who, as a Z.A.K.A. baby using a sperm donor, but not just any Rose Napoli volunteer, collects the remains of Jews donor will do, since they want their child As a 15-year-old, Laura was a dream student killed in the streets of Israel, and who, one to know the father. Going through the fast- to her flailing English teacher, Alan Wells. day, decides to treat a young Palestinian paced “dating” of several candidates, none Now at 25, she has written her first novel, woman instead of the soldier she may of which is perfect, puts a strain on Helen called Dear Mr. Wells, and she wants him have killed. and Paige’s relationship. to be the first to read it. This coming-of-age (Scirocco Drama-JGS Publishing, $15.95 pb, (Playwrights Canada Press, $17.95 pb, 80 story examines a formative relationship 72 pages, ISBN: 978-1-927922-57-6) pages, ISBN: 978-0-36910-082-5 and the grey areas of consent. (Scirocco Drama-JGS Publishing, $15.95 pb, Some Blow Flutes 72 pages, ISBN: 978-1-927922-58-3) Mary Vingoe See prairiebooksnow.ca This story of Costas, an elderly Greek shoe The Orchard (After Chekhov) repairman, and his wife Elena, who suffers for more exclusive content Sarena Parmar from dementia, explores the friendship This adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry from Prairie writers and that develops between Costas and Sandra, Orchard is told through the lens of a a professional organizer. This friendship is publishers. Punjabi-Sikh family in the Okanagan complicated and past grievances brought Valley, offering a subversive look at out into the open when Sandra’s estranged ethnicity within the classical western daughter Marijke meets Elena, forcing the canon. Parmar, inspired by her childhood, characters to show compassion and seek confronts life, loss, and the Canadian redemption. immigrant experience with humour (Scirocco Drama-JGS Publishing, $15.95 pb, and beauty. 72 pages, ISBN: 978-1-927922-61-3) (Scirocco Drama-JGS Publishing, $15.95 pb, 72 pages, ISBN: 978-1-927922-60-6)

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 15 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit

Fourth poetry collection honours intense suffering and immeasurable beauty Randy Lundy reassures readers that despite darker moments, now he is okay by Ariel Gordon

FIELD NOTES human experience, and both need to FOR THE SELF be acknowledged and honoured, in Randy Lundy whatever ways each of us can do so.” University of Regina Press: Field Notes for the Self is Lundy’s Oskana Poetry & Poetics second collection with Oskana after $19.75 pb, 96 pages 2018’s Blackird Song. ISBN: 978-0-88977-691-3 In keeping with Oskana’s mandate “to speak to the deepest and most urgent issues of our time, including member of the Barren Lands environmental crisis and Indigenous (Cree) First Nation, writer justice,” Field Notes blends nature A writing, metaphysics, and Lundy’s Randy Lundy is based in Pense, Cree worldview. Saskatchewan. “I hope the book says whatever This spring, Lundy is publishing the reader needs it to,” Lundy says. his fourth collection of poetry, Field “I will add that Jan has said more Notes for the Self, with the University than once that it’s a hard book, that of Regina Press’s Oskana Poetry & particular poems are really hard, “Jan has said more than Poetics series edited by Jan Zwicky. sometimes dark. I spent many years The book marries a blue-collar struggling with mental health issues, once that it’s a hard aesthetic that would be familiar to including anxiety, depression, and book, that particular readers of Patrick addictions, so there’s some of that Lane’s work with in there. poems are really hard, the teachings of “I do want the reader to know, sometimes dark.” Chan Buddhism. however, that I am okay. Middle “I like to think age has come as a blessing, and I am RANDY LUNDY the poems are doing much better than I was for a meditative, but very long time.” While Lundy doesn’t believe in that they also, at Having written four books of rules, he has developed a set of best times, lift from poetry, the biggest thing Lundy has practices for his writing. Randy Lundy the page like a learned is humility. “Look closely, long and hard,” tree pulling up “Each time you sit down with Lundy says. “Inwardly and its roots and sprouting wings in the a blank page in front of you, you outwardly. Try to see what’s there, place of leaves, under the influence don’t know what’s coming, what the then say that. Try not to lie, try not of an overwhelming desire to take adventure will be,” Lundy says. “I to bullshit. Try not to let ego get flight and follow the birds into the think I’ve gotten more comfortable in the way, like it seems to in every distances,” says Lundy. with my own voice, with the things I other area of our lives. “The poems document, perhaps have to say and want to say, but, still, “After reading Blackbird Song, confront, suffering, but also, I hope, how one is going to get there, well, Tim Lilburn told me there was no celebrate the beauty of this world it’s like following the track of an bullshit there. Best review I’ve had! of which we are such a small part. animal, or, from another perspective, Hopefully, Field Notes measures up Both intense suffering and immense, being tracked by an animal. Maybe to that standard.” immeasurable beauty are part of the both those things simultaneously.”

16 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit Relationship between boy and his grandfather frames celebration of Métis history ‘Hands-on’ collaboration between author, publisher, illustrator yields a story that needs to be told by Laura McKay

LOUIS RIEL DAY: Winnipeg-based artist Sheldon Dawson illustrated this The Fur Trade Project book, which includes detailed depictions of scenes from Métis history. Dawson gathered details from his own Deborah L. Delaronde, illustrated by Sheldon Dawson reference library, as well as from archival photographs, Theytus Books $19.95 hc, 32 pages and even from a trip to the Manitoba Museum to look ISBN: 978-1-926886-61-9 at a replica Red River cabin. Although he has illustrated over 45 books for children, Louis Riel Day is unique. “The visual rhythm of this book is quite distinct from “ nyone who has experienced social injustice many others that I have worked on. Because this story would be drawn to those who stand up for what spans several years and a variety of locations, it doesn’t A have the sort of sequential visual action from page to page they believe. Louis Riel epitomizes this to the Métis that is common in other children’s stories,” he explains. people. It takes great courage to speak for people “Each painting ends up being more of a representation who can’t speak for themselves,” says Deborah L. of a separate event or a time period than part of a Delaronde. dynamic flow of connected images.” The story’s rhythm relies on Delaronde’s poetic text to Her new book, Louis Riel Day: The Fur Trade Project, carry the reader from page to page. is a story about a homework project, but also a book Delaronde also felt that this book was unusual, written to inspire readers and celebrate Métis history. although for her, it was more about her involvement once “This is the one book that I will always the manuscript was accepted. “I had more of be grateful that everything fell into place at a ‘hands-on’ collaboration from beginning to the right time. It is a beautifully illustrated end with both Theytus and Sheldon [than with book. It contains the message that I wanted her previous books]. I will be eternally grateful to impart to my readers about being proud that Greg Younging [former editor of Theytus of our Métis history rather than ashamed,” Books] found and read my Louis Riel Day: explains Delaronde, who lives in central The Fur Trade Project manuscript, liked it, and Manitoba. wanted to publish it,” she says. Louis Riel Day follows a young Métis boy With this year marking Manitoba’s 150th who has been assigned a homework project anniversary, this book is a well-timed about Louis Riel Day. He’s worried about reminder of the people who founded this getting it done, so he phones his grandfather Deborah L. Delaronde province. According to Dawson, “This to ask for help. important story needs to be told, especially in “I wanted to emphasize the relationship between a this anniversary year when the Métis people are still grandchild and his grandparent in this story,” says struggling to obtain the rights that were promised to Delaronde. “Due to job demands, parents and especially them 150 years ago.” single parents can’t always find time to help their children with homework. I know this because I was a single parent. And, it’s so important for grandparents to be a part of their grandchildren’s lives.”

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 17 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit

Books originally written for their own children come to life more than 20 years later Charlene and Wilson Bearhead saw the need for more Indigenous representation in children’s books Building, dancing, healing … and so much more by Shirley Byers

SIHA TOOSKIN KNOWS SERIES Charlene Bearhead and Wilson Bearhead, illustrated by Chloe Bluebird Mustooch HighWater Press-Portage & Main Press $11.95 pb Ebooks are available

Siha Tooskin Knows the Best Siha Tooskin Knows the Nature Medicine of Life

24 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-840-8 40 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-843-9 Charlene Bearhead Wilson Bearhead

Siha Tooskin Knows the Catcher Siha Tooskin Knows the Offering finish the stories and get them into of Dreams of Tobacco kids’ hands. 32 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-832-3 24 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-846-0 In each of the eight books, Paul Wahasaypa, or Siha Tooskin (which Siha Tooskin Knows the Gifts of Siha Tooskin Knows the Sacred means Little Foot), an 11-year-old His People Eagle Feather Nakota boy, explores an element of 24 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-834-7 32 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-849-1 his and other First Nations’ cultures. Siha Tooskin Knows the Love of Siha Tooskin Knows the Strength In Siha Tooskin Knows the Gifts the Dance of His Hair of Our People, he learns from his 40 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-852-1 24 pages, ISBN: 978-1-55379-837-8 father about many innovations and technologies that originated with the First Peoples of Turtle Island, in the areas of transportation, architecture, harlene Bearhead, an educator briefcase for over 20 years in their communication, medication, and Indigenous education unfinished forms.” agriculture, and more. C Her husband, Wilson Bearhead, In Siha Tooskin Knows the Love advocate living near Edmonton, saw that need, too. “I thought of the Dance, Paul’s uncle takes him Alberta, says that the Siha Tooskin there should be more stories about and his best friend to a powwow Knows series of eight books for Indigenous people,” he says. “I felt where they learn about the different middle-years readers was born out that children are the ones that are dances and their meaning. For of a need. going to make change, and they example, “Men’s traditional dancers need a new perspective on Canada. can be warriors or hunters. Some “I started writing the books when I often think back to the old people, dances tell stories about tracking my children were very young as there when they would cry and ask why enemies or animals in a hunt. That were not a lot of children’s books they (Canadians) don’t want to dance is called a Sneak-Up.” where they could see themselves know about us and our stories.” So In Siha Tooskin Knows the Nature represented. The books sat in a Wilson kept encouraging Charlene to of Life, Paul goes for a walk in the

18 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit

New for Spring 2020

woods with his mother and learns the Wilson, “our own children and all of lessons to be found there: kindness the other children that have been part from the tall grasses, generosity from of our lives. the birds and animals, and strength “I’m a storyteller, but Charlene is a and resilience from the rocks. writer, so we bring all of our different Other titles include Siha Tooskin gifts together.” Knows the Best Medicine, Siha Speaking of artistic gifts, Chloe Tooskin Knows the Catcher of Bluebird Mustooch, a graduate of Dreams, Siha Tooskin Knows the the Emily Carr University of Art and Offering of Tobacco, Siha Tooskin Design, illustrated the books with Knows the Sacred Eagle Feather, and coloured pencil and “just a touch Siha Tooskin Knows the Strength of of digital.” His Hair. “Working so closely with the Charlene says that while she does writers Charlene and Wilson was the actual writing, “Wilson is the such an enjoyable experience,” she one who brings the expertise around says. “They were so trusting with my cultural practices and Nakota own creative ability that this project language.” came with great ease.” “But we both bring our own experience with children,” says

PATHWAYS OF RECONCILIATION 978-0-88755-854-2 MAKHNO AND MEMORY • 978-0-88755-838-2 MAKING BELIEVE • 978-0-88755-857-3 IN GOOD RELATION • 978-0-88755-851-1 “I felt that children are the ones that are going to CIVILIAN INTERNMENT IN CANADA 978-0-88755-845-0 make change, and they need a new perspective on Canada. I often think back to the old people, when they would cry and ask why they (Canadians) don’t want to know about us and our stories.”

WILSON BEARHEAD

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 19 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit Editors build broad collection with ‘multiplicity of expression around Indigenous feminisms’ Five-year process leads to an anthology for those familiar and those new to these concepts by Paula E. Kirman

IN GOOD RELATION: “This project started with a panel will find something surprising and History, Gender, and Kinship at the 2015 meeting of the Canadian useful in how our contributors have in Indigenous Feminisms Historical Association, where Rob taken this concept up. If they are new Innes from the Department of to Indigenous feminisms, we hope Edited by Sarah Nickel and Indigenous Studies at the University they gain a sense of the richness and Amanda Fehr of Saskatchewan and Jill McConkey complexity of these ideas.” University of Manitoba Press from the University of Manitoba The editors note that Indigenous $27.95 pb, 264 pages ISBN: 978-0-88755-851-1 Press encouraged us to pursue a feminist literature has expanded over Available as an ebook volume on Indigenous feminisms,” the last few decades. say the editors. “The process was “It has grown exponentially, and quite lengthy and our team and has been taken up in new and he voices of Indigenous women contributors have seen some changes interesting ways,” they say. are often not well represented over these almost five years.” “It has been used to inform T It was important to the editors to discussions on identity, politics, within mainstream feminism, include a wide range of contributors. art, law, literature, film, and on, which has historically been white “All along we wanted this to and on. It has been challenged as and middle class. However, over be a broad collection that would a concept and identity (with some the past three decades, Indigenous bring together folks from diverse feeling it is not useful or appropriate feminist literature has addressed backgrounds and ‘communities,’ for Indigenous communities), it has so we really see our work through been used to disrupt gender-based how Indigenous women are conception to publication as a and racial hierarchies, and it has affected by both colonialism and collaborative effort across a number appeared in everyday conversation patriarchy. of different considerations,” they say. as well as in scholarly works from a “We worked with artists, activists, range of disciplines. It has proven to In Good Relation: History, scholars, community members be an important and emergent area Gender, and Kinship in Indigenous – with the understanding that of research and interest for many Feminisms presents a diverse these identities and communities individuals.” selection of Indigenous feminist are not singular and have porous That being said, they add, “This voices and critical thought from boundaries.” book provides just a snapshot of an emerging generation of artists, In Good Relation is the type of work folks activists, and scholars. aimed at both readers are doing in Indigenous The book is edited by Sarah who are familiar with and feminisms. In that regard, Nickel, a Tk’emlupsemc assistant those new to the concept we hope that it will professor of Indigenous Studies at of Indigenous feminisms. inspire readers to take the University of Saskatchewan, and “We hope they will part in the conversation Amanda Fehr, a white settler from value the multiplicity – to take up threads Saskatoon whose research includes of expression around of analysis offered by community-engaged oral history Indigenous feminisms,” these contributors (or to work in the predominantly Métis say Nickel and Fehr. “If address gaps that remain) community of Île-à-la-Crosse and they are familiar with the – to build on this body of with the English River First Nation. concept, we hope they knowledge.”

20 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 feature | first nations, métis, and inuit

Leroy Wolf Collar wants to move government from a model of dystopia to utopia Former Chief shares his experience in hopes of changing mindset of Indigenous, non-Indigenous readers alike by Paula E. Kirman

FIRST NATIONS SELF-GOVERNMENT: Wolf Collar. “I wanted to share the 17 Roadblocks to Self-Determination, and truth and realities experienced by One Chief's Thoughts on Solutions First Nations Peoples whose quality of life is hindered by the ‘17 Roadblocks’ Leroy Wolf Collar I talk about in my book.” Leroy Wolf Collar Brush Education Inc. He specifically addresses $24.95 pb, 168 pages leadership within First Nations communities. Wolf Collar ISBN: 978-1-55059-821-6 Available as an ebook says that First Nations need to change the way chiefs and councillors are elected. “We need leaders who are educated with leadership and management experience n this era of reconciliation, the self-determination and with healthy minds. We need leaders as role models of Indigenous Peoples in Canada is more important who lead by example, who will inspire the youth in our I communities,” he says. than ever. Some Indigenous communities have As well, Wolf Collar says that “First Nations signed self-government agreements of various kinds communities need to change the way they govern with the federal government, yet there are still many themselves – from the Indian Act (a place of dystopia) to obstacles along the path to true self-determination self-government, which will lead us to self-determination for Indigenous nations. (a place of utopia).” This involves developing Indigenous Leroy Paul Wolf Collar, a former Chief Constitutions based on traditional and of Siksika Nation in southern Alberta, dealt sacred laws, citizenships, and languages. with many problems faced by Indigenous It involves defining the roles and nations across the country, such as housing responsibilities of everyone in Indigenous shortages, lack of opportunities for youth, communities and not just depending on the and the challenges and frustrations of chiefs and councillors, while also making operating within the colonial system and the chiefs and councillors accountable and constraints of the Indian Act. transparent to the people who elected them. In his book First Nations Self- But while First Nations Self-Government Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self- is aimed at aspiring and current Indigenous Determination, and One Chief’s Thoughts leaders, Wolf Collar emphasizes that the on Solutions, Wolf Collar addresses 17 book is equally available to non-Indigenous obstacles that are impeding Indigenous readers. nations due to this defective system, such as broken He hopes to educate non-Indigenous Canadians “about treaty promises, problems with common forms of the truth and realities facing Indigenous Peoples, which band administration, and the intrusion of provincial I share from an Indigenous lens and from my lived governments. He also provides potential solutions to experiences as a former leader and someone who grew up overcome them. on an Indian reserve.” “I wanted to share my knowledge and experience as a former councillor and chief in hopes that I can inspire Read an extended version of this article at future First Nations people into becoming educated and prairiebooksnow.ca. healthy leaders representing their communities,” says

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 21 language loss – works toward restoring Chief of the Winnipeg Police, asking why more features Indigenous languages. missing Indigenous people do not get the picture books (Second Story Press, $14.95 pb, 28 pages, same swift response from the police and ISBN: 978-1-77260-101-5) the public as missing white people do, Hey Little Rockabye: A and urging the police and the media Lullaby for Pet Adoption early and middle years non-fiction to do better. Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated (James Lorimer & Company, $24.95 hc, by Ben Hodson 64 pages, ISBN: 978-1-4594-1451-8) After a lifetime of adopting rescued Caribou, Animals Illustrated series Dorothy and David Aglukark, animals as pets, the Academy Award– Northwest Resistance, A illustrated by Amanda Sandland winning singer-songwriter celebrates pet Girl Called Echo, Vol. 3 In this intricately illustrated book, children adoption with a song in this charmingly Katherena Vermette, illustrated by Scott B. will learn how caribou raise their babies, illustrated book, which includes the sheet Henderson, coloured by Donovan Yaciuk where they live, what they eat, and music so that readers can “feel loving and Echo Desjardins continues to slip back other interesting facts, such as how they cozy together” as they sing it to their pets. in time, learning first-hand about Métis communicate and how fast they can run. (Greystone Kids, $19.95 hc, 32 pages, ISBN: history. This time, she travels to Batoche at (Inhabit Media, $15.95 hc, 28 pages, 978-1-77164-482-2, available as ebook) the time when the Canadian government ISBN: 978-1-77227-234-5) is ignoring the petitions of the Métis I Will See You Again people, who enlist Louis Riel to help them. Powwow: A Celebration through Lisa Boivin (HighWater Press, $18.95 pb, 48 pages, ISBN: Song and Dance, Orca Origins series This mature picture book for all ages 978-1-55379-831-6, available as ebook) Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane explores grief and healing through the This book takes readers through a history memories, dreams, and Dene traditions of fiction, poetry, of powwow culture in North America, the author, who learns of the death of her and drama and the author, a lifelong competitive brother overseas and goes to bring him powwow dancer, provides a guide to home. Vibrant illustrations enhance the Bears the protocols, regalia, songs, dances, Matthew MacKenzie poetry of the text. and food found at powwows, as well as In this award-winning multidisciplinary (HighWater Press, $25.00 hc, 52 pages, the important role powwows play in play about the Trans Mountain Pipeline, ISBN: 978-1-55379-855-2, available as ebook) Indigenous culture and in reconciliation. Floyd is the prime suspect in a workplace (Orca Book Publishers, $24.95 hc, 88 pages, accident, so he heads west from Edmonton Kamik Takes the Lead with colour photos throughout, ISBN: to the Rockies, where he hopes to escape Adapted from the memories of Darryl 978-1-4598-1234-5, available as ebook) the RCMP and get some kind of work Baker, illustrated by Ali Hinch involving bears. Along the way, a mystical Jake and Kamik are preparing to run their middle years fiction transformation takes place. first dogsled race with a full team, in this (Playwrights Canada Press, $17.95 pb, fourth instalment in the Kamik series of The Case of the Missing Auntie, Mighty 80 pages, ISBN: 978-0-36910-106-8) books, which share traditional dog-rearing Muskrats Mystery series, Book Two practices and dog-training techniques. Michael Hutchinson Five Little Indians (Inhabit Media, $10.95 pb, 32 pages, Chickadee, Atim, Samuel, and Otter – the Michelle Good ISBN: 978-1-77227-266-6) Mighty Muskrats – are off to the city for the Exhibition Fair. While there, they need With compassion and insight, this novel tells the stories of five residential school kimotinâniwiw itwêwina to solve a mystery for their grandpa – find / Stolen Words out what happened to his sister who was survivors – Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie, and Melanie Florence, illustrated by Gabrielle taken away from their home during the Maisie – as they take very different routes Grimard, translated by Gayle Weenie and ’60s Scoop. to coming to terms with their past and Dolores Sand (Second Story Press, $10.95 pb, 192 pages, finding a way forward. This dual-language edition, in Plains ISBN: 978-1-77260-117-6) (HarperCollins Publishers, $22.99 pb, 304 Cree and English, of the award-winning pages, ISBN: 978-1-4434-5918-1, available as story of the close relationship between graphic novels ebook and audiobook) a little girl and her grandfather and of If I Go Missing the intergenerational impacts of the Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni residential school system – including Arctic Horror Stories Shingoose, art by Nshannacappo Compiled by Neil Christopher This powerful graphic novel is based on Taaqtumi means “in the dark,” and the letter that Brianna Jonnie sent to the the nine stories by Northern writers

22 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 – including Richard Van Camp and Mnidoo Bemaasing Bemaadiziwin: they engage with different approaches Aviaq Johnston – are dark indeed, with Reclaiming, Reconnecting and to thinking about and practising everything from zombies to cannibalism Demystifying ‘Resiliency’ as Life Force reconciliation. Energy for Residential School Survivors in the land of long nights and stormy days. (University of Manitoba Press, $27.95 Dr. Theresa Turmel (Inhabit Media, $16.95 pb, 180 pages, pb, 344 pages, ISBN: 978-0-88755-854-2, This community-based book brings ISBN: 978-1-77227-214-7) available as ebook) forward Indigenous thought, history, non-fiction and acts of resistance as viewed through Reclaiming Tom Longboat: Indigenous the survivors of the residential school Self-Determination in Canadian Sport A History of My Brief Body system, people who were able to persevere Janice Forsyth Billy-Ray Belcourt with resiliency and who share in their This book recounts the history of This memoir by the youngest winner voices how they found strength within Indigenous sport in Canada through the of the Griffin Poetry Prize opens with themselves to thrive. lens of the prestigious Tom Longboat memories of his early life in Joussard, (ARP Books, $22.00 pb, 216 pages, Awards. Forsyth critically assesses the Alberta, and on the Driftpile First Nation, ISBN: 978-1-927886-35-9, available as ebook) state’s role in policing Indigenous bodies and expands to encompass the legacy and identities through sport, recognizing of colonial violence, first loves, sexual The North-West Is Our Mother: sport as a tool for colonization in Canada, exploration, and the act of writing as a The Story of Louis Riel’s while also acknowledging its potential survival instinct and as a way to grieve. People, the Métis Nation to become a tool for decolonization and (Hamish Hamilton-Penguin Random Jean Teillet self-determination. House, $25.00 hc, 192 pages, ISBN: Written by the great-grandniece of Louis (University of Regina Press, $27.95 pb, 256 978-0-7352-3778-0, available as ebook Riel, this engaging history tells the story pages, with tables, notes, bibliography, and audiobook) of the Métis Nation, from its beginnings index, ISBN: 978-0-88977-728-6, available in the early 1800s through the battles for as ebook) Intimate Integration: A History recognition, for lands, and for rights and of the Sixties Scoop and the freedoms, including the acts of resistance Storying Violence: Unravelling Colonization of Indigenous Kinship in 1870 and 1885 up to the 20th century Colonial Narratives in Allyson D. Stevenson when the Métis people fought to be the Stanley Trial This analysis of the ’60s Scoop and the recognized as a distinct Indigenous nation. Gina Starblanket and Dallas Hunt post–Second World War child welfare (Patrick Crean Editions-HarperCollins, The authors explore the 2018 murder legislation in North America documents $36.99 hc, 592 pages, with maps, photos, of Colten Boushie and the subsequent the rise and fall of transracial adoption notes, bibliography, index, ISBN: trial of Gerald Stanley, arguing that projects, using an Indigenous gender 978-1-4434-5012-6) Boushie’s death and Stanley’s acquittal analysis to show how gender and kinship are a manifestation of the crisis-ridden relationships were undermined. Our Hearts Are as One Fire: An Ojibway- relationships between Indigenous and (University of Toronto Press, 320 pages, Anishinabe Vision for the Future non-Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan. $75.00 hc, ISBN: 978-1-4875-0064-1; Jerry Fontaine (ARP Books, $15.00 pb, 120 pages, ISBN: $32.95 pb, ISBN: 978-1-4875-2045-8; available This book draws on Ojibway-, Ota’wa-, and 978-1-927886-37-3, available as ebook) as ebook) Ishkodawatomi-Anishinabe world views, history, and lived experience to develop To Be a Water Protector: The Invested Indifference: How Violence a vision of how Anishinabe spiritual, Rise of the Wiindigoo Slayers Persists in Settler Colonial Society cultural, legal, and political principles will Winona LaDuke Kara Granzow support the leaders of today and tomorrow. LaDuke, a leader in culturally based Granzow demonstrates that through (UBC Press, 180 pages, $75.00 hc, sustainable development strategies, mechanisms such as the law, medicine, ISBN: 978-0-7748-6287-5; $29.95 pb, ISBN: renewable energy, sustainable food and control of land and space, violence 978-0-7748-6288-2; available as ebook) systems, and Indigenous rights, in this against Indigenous Peoples has become book explores issues that have been symbolically and politically ensconced Pathways of Reconciliation: central to her activism, including elements in the social construction of Canadian Indigenous and Settler Approaches to of a New Green Economy and lessons we nationhood. Implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action can take from activists outside of Canada (UBC Press, $89.95 hc, 256 pages, ISBN: Edited by Aimée Craft and Paulette Regan and the United States. 978-0-7748-3743-9, available as ebook) These essays by academics, practitioners, (Fernwood Publishing, $25.00 pb, 128 pages, students, and ordinary citizens address ISBN: 978-1-77363-267-4) the themes of reframing, learning and healing, researching, and living, as

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 23 non-fiction

Kehler brings voices of 16 men together to create a new definition of strength ‘Put a voice to my pain, and be free from it’: author leads by example in sharing struggles A timely, powerful book … MEN TAL HEALTH When it comes to mental health, too many men are suffering in silence. MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk tells the true stories MENTAL of prairie men—including Chris Beaudry, former assistant coach of the Humboldt Broncos—who have persevered through various mental health challenges. Together, they put a voice to by Laura Kupcis topics including masculinity, mental illness, addiction, sexual abuse, and suicide. HEALTH with foreword by Michael Landsberg These men speak out in raw honesty because they understand that the conversation doesn’t start until someone starts talking. : IT’S TIME TO

The silence has been broken. The time to talk is now. IT’S TIME TO “Not only is this book a must-read for all men, but it can MENTAL HEALTH: Kehler, whosehelp women own to understand struggles and support us better.” —Clint Malarchuk, former NHL goalie, author of The Crazy Game TALK with mental illness began at

It’s Time to Talk Allan Kehler is a bestselling author and TALK highly sought-after motivational speaker the age of 14, says hewho captivatesknows audiences across Canada. Allan Kehler For more information please visit: firsthand what it’s likewww.outfromtheshadows.ca to live

ALSO BY ALLAN KEHLER: KEHLER Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing ISBN 9781988783475 $ 17.95 a life where you’re smiling on 61795 $17.95 pb, 192 pages 9 781988 783475 > Allan Kehler B.Ed., B.PhEd. ISBN: 978-1-988783-47-5 the outside, but suffering on bestselling author of stepping out from the shadows: Available as an ebook the inside. a guide to understanding & healing from addictions “I also know what it feels like to be vulnerable, put a voice to otivational speaker and author Allan Kehler my pain, and be free from it,” Kehler says. has real concerns about the state of men’s Over the years, Kehler has met a great number of men M who have been carrying pain around for far too long – mental health, and his latest book, MENtal Health: pain resulting from mental illness, addiction, tragedy, It’s Time to Talk, addresses those concerns with an sexual abuse, and trauma. aim to help. “Why does it have to get so bad before we, as men, ask for help? Why do some of the headlines read ‘Women Men are far less likely to ask for Seek Help; Men Die’?” Kehler asks. help than women – they spend entire “It was my hope that through a book like this, I could lives hiding their feelings because of answer these questions.” deeply rooted societal ideas of what This book will save lives. a man should look like and how he It includes the personal stories of 16 men – professors, must act. counsellors, farmers, fathers, motivational speakers, “Human programming teachers – who have suffered in silence, who have feared surrounding the idea of masculinity repercussions from asking for help, feared ruining their influences boys,” Kehler says. “Boys reputation, or challenging the idea that men must be Allan Kehler were training to be men, and men strong at all times. were supposed to be physically But then they opened up, they asked for help, they strong, ruthlessly competitive, confident, and stoic at all shared their pain. Suddenly there was hope, there was times. Boys weren’t often taught how to recognize and help, and there was understanding. talk about their feelings; they were taught to be a man This book will show men a more useful idea of what and suppress their emotions.” strong can be. This programming is slowly changing. “Today, boys “The men in this book are motivated to help boys are being taught to feel, to cry, and to reach out for help and men recognize that they don’t need to conform to in times of need,” Kehler writes. “Boys are beginning to the old stereotypes of masculinity,” Kehler says. “They understand that asking for help is not a weakness, but are motivated to represent a new and healthy form of rather a strength. They are learning that it’s okay to not masculinity, and demonstrate that real men can, and be okay. should, ask for help. “What’s not okay is to fight your battles in silence,” he “These men understand that the conversation around urges. “There is nothing manly about suffering in silence. men’s mental health won’t get better unless we make it While the pressure to be strong still exists for boys, better.” silence has never equalled strength.”

24 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 non-fiction

Untangling the promised benefits of public-private partnerships

John Loxley examines how neoliberal austerity measures move money through ‘ideological bias’ by Paula E. Kirman John Loxley

IDEOLOGY OVER ECONOMICS: transaction costs, such as legal and administrative costs, P3s in an Age of Austerity mean there is little, if any, savings. Loxley argues that there is a neoliberal ideology at the John Loxley core of the popularity of P3s, one that governments do Fernwood Publishing $28.00 pb, 252 pages not readily admit to. “P3s are the product of policies of ISBN: 978-1-77363-192-9 austerity by governments with neoliberal policy agendas,” Available as ebook he says. “The book aims to situate P3s in this policy perspective.” These neoliberal policies of austerity include cutting ublic-private partnerships, known as P3s, public spending to stimulate private sector activity, in which the private sector takes on roles employment, and GDP growth. In effect, they lead to a P reduced role of the state and bring a profit motive into previously carried out by the public sector, are public-sector operations. becoming popular in the United Kingdom, the Loxley’s conclusions that P3s do not achieve their United States, and Canada, especially since the 2008 promised goals and that their expansion has more to financial crisis. do with ideology than actual benefits to the economy and community are the result of his Economist John Loxley examines the in-depth studies of P3s. expansion of P3s in municipal, provincial, “I looked at the relationship of union national, First Nations, and international pension funds to P3s, the importance of P3s to contexts in his new book, Ideology Over municipalities, and the role of P3s in African Economics: P3s in an Age of Austerity. He and developing countries generally,” he says. “I describes P3s and the various forms they examined the collapse of P3 giant Carillion in might take, showing how they allow the the U.K. and its implications for P3s in both the private sector to encroach on what was U.K. and Canada.” previously public-sector territory. He adds that there are other factors of The topic has been one Loxley has been concern with P3s, namely restricting future examining for quite some time. “Bringing governments, thereby eroding the principles of together articles I have written on [P3s] since democracy – voters can’t bring about change if the 2008 financial crisis seemed to be a good new governments are bound by old agreements. idea,” says Loxley. He’s a professor of economics at the “P3s last for as long as 35 years and bring inflexibility into University of Manitoba and a Fellow of the Royal Society infrastructure projects,” says Loxley. “They also commit of Canada, and has served as an economic advisor to government forward for many years and hence do not numerous governments. promote democracy.” Why are P3s becoming so popular? According to the Ideology Over Economics is aimed at students, workers, governments in question, the rationale for using P3s and government employees, as well as the general public. includes arguments such as lower cost, reduced risk, and Loxley hopes that readers will learn that “the economic higher quality construction for public projects. But are there and financial arguments for involving the private sector in other factors at play? designing, building, financing, and operating infrastructure In fact, there is no evidence that risks to governments through P3s are very weak and that P3s are essentially the are reduced, and higher costs of borrowing together with product of ideological bias.”

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 25 non-fiction

Communication strategies for classrooms, students, and scholars are easily adaptable

Kyle Conway asks for a return to curiosity, playfulness, and ethics, rather than competition

by melanie brannagan frederiksen Kyle Conway

THE ART OF COMMUNICATION “Perhaps we make a joke out of the fact that it’s a script. IN A POLARIZED WORLD We read it ironically. I say their lines, they say mine. In Kyle Conway the end, if I’m lucky, we reach a point where we see their Athabasca University Press hesitation to clean as a result not of the work but of their $24.99 pb, 168 pages frustration at repeating the script again, a frustration with colour and b/w figures throughout that’s dissipated through humour. Or I see my insistence ISBN: 978-1-77199-293-0 as a result not of the dirty floor as such but of my need to Available as an ebook feel dad-like, and I can cut them some slack.” The second rhetorical strategy is invention. “According to Aristotle,” Conway says, “anyone can learn the tools yle Conway is a professor of communication of rhetoric and invention, which is really just figuring out studies at the University of Ottawa. His third what you need, what you have on hand, and how you can K use it to persuade someone.” book, The Art of Communication in a Polarized World, Both of these strategies have a dark side. Misreading, asks, “How do we come to understand people who as Conway demonstrates in his discussion of George seem different from us?” Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, “can also be used to loosen people’s grip on what they While in his previous books think they know. Gaslighting is a form of Conway focused on TV, The Art of misreading.” Communication in a Polarized World Invention, too, can function not as “is more about strategies we can use” to persuasion but as provocation. As an more effectively engage with people who example, “Trump has worked to impose a are different from us. victim frame (or even a revenge frame) on The Art of Communication in a his impeachment acquittal, in contrast to the Polarized World is addressed to his democracy (or corruption) frame Democrats students and fellow scholars, but have tried to advance,” Conway says. Conway’s style and language are both “I don’t think either side will persuade accessible and inviting. “Even though anyone who doesn’t already agree with them, we’re not in a classroom together, the but that’s the polarization I hope to address.” strategies I talk about are adaptable and This “need to compete, to win, to beat applicable elsewhere,” he says. people we see as political opponents” is The first of Conway’s strategies is what Conway sees as the root of our misreading, which involves taking an established text culture’s polarization. The remedies he proposes to our and approaching it from a different angle, reading it in cultural and political polarization are based in curiosity, ways it hasn’t been read before. At its most productive, playfulness, and ethical commitment to one another. being willing to approach an established pattern slant- “Misreading is a knife that cuts both ways,” Conway wise allows for the possibility of genuine reframing of a says, “which is why we must also think about our conflict and increased mutual understanding. obligations to the people we’re talking to.” Conway demonstrates this by describing the way he might use misreading to convince his children to clean their rooms.

26 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 non-fiction Lovely, luscious, and local Saskatchewan eats compiled in one handy book Jenn Sharp’s tastebuds led the way for this collection of 167 food artisans

by Shirley Byers

FLAT OUT DELICIOUS: you support the artisans included doughnuts in MARJAN RICHARD Your Definitive Guide to in these pages.” the province,” Jenn Sharp Saskatchewan’s Food Artisans Before tackling this book, as Sharp says. Sharp had written about food in Award-winning photographer Jenn Sharp, photographs by Saskatchewan in her Flat Out Food Richard Marjan – whose work has Richard Marjan column, which runs in the Star appeared in Canadian Geographic, TouchWood Editions Phoenix and the Regina Leader-Post. the New York Times, and the $25.00 pb, 352 pages with full-colour photos But for this book, she went further Globe and Mail – contributes to throughout, index afield than she had before. the lushness of the book with full- ISBN: 978-1-77151-304-3 Artisans featured in the book colour photographs of the profiled Available as an ebook include cheese maker Kevin Petty, artisans, as well as landscapes, who makes small-batch artisanal produce, livestock, happy diners, and cheese in a style modelled after an of course, delicious food. enn Sharp’s new book, Flat 18th-century European recipe. He There’s a definite interest in where Out Delicious: Your Definitive launched Saskatoon Spruce in 2018. our food comes from these days. J Curtis Reid forages for wild “Every day, I am more and more Guide to Saskatchewan’s Food non-tree products in northern inspired by our growing local Artisans, will be finding its way Saskatchewan. He’s harvested and food system,” Sharp says. “More into the glove boxes and consoles sold Labrador tea, fireweed leaves, independent retailers stocking locally of many vehicles heading out yarrow, wild sarsaparilla root, made, grown, and raised goods are on the highway this summer. valerian roots, balm of Gilead buds, opening, more farmers are choosing and wild mushrooms. to sell direct-to-consumer and buck Along with sunblock and water At Nokomis, Jeff Allport operates the commodity trend, and more bottles, this guide to good eating a microbrewery and a consumers are wanting to get to in Saskatchewan is taproom. His four core know – and support – their local destined to be an beers are made from farmers. More and more farmers are Prairie-grown barley. turning to regenerative agriculture essential element of In Imperial, chef and holistic animal husbandry every road trip. Tracy Kelly-Wilcox methods, which inspires the heck Flat Out Delicious always has a grain bowl outta me!” includes 167 food and a pulse plate on the As extensive as the coverage in Flat artisan profiles. menu at her bakery and Out Delicious is, there is plenty more Saskatoon-based Sharp café. She doesn’t want out there. says she “visited each to offend anyone in beef “A sequel is definitely a possibility!” person in the book, ate country, but, she says, says Sharp. “It wasn’t possible to each chef’s food, got “I wanted to showcase include everyone in the first book to know each farmer’s items that everyone and by the time it’s published, there animals, and felt the around here grows but will be many more incredible food dirt in each vegetable very few people eat.” artisans to add to the list. garden. And folks can’t resist “Beyond that, I’d like to do a “It’s for those reasons,” she adds, the doughnuts at the Wadena Bakery, similar project but on a national “that I can personally recommend “likely the best spot for Boston cream scale.”

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 27 the author as he visits Mennonite food & drink more non-fiction communities in Mexico, Belize, Bolivia, art & photography Paraguay, and Argentina. He finds reasons Baby Food in an Instant Pot: 125 to both love and loathe the culture he left – Quick, Simple and Nutritious Along the Western Front Recipes for Babies and Toddlers and finds himself along the way. Leah Hennel Jennifer House and Marilyn Haugen (Biblioasis, $22.95 pb, 240 pages, Through vibrant and at times intensely Information about babies’ nutritional ISBN: 978-1-77196-347-3, available as ebook) personal photographs, this evocative needs, how to prevent choking, and how to book presents a fresh perspective on the handle picky eating is included along with Out of My Mind: A Psychologist’s contemporary cowboy culture and the Descent into Madness and Back recipes for 50 purées, 25 finger foods, and modern ranching lifestyle throughout Shalom Camenietzki 50 family-friendly dishes. Tips on storage central and southern Alberta, showing This account of a psychologist with times and serving fresh or freezing, and the hard work and glory of its grittiness. bipolar disorder reveals the strengths and sample meal plans are also provided. (Rocky Mountain Books, $40.00 hc, fallibilities of traditional psychotherapies (Robert Rose, $24.95 pb, 192 pages, colour 192 pages, with colour & b/w photos and shows how Dr. Camenietzki finally photos, index, ISBN: 978-0-7788-0635-6) throughout, ISBN: 978-1-77160-205-1, obtained a life free of the turmoil of available as ebook) obsessive daydreams of taking his life, A Spicy Touch: Family Favourites from Noorbanu Nimji’s Kitchen flamboyant periods of mania, disturbing Old Man’s Garden: The History and Noorbanu Nimji and Karen Anderson acts of violence against his family, and Lore of Southern Alberta Wildflowers In this book, Noorbanu Nimji collaborates various episodes of psychosis. Annora Brown with food writer and tour operator Karen (University of Regina Press, $24.95 hc, Originally published in 1954, this Anderson to present more than 200 time- 272 pages, ISBN: 978-0-88977-689-0, Canadian classic tells the legends and tested family favourites and new recipes available as ebook) folklore of southern Alberta’s native plants – for soups, snacks, main dishes, grilling, and wildflowers through art and stories, breads, rice dishes, chutneys, and sweets Pourin’ Down Rain: A Black Woman featuring pen-and-ink drawings of flowers Claims Her Place in the Canadian West – celebrating Nimji’s North Indian Ismaili and native plants and full-colour images of Cheryl Foggo Muslim ancestry and the East African the artist’s later paintings of the dramatic This is the 30th-anniversary edition of cuisine from her homeland in Kenya. landscape of the Oldman River area. Foggo’s landmark work about coming of (TouchWood Editions, $40.00 hc, 320 pages, (Rocky Mountain Books, $30.00 pb, 280 age Black in 1960s Calgary, a time and colour photos throughout, ISBN: pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-344-7) place where Black people were a very 978-1-77151-333-3) visible minority. Foggo struggled against Treasures of Winnipeg’s negative attitudes as an adolescent, but Uncertain Harvest: The Future Historic Exchange of Food on a Warming Planet exploring her ancestry gave her the George J. Mitchell Ian Mosby, Sarah Rotz, and Evan D. G. Fraser confidence to claim her place in the This breathtaking photography book Drawing on the ideas of experts such Canadian West, celebrating the Black celebrates the architectural splendour as scientists, chefs, activists, farmers, experience and Black resiliency on the and cultural heritage of Winnipeg’s philosophers, and engineers, as well as Prairies. famed Exchange District, a 30-block cutting-edge research about how to make (Brush Education Inc., $19.95 pb, 128 pages, area featuring 150 remarkably preserved a more equitable, safe, sustainable, and ISBN: 978-1-55059-833-9, available as ebook) heritage buildings dating back to the plentiful food future, the authors present late 19th and early 20th centuries. These a roadmap for a global food policy, looking Vertical Reference: The Life of photos highlight the impressive scale and Legendary Mountain Helicopter at eight foods that could save us: algae, intricate detail of the Exchange’s banks, Rescue Pilot Jim Davies caribou, kale, millet, tuna, crickets, milk, warehouses, and commercial towers. Cathy Calvert and rice. (Heritage House, $49.95 hc, 272 pages, This book takes an exciting look at the (University of Regina Press, $27.95 pb, 256 colour and b/w photos throughout, adventurous life of Jim Davies, a pioneer pages, ISBN: 978-0-88977-720-0, available ISBN: 978-1-77203-307-6) heli-ski pilot and racer in Canada, and as ebook) biography & memoir more importantly, a helicopter rescue pilot guides for Parks Canada. Davies won numerous Menno Moto: A Motorcycle Journey awards for his groundbreaking work in across the Americas in Search Adventures with Adoptable Dogs: An mountain rescue, and was seen as a legend of My Mennonite Identity Instagram Guide for Animal Advocates by all who worked with him. Cameron Dueck Rachel Rodgers (Rocky Mountain Books, $28.00 pb, This memoir of an eight-month, Featuring fun photos and descriptions 352 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-415-4) 45,000-kilometre motorcycle trip follows of several silly, sweet, and sometimes

28 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 brilliant dogs encountered at various Popular Wildflowers of where they led a rally of 500 women on shelters, this book is a useful social media the Canadian Prairies Parliament Hill and shut down Parliament resource demonstrating how advocates for Neil L. Jennings for the first time in Canadian history, pet adoption can gain positive exposure This light, full-colour field guide pulling off a national campaign in an era for the animals in their care in the most introduces amateur naturalists to without social media and with an almost efficient, positive, and cost-effective way. some of the more commonly found non-existent budget. (Rocky Mountain Books, $20.00 pb, wildflowers in the Canadian Prairies. (Second Story Press, $24.95 pb, 392 pages, 144 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-379-9) Profiles are arranged by predominant with b/w photos, ISBN: 978-1-77260-125-1, colour of blossoms, and include colour available as ebook) Everything Manitoba: The photos, informative descriptions with Ultimate Book of Lists both common and scientific names, and The Aging–Disability Nexus Christine Hanlon additional information of interest often Edited by Katie Aubrecht, Christine Well-known Manitobans – such as Niigaan related to the common name. Kelly, and Carla Rice Sinclair with “10 Notable Events for (Rocky Mountain Books, $15.00 pb, This groundbreaking book brings Indigenous Peoples,” Jordan van Sewell 112 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-351-5) gerontology and disability studies into with “10 Favourite Historical Buildings dialogue with each other through a in Winnipeg,” and Gail Asper with “17 The Prairie Gardener’s Go-To variety of empirical, conceptual, and Random and Wonderful Things about for Pests and Diseases pedagogical approaches, analyzing the Manitoba” – weigh in on everything of Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau distinction between aging with a disability interest in Manitoba. This guide to trouble-shooting problems and aging into disability, and revealing (MacIntyre Purcell Publishing, $19.95 pb, with weeds, insects, micro-organisms, how multiple identities, socie-economic 216 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77276-136-8) rodents, birds, deer, and other common forces, culture, and community form Prairie gardeners’ issues uses an integrated experience. 150 Nature Hot Spots in Canada: pest management approach, showing how (UBC Press, $89.95 hc, 256 pages, ISBN: The Best Parks, Conservation to identify the problem and how to deter it, 978-0-7748-6367-4, available as ebook) Areas and Wild Places while respecting the broader environment. Selected and edited by Debbie Olsen (TouchWood Editions, $15.00 pb, 160 pages, All the Feels: Affect and Writing This guide features a selection of colour photos throughout, ISBN: in Canada / Tous les sens: Affect destinations from the four existing 978-1-77151-314-2, available as ebook) et écriture au Canada Canadian nature hot spot guides with Edited by Marie Carrière, Ursula the addition of destinations in Quebec, The Prairie Gardener’s Mathis-Moser, and Kit Dobson Atlantic Canada, and the territories, Go-To for Vegetables Readable and timely, this book presents profiling 85 general hot spots across the Janet Melrose and Sheryl Normandeau research into emotion and cognition in country and 65 hot spots chosen for their From planning to planting to harvesting Canadian, Indigenous, and Québécois specialized appeal, such as backpacking, vegetables such as onions, lettuce, carrots, writings in English or French. The scenery, and birdwatching. celery, beets, corn, legumes, peppers, emerging field of affect studies makes (Firefly Books, $29.95 pb, 256 pages, colour potatoes, squash and more, this Q & A– vital claims about ethical impulses, social photos throughout, sidebars, index, style guide covers common questions justice, and critical resistance – much is ISBN: 978-0-2281-0242-7) about cultivation practices, preventing at stake when readers adopt affective damage from frost, flood, and drought, reading practices. Popular Wildflowers of Alberta and harvest and storage. (University of Alberta Press, $39.99 pb, 312 and the Canadian Rockies (TouchWood Editions, $15.00 pb, 160 pages, pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-487-3, available Neil L. Jennings colour photos throughout, ISBN: as ebook) This light, full-colour field guide 978-1-77151-312-8, available as ebook) introduces amateur naturalists to some general non-fiction The Anthropocene Disruption of the more commonly found wildflowers Robert William Sandford in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies. The Abortion Caravan: When Women This important and timely book addresses Profiles are arranged by predominant Shut Down Government in the the new reality of the Anthropocene, a colour of blossoms, and include colour Battle for the Right to Choose new geological epoch defined by human photos, informative descriptions with Karin Wells influence on the Earth system function, both common and scientific names, and Spring 2020 marks 50 years since a group and what we should be doing about it. additional information of interest often of 17 remarkable women set out from (Rocky Mountain Books, $20.00 hc, related to the common name. Vancouver in a big yellow convertible, a 168 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-319-5) (Rocky Mountain Books, $15.00 pb, Volkswagen bus, and a pickup truck to 112 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-349-2) gather support on their way to Ottawa,

continued on page 30 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 29 continued from page 29 and urban socio-spatial polarization since of the hurdles to overcome and factors An Autobiography of the Autobiography of Reading the 1980s, showing the kinds of factors of success. Dionne Brand – social, economic, and cultural – that (Rotman-UTP Publishing, $34.95 hc, In this latest CLC Kreisel Lecture, Brand have influenced residential options and 288 pages, ISBN: 978-1-4875-0515-8, available explores her encounters with colonial, redistributed concentrations of poverty as ebook) imperialist, and racist tropes, the ways and affluence, and signalling the urgency that practices of reading and writing are for concerted policy responses. Crossing Borders: Essays in Honour of Ian Angus, Beyond shaped by those narrative structures, (UBC Press, $110.00 hc, 352 pages, with Phenomenology and Critique and the challenges of writing a narrative maps, table, charts, ISBN: Edited by Samir Gandesha and of Black life that attends to its own 978-0-7748-6202-8, available as ebook) Peyman Vahabzadeh expression and its own consciousness. These original and cutting-edge essays by (University of Alberta Press, $12.99 pb, Civilian Internment in Canada: Histories and Legacies outstanding and diverse Canadian and 72 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-508-5, avai Edited by Rhonda L. Hinther international scholars engage with Ian lable as ebook) and Jim Mochoruk Angus’s rich contributions to three distinct, This collection, which includes but overlapping, fields: Canadian studies, Bedside and Community: 50 Years phenomenology and critical theory, and of Contributions to the Health of personal memoirs of survivors and Albertans by the University of Calgary their descendants, as well as works of communication and media studies. Edited by Diana Mansell, Frank W. community activists, scholars, and public (ARP, $28.00 pb, 296 pages, ISBN: Stahnisch, and Paula Larsson historians, explores the connections, 978-1-927886-33-5, available as ebook) This inside story of 50 years of health care contrasts, and continuities across the and health research at the University of broad range of civilian internments in Cry Wolf: Inquest into the True Nature of a Predator Calgary draws on first-person accounts of Canada from the days of the First World Harold R. Johnson researchers, administrators, faculty, and War to the present. In 2005, Kenton Carnegie was killed in a students, along with archival research (University of Manitoba Press, $31.95 pb, 432 wolf attack near his work camp in northern and faculty histories to celebrate the many pages, ISBN: 978-0-88755-845-0, available Saskatchewan. Johnson analyzes the contributions the university has made to as ebook) evidence – some of which was ignored or the health of Albertans. falsified or at the very least misrepresented (University of Calgary Press, $34.99 pb, Contact!Unload: Military Veterans, in the report by the coroner’s expert – to 264 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77385-072-6, Trauma, and Research-Based Theatre examine this story and other attacks, available as ebook) Edited by George Belliveau and Graham W. Lea, with Marv Westwood showing how our relationship with wolves is shifting, to our peril. Canada’s Legal Pasts: Looking This book explores the development, Forward, Looking Back performance, and reception of (University of Regina Press, $16.95 pb, Edited by Lyndsay Campbell, Ted Contact!Unload, a play that brings to life 168 pages, ISBN: 978-0-88977-738-5, McCoy, and Mélanie Méthot the personal stories of veterans returning available as ebook) This book presents new essays on a range from deployment overseas. The play and of topics and episodes in Canadian legal the book serve as a model for using arts- Digital Politics in Canada: Promises and Realities history, provides an introduction to legal based approaches to mental health care. Edited by Tamara A. Small methodologies, shows researchers newer (UBC Press, 264 pages, with b/w photos, and Harold J. Jansen to the field how to locate and use a variety $89.98 hc, ISBN: 978-0-7748-6262-2; $34.95 This book looks at Canadian political of sources, and includes a combined pb, ISBN: 978-0-7748-6263-9; available as practice and the increased use of digital bibliography arranged to demonstrate ebook) politics, featuring chapters on the rapid best practices in gathering and listing digitization of Indigenous people, women, primary sources. Creating Healthy Organizations: and young people, and taking an in-depth (University of Calgary Press, $39.99 pb, Taking Action to Improve Employee Well-Being look at key issues of online surveillance 400 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77385-116-7, available Graham Lowe and Internet voting. as ebook) This revised and expanded edition (University of Toronto Press, 272 pages, provides an evidence-based practical $110.00 hc, ISBN: 978-1-4875-8759-8; $49.95 Changing Neighbourhoods: Social and Spatial Polarization in Canadian Cities guide to strengthening the links between pb, ISBN: 978-1-4875-8758-1; available as Edited by Jill L. Grant, Alan Walks, employee well-being and performance in ebook) and Howard Ramos any organization and an updated analysis This book examines the dimensions and impacts of increased economic inequality

30 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 Dissonant Methods: Undoing Discipline in the Humanities Classroom Edited by Ada S. Jaarsma and Kit Dobson This innovative collection probes how, by teaching inventively, post-secondary instructors can resist the constrictions of neo- liberalism. The contributors offer practical meditations on resistant and sustainable teaching and seek to undermine forms of oppression frequently practised in higher education, aiming instead for critical thinking, creativity, and inclusivity. (University of Alberta Press, $29.99 pb, 216 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-489-7, available as ebook)

Eerie Edmonton Rhonda Parrish with Rona Anderson Are there really spirits lurking around Fort Edmonton and the provincial legislature? Do ghosts haunt the halls of the University of Alberta? This collection of more than 40 stories reveals the truth in the tales people tell and highlights Edmonton’s dark shadows and colourful past. (Dundurn, $21.99 pb, 224 pages, with b/w illustrations, ISBN: 978-1-4597-4449-3)

The End of the CBC? David Taras and Christopher Waddell This book examines the political, economic, social, media, and cultural forces that have pushed the CBC, after almost 90 years, to the point where it must be reimagined or re-invented. The authors propose a way forward, one in which the corporation concentrates its resources on news and current affairs and re-establishes a reputation for depth and quality. (University of Toronto Press, 232 pages, $80.00 hc, ISBN: 978-1-4875-9353-7; $34.95 pb, ISBN: 978-1-4875-9352-0; available as ebook)

The First Century of the International Joint Commission Edited by Daniel Macfarlane and Murray Clamen This definitive history of the International Joint Commission, which oversees and protects the shared waters of Canada and the United States, covers a broad range of chronological, geographic, and thematic aspects of its evolution, by an impressive interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners. (University of Calgary Press, $42.99 pb, 622 pages, with b/w images, ISBN: 978-1-77385-107-5, available as ebook)

Flight: Stories of Canadian Aviation, Vol. 1 Edited by Deanna J. Driver Wartime bombings, engine failures, a rudimentary air traffic control tower, and flights with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatics team are among the engaging true stories by western Canadian pilots and aviation enthusiasts in this first book of the Flight series. (DriverWorks Ink, $19.95 pb, 192 pages, with b/w photos, index, ISBN: 978-1-927570-49-4)

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Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 31 continued from page 31

God Speed: Walking as a for difference while inviting readers to This book draws on archives to tell the Spiritual Practice find common ground across cultures. story of this remarkable community. Mark Buchanan (University of Manitoba Press, $27.95 (University of Calgary Press, $49.99 pb, Part theology, part history, part field guide, pb, 424 pages, ISBN: 978-0-88755-857-3, 400 pages, colour and b/w images, this book explores walking as spiritual available as ebook) ISBN: 978-1-77385-121-1, available as ebook) formation, walking as healing, walking as exercise, walking as prayer, walking Making the Best of It: Women and Prairie: A Natural History of the Heart as pilgrimage, suffering, friendship, and Girls of Canada and Newfoundland of North America, Revised Edition attentiveness, and provides specific during the Second World War Candace Savage walkabouts to help implement this habit. Edited by Sarah Glassford and Amy Shaw This revised edition features a new preface (Zondervan, $23.99 pb, 256 pages, ISBN: This book examines the ways in which and updated research on the effects 978-0-3103-6089-6, available as ebook and gender and other identities intersected of climate change on an increasingly audiobook) to shape the experiences of mainstream vulnerable landscape, along with new and minority female Canadians and information of the conservation of Laws of the Constitution: Consolidated Newfoundlanders during the war, threatened species, grassland loss and Donald F. Bur broadening the scope of what is known conservation, the health of rivers and This volume gathers all of the historical about the changes the war wrought in the water tables, and the benefits of and contemporary constitutional their lives, and addressing wider debates regenerative agriculture. documents pertaining to Canada, about memory, historiography, and (Greystone Books, $24.95 pb, 320 pages, its provinces, and its territories, feminism. with b/w images and colour map insert, organized thematically and topically (UBC Press, $89.95 hc, 298 pages, with ISBN: 978-1-77164-594-2, available as ebook) for ease of reference, and supported by b/w photos, ISBN: 978-0-7748-6277-6, comprehensive lists and a thorough index. available as ebook) Psychiatry and the Legacies (University of Alberta Press, $250.00 hc, of Eugenics: Historical Studies 840 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-490-3) Nature’s Broken Clocks: of Alberta and Beyond Reimagining Time in the Face Edited by Frank W. Stahnisch and of Environmental Crisis Makhno and Memory: Anarchist Erna Kurbegovic and Mennonite Narratives of Paul Huebener Using institutional case studies, Ukraine’s Cold War, 1917–1921 Huebener argues that we can bring about biographical accounts, and media Sean Patterson change by developing a critical literacy reports, this book illustrates how the Drawing on a vast array of sources about of time. He turns to works of fiction and emerging field of psychiatry and its the conflict between Mennonite colonists poetry to examine how cultural narratives concerns about inheritable conditions was in southern Ukraine and Nestor Makhno of time are connected to the problems of heavily influenced by eugenic thought and his military forces during the Russian ecological collapse and what we might do and contributed to the longevity of Civil War, Patterson attempts to make to fix them. sterilization practices in Western Canada, sense of the competing cultural memories, (University of Regina Press, $24.95 pb, 220 particularly Alberta. reframing the Mennonite-Makhno pages, ISBN: 978-0-88977-712-5, available (Athabasca University Press, $37.99 pb, relationship. as ebook) 488 pages, with b/w figures, ISBN: (University of Manitoba Press, $27.95 pb, 978-1-77199-265-7, available as ebook) 168 pages, ISBN: 978-0-88755-838-2, Others of My Kind: Transatlantic available as ebook) Transgender Histories Regime of Obstruction: How Corporate Alex Bakker, Rainer Herrn, Michael Power Blocks Energy Democracy Making Believe: Questions Thomas Taylor, and Annette F. Timm Edited by William K. Carroll about Mennonites and Art During the first half of the 20th century, This book aims to make visible the Magdalene Redekop a group of transgender people on both complex connections between corporate Part criticism, part memoir, this book uses sides of the Atlantic Ocean established power and the extraction and use of case studies of Mennonite writers, visual private networks by exchanging letters carbon energy, providing hard data and artists, and music composers to raise and pictures among themselves. They also empirical research that traces the power questions about Mennonites and art, about sought to educate doctors and the public and influence of the fossil fuel industry how different sensibilities are affected by by submitting their stories and photos to through economics, politics, media, and where we come from, insisting on respect medical journals and popular magazines. higher education. (Athabasca University Press, $39.99 pb, 576 pages, with b/w figures, ISBN: 978-1-77199-289-3, available as ebook)

32 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 Royal Progress: Canada’s Monarchy him: the meaning of trust, respect, The Urban Archetypes of Jane Jacobs in the Age of Disruption attention, love, and much more. and Ebenezer Howard: Contradiction Edited by D. Michael Jackson (Rocky Mountain Books, $32.00 hc, 256 and Meaning in City-Form In anticipation of the end of a record- pages, with photos, ISBN: 978-1-77160-361-4) Abraham Akkerman breaking reign by Queen Elizabeth II, these Situating Howard, the proponent of essays examine how the monarchy may The Tenth Justice: Judicial single-family homes with gardens, and evolve in Canada, exploring topics such Appointments, Marc Nadon, and Jacobs, who embraced existing inner-city as the historical relationship between the the Supreme Court Act Reference neighbourhoods, within a psycho-cultural Indigenous Peoples and the Crown, the Carissima Mathen and Michael Plaxton context, this book shows how offices of the governor general and the Here, for the first time is the complete they have become the two ancient lieutenant-governors, the succession story of Stephen Harper’s appointment archetypes, the Garden and the Citadel, to the throne, and more. of Marc Nadon as a Supreme Court judge, leaving it to future generations to blend (Dundurn, $24.99 pb, 216 pages, with b/w and an explanation of how the Nadon their opposing stances. illustrations, ISBN: 978-1-4597-4573-5) Reference case came to be, the issues at (University of Toronto Press, $80.00 hc, 304 stake, and its legacy. pages, with illustrations, maps, figures, Secession and Separatist Conflicts (UBC Press, 206 pages, $75.00 hc, ISBN: ISBN: 978-1-4875-0126-6, available as ebook) in Postcolonial Africa 978-0-7748-6427-5; $27.95 pb, ISBN: Charles G. Thomas and Toyin Falola 978-0-7748-6428-2; available as ebook) A White Lie Drawing on rigorous research and using Madeeha Hafez Albatta, edited by detailed case studies, this book examines Treasuring the Tradition: The Barbara Bill and Ghada Ageel the historical arc of secession and Story of the Military Museums In this first volume of the Women’s Voices secessionist conflict across sub-Saharan Jeff Keshen and David Bercuson from Gaza series, Albatta chronicles her Africa, paying particular attention to the This lavishly illustrated history tells life and achievements, which include development of the conflicts and their the story of how the Military Museums establishing some of the first schools for evolving goals. in Calgary – Canada’s only tri-service refugee children in Gaza. Her story will (University of Calgary Press, $39.99 pb, museum and military education centre benefit Middle East scholars, social justice 416 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77385-126-6, – came to be, from the formation of the and human rights advocates, and all who available as ebook) Museum of the Regiments to the work want to know about the modern history of of veterans and citizens to create and Palestine. Taking a Break from Saving the maintain one of Calgary’s main cultural, (University of Alberta Press, $24.99 pb, World: A Climate Activist’s Journey educational and tourist sites. 152 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77212-492-7, available from Burnout to Balance (University of Calgary Press, $29.99 pb, 144 as ebook) Stephen Legault pages, ISBN: 978-1-77385-058-0, available Legault looks at the culture of self- as ebook) 25 Years of Ed Tech sacrifice that permeates the work done Martin Weller by volunteers and paid staff in the Until We Are Free: Reflections on In this concise and necessary retrospective, environmental conservation movement, Black Lives Matter in Canada Weller follows the trajectory of education and dissects how to manage one’s time, Edited by Rodney Diverlus, Sandy by focusing each chapter on a technology, energy, and commitment to causes, Hudson, and Syrus Marcus Ware theory, or concept that has influenced proposing a variety of techniques to This anthology of some of the best African- each year since 1994, demonstrating a relieve anxiety and help ensure workers Canadian writing on the most urgent rich history of innovation and effective in social change achieve a lifetime of issues facing Black communities in implementation of ed tech across higher engagement that is fulfilling, effective, Canada describes the latest developments education. and self-sustaining. of Canadian Black activism, organizing (University of Athabasca Press, $21.99 (Rocky Mountain Books, $20.00 pb, efforts through the use of social media, pb, 208 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77199-305-0, 168 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77160-363-8) Black-Indigenous alliances, and more. available as ebook) (University of Regina Press, $27.95 pb, Talking with Bears: Conversations 368 pages, with photos, ISBN: Find more non-fiction previews with Charlie Russell 978-0-88977-694-4, available as ebook) at prariebooksnow.ca G. A. Bradshaw This intimate portrait of Charlie Russell describes his philosophy of nature and his experiences through the stories of individual bears and what they taught

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 33 publisher feature | radiant press

Three-year-old Regina press aims to increase their genres, publish more books in a year Team came together from different paths, took over backlist from Hagios Press by David Jón Fuller

here’s something about the wide-open prairies that fosters creativity. For Debra Bell, publisher Tand managing editor of Radiant Press, it makes Regina an apt place to publish great books. “I think that Saskatchewan brings They all came to it from different unique voices and viewpoints to creative paths. CanLit,” she says. “Perhaps it is the “I worked for a publisher long cold winters and the feeling before I went on to work in event of isolation that invite a specific management, doing promotion and kind of thoughtful imagination and marketing for authors,” says Debra introspection to their work. Bell. “It was my favourite job, and I “That history of enduring brutal went from fundraising for non-profits weather and being surrounded to acquiring the backlist of a local by an ocean of wheat helps our publisher, while also establishing our writers connect to the terrible company. I already had connections loneliness of the human experience, to many Saskatchewan writers, and first-time authors, and we hope our which is a universal condition. It we continue to sell and promote audience is willing to give emerging also contributes to a panoramic their books. writers a chance.” imagination.” “John wanted to support my Radiant is still something of an She adds there are many visual dream, and he became the operations emerging press itself, and challenges artists in the province, and a high manager. Tania worked at a creative it faced in the beginning included number of writers per capita. agency, had extensive book design becoming a member of publishing Formed in 2017, Radiant Press experience, and I had met her in the associations and getting a distributor. publishes literary fiction, poetry, non-profit world. Mia is a visual “We had to have a minimum number and creative non-fiction. The press artist who is also tech-savvy, plus of books in print, which makes sense published five books in 2019 and will she is my daughter, so that was a – [just] having a backlist does not publish six in 2020, four of which great fit.” equal legitimacy as a publisher,” are by Saskatchewan writers, one They have published poetry by says Bell. by a Manitoban, and one by a Bernadette Wagner and Victor One of their current challenges is Quebec writer. Enns; fiction by Gloria Mehlmann promoting the company to aspiring Radiant also took over the and Trent Portigal; and non-fiction authors and readers in eastern backlist of Hagios Press, which had by Angela Long and Vic Cicansky, Canada, given the realities of been publishing for 21 years, and among other writers. advertising budgets for a small press. continues to distribute their titles. “We look for books that are unique Bell says that going forward, The people behind the company literary fiction or poetry generally; they would like to publish more are Bell, who works full-time; we agreed early on that we wanted speculative fiction and magic realism, book designer Tania Wolk, who to publish the best writing we could as well as adding graphic novels and works half-time; and publisher and find in Canada,” says Bell. “For us children’s books to their list. She’d operations manager John Kennedy, that means we don’t necessarily focus like to see the press grow to the and artist Mia Bell, who work on authors that are established. We point where they can publish 10 part-time. love to receive manuscripts from books a year.

34 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 The Teller from the Tale The Vivian Poems: Street Ven Begamudré Photographer Vivian Maier The three stories in this collection Bruce Rice The Teller blend myth with realism, old-fashioned These poems present the self-taught From The Tale storytelling with post-modern street photographer and nanny Vivian metanarrative. The writer’s wife Maier as an abrasive, compassionate, and ven begamudré comments on his telling of a sculptor meditative documentarian, while they and a princess in “Amar’s Gift,” a father’s also respond to and even translate her bedtime story receives constant feedback work, offering “spaces left in the tracks of from his daughter, son, and wife in birds” (from “Proofs of Winter”). “Rainbow Knights,” and in “Sushila Is (Radiant Press, $20.00 pb, 104 pages, at Home,” Lord Vishnu himself is the ISBN: 978-1-989274-29-3) audience. (Radiant Press, $22.00 pb, 180 pages, ISBN: 978-1-989274-24-8)

Radiant Press also acknowledges it novel, Strange Labour, by Robert G. Given the diversity in titles and is located on Treaty 4 Territory. “It Penner. the press’s ambitions for the future, is extremely important to us that we “Our spring books are The Vivian it seems that – as on the wide-open make space for Indigenous authors,” Poems by our current poet laureate, prairie – the sky really is the limit. says Bell, who notes they plan to Bruce Rice, and mystical realism by publish two books by Indigenous Ven Begamudré, The Teller from the authors in 2021. Tale.” “We feel that everyone should participate in the TRC calls to action, all voices are important, and we’d like to hear more Indigenous voices. We built our houses on their land.” When it comes to upcoming books Authentic she’s most excited about, Bell says that’s like asking a parent who their favourite child is. “We are excited Indigenous voices about all of our titles this year,” she says. This fall they will publish to read this summer Tiny Ruins, inter-connected flash fiction by first-time author Nicole Haldoupis, and a post-apocalyptic

“We feel that everyone should participate in the TRC calls to action,

all voices are important, by Brett D. Huson written and illus. by Katherena Vermette illus. by Natasha Donovan by Lisa Boivin illus. by Scott B. Henderson and we’d like to hear for ages 9+ for ages 12+ for ages 11+ more Indigenous voices.

We built our houses on highwaterpress.com their land.” DEBRA BELL

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 35 young adult & children An imagined program for young offenders to work with horses comes to life in teen novel Anita Daher’s character Eugenia learns how to face, acknowledge, move through tough feelings by Paula E. Kirman

YOU DON’T HAVE TO Canada’s existing Intensive Support DIE IN THE END and Supervision Programs, everything Anita Daher began falling into place – though to Yellow Dog Books-Great Plains Publications my knowledge there are no current $14.95 pb, 272 pages programs like my imagined one,” ISBN: 978-1-77337-043-9 she says. STEFANIUK BRIAN While Daher lives in Winnipeg, Anita Daher the novel is set in Alberta, due to he teen years are often difficult even under the best her first-hand research. She joined horse trainer Glenn of circumstances, but for Eugenia Grimm, whose Stewart as he took a group of horse-training students to T a fly-in hunting camp in the North Rockies to work with father died by suicide, whose brothers are drifting a free-range herd and strengthen their skills in natural away, and whose mother abandoned her, these years horsemanship. “After a week in that incredible place, I are particularly brutal. couldn’t imagine setting it anywhere else,” she says. The character of Eugenia drove the story for Daher. Eugenia, the main character in author Anita Daher’s “When I began this novel, I thought I was writing about latest young adult novel, You Don’t Have to Die in the connection – and I was. In one way or another, all of my End, is not making the most sensible decisions in life. novels are about that,” she says. A violent incident leads to the possibility of “But in journeying with this character, stumbling with incarceration, but fortunately she is instead sentenced to her, exploring her pain and her joys, she showed me it a program at a remote mountain ranch was about something much deeper, and in Alberta, where she has the opportunity that is what I wanted to share.” to turn her life around – if she makes the YOU DON’T Daher wants young readers to know that, right choices in the face of darkness. HAVE TO DIE while feelings can be overwhelming, we The novel was 10 years in the making. need to address our emotions in order to “In 2009, I learned about a program IN THE END move forward. “Face them. Acknowledge in the U.S. where inmates worked with A NOVEL them. Accept them. Honour them. And wild mustangs, gentled them, trained then live life,” she says. them, and readied them for sale,” Daher In fact, Daher feels so strongly about explains. “This program had a profound understanding one’s emotions that she impact on how they felt about themselves, wrote a note to readers at the end of the and how they related to others.” novel. Daher understood how this could “I wanted to allow my character work, having experience with horses opportunity to show how even though she

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F o e r th ge ea tt Br she says, “the world, all my stresses, ANITA DAHER ing How to and that her father is not to be blamed conflictions, everything, just fell away. All for his suicide, it is okay to feel angry. that mattered was our connection and Our emotions are honest. We can’t hate communication.” ourselves for what we feel. It is in acknowledging and Daher began to imagine a program where young addressing our truths that we can begin to process and offenders worked with horses. “After I learned of move forward.”

36 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 young adult & children

‘What could be more exciting than an assassin riding a dragon?’ Slade asks in new fantasy tale Middle-grade novel mixes humour, dark turns with the trial of learning who to trust by David Jón Fuller

DRAGON ASSASSIN a few steps removed. So there is a Arthur Slade Greek-like city state. And an empire Scholastic Canada Ltd. that’s a cross between the Roman $14.99 pb, 360 pages and Assyrian empires.” ISBN: 978-1-4431-7551-7 Carmen and her allies live a Available as an ebook perilous existence. They don’t know who to trust, nor their enemies’ reach, nor whether seeking sanctuary will ???????????????????????????????? s young readers will find in doom their loved ones. Sometimes Saskatoon-based Arthur Slade’s the betrayals cut deep. “My hope is that stories A “Learning who to trust is such a like these show how new middle-grade fantasy, you big part of growing up,” says Slade. can’t keep a good assassin down. “And learning to be someone who can important friendship Slade grew up reading Anne be trusted, too. McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern “My hope is that stories like these is when everything else books, and counts them as an show how important friendship is is falling into chaos inspiration for one of the central when everything else is falling into parts of Dragon Assassin, the first in chaos around you.” around you.” ARTHUR SLADE a trilogy. The situations are often grim. In it, Carmen is a young woman Brax’s fate before Carmen finds him “That said, many of the disturbing about to graduate from the Red was, at best, death, and at worst, events happen offstage and then the Adept Assassin School, in a world being exploited for the magical characters have to react to them. of empires and city states. Her twin properties of his body parts. And This gives the reader a chance to brother Corwin – responsible for the the disaster at the assassins’ school imagine the event happening but not loss of her eye – always seems one would be enough to give any of the participate in it directly. I think that step ahead of her. Their peers often characters nightmares. distance allows the reader a bit of a look down on her for her disability. Slade says he worked to balance cushion from the reality of the event.” But Carmen’s future depictions of horror Slade keeps his young audience is complicated when the with narrative choices in mind as Carmen faces defeat, graduation ceremony aimed at younger capture, and even death. turns into a bloodbath, readers. “It is an odd “That’s the power of fiction,” and even more so when mix of humour and he says. “It allows us to look at she makes a deal with a dark turns (which I complicated things (like morality captive dragon, Brax. hope balance out),” he or family relations) in a safe way. “What could be says. “I knew that I Who doesn’t not get along with their more exciting than didn’t want to hold back sibling once in a while? But what if an assassin riding a too much in terms of the your sibling was truly evil? Would dragon?” says Slade. dark moments because that change your relationship? “And in terms of the they are assassins and, “In a story, these types of questions world these assassins well, they have a rather are writ large and allow readers to inhabited, I wanted it unsavoury job to do. examine them on this other stage.” to reflect our world but

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 37 young adult & children

Teen’s relationship to social media changes when a big chatty bird enters her life Alice Kuipers’s parrot research laid the groundwork for middle-grade story

by Amanda Sanders

WORLD’S WORST PARROT her plans for the day – all Alice Kuipers of which are a lie. Ava’s Orca Book Publishers parents are going through $9.95 pb, 128 pages a divorce, and the reaction ISBN: 978-1-4598-2375-4 of her mother hasn’t made Available as an ebook anything easy. Kuipers says, “It’s hard for Ava when she sees askatoon-based author Alice Kuipers’s latest other people online living novel for middle-grade readers is World’s Worst amazing lives. She wants S to present that her life is Parrot, which follows Ava, a teen who strives for the perfect, too, although impression of perfection, and Mervin, an African it’s not.” grey parrot she inherited, as both of their lives go Kuipers believes that through major changes. social media and its pressures are a big part Parrots are complicated and of life for many people intelligent animals, as Kuipers learned now. “How do we make from a green-cheeked conure. “Years ourselves real online when that means facing reality?” she ago,” she says, “I owned a really says. “I think that’s an interesting question, and one Ava sweet little parrot called Fernando. has to answer in the book.” I learned a lot about how to train Mervin really throws a curveball into Ava and her parrots and how complicated they are family’s life, and he challenges some of Ava’s values that as companion animals from him.” need re-examining. Kuipers gained specific knowledge “The idea of a difficult and ungainly parrot being thrown of African grey parrots by attending into Ava’s mix felt like a ‘perfect’ way to make her story EMMA LOVE meetings of the Saskatoon Pet Bird come to life,” says Kuipers. Her “perfect” friends don’t Alice Kuipers Society, where a member had one support her the way she needs, her family doesn’t spend such bird. time together, and her social media presence is largely a lie – She says that type of bird fit perfectly into this story. Mervin was the solution. “African greys are the best linguists, and I needed a bird that Ava strives for social media stardom, and Kuipers loved could talk well for this story, and I needed a bird that was the prospect of getting her there in an unexpected way. quite big so he could fill up lots of space in Ava’s life!” “I thought it would be fun and challenging to put her in In creating the character Melinda, who teaches Ava how a situation where people were interested in her on social to care for Mervin, Kuipers was inspired by members of the media, but not for the reasons she wants. What does a Saskatoon Pet Bird Society. “It’s actually quite hard looking character do then? Do they change their ambition? Or after a parrot,” she says, “and they gave me lots of advice do they embrace the way life is taking them? Ava has to about how to keep a parrot happy and well looked after.” decide.” In the age of social media, the pressure to appear to have the perfect life can be overwhelming. This novel opens with Ava creating a social media post with the perfect lighting and the perfect caption about just finishing a workout and

38 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 early years chapter books meaning behind Scotty’s unusual facial more young adult horns and many wounds. & children titles The Ice Chips and the Stolen Cup (Harbour Publishing, $13.95 pb, 128 pages, picture books Roy MacGregor and Kerry MacGregor, with colour illustrations & photos, illustrated by Kim Smith ISBN: 978-1-55017-905-7) Just Enough Series Bundle Members of the Ice Chips hockey team Dr. Jillian Roberts, illustrated young adult fiction pretty much know what they’re doing by Cindy Revell as far as time travel goes, but this time The Automatic Age This series of four books provides an things go a bit haywire, and someone from GMB Chomichuk engaging introduction for very young the past leaves a very important trophy With evocative and stark illustrations, readers to the topics of reproduction, on their hometown rink – now they have this story of a father and son navigating diversity, death, and separation in a to figure out how to take it back to its an automated apocalypse portrays way that is gentle, age-appropriate, and rightful home. their struggle against the ever-present accessible. The titles include Where Do (HarperCollins, $16.99 hc, 208 pages, technological surveillance and the robot Babies Come From?, What Happens When a ISBN: 978-1-4434-5999-0, available as search teams that are out to remove all Loved One Dies?, Why Do Families Change?, ebook) humans. and What Makes Us Unique? (Yellow Dog-Great Plains, $14.95 pb, (Orca Book Publishers, $69.95 hc set, middle years graphic 112 pages, ISBN: 978-1-77337-040-8) ISBN: 978-1-4598-2532-1) novels

Critters: Underdark Spin Little Cloud: The Science of a Hurricane Allan Dotson Colleen Nelson Johanna Wagstaffe, illustrated A group of young monsters must work Fifteen-year-old Dizzy’s career as a by Julie McLaughlin together and overcome their differences to DJ is taking off, but her life gets very Beautifully detailed illustrations and a survive the hostile world of the Underdark complicated when a family secret – that compelling narrative integrate science after they escape from a crashed train her mother is the famous singer, Georgia and storytelling to show how a simple where they had been kept in cages. Waters – is revealed, just as Georgia comes cumulus cloud transforms into a full- (Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing, $19.95 pb, to town for a concert. blown hurricane. A whimsical and rich 160 pages, ISBN: 978-1-988783-43-7) (Dundurn, $12.99 pb, 296 pages, ISBN: layout includes sidebars, call-outs, and 978-1-45974-496-7, available as ebook) diagrams. Good Boys (Orca Book Publishers, $19.95 hc, 32 pages, GMB Chomichuk ISBN: 978-1-4598-2184-2, available as ebook) Cats at school bully Dogs to the point where Dogs are no longer attending, and Where Are You, Agnes? soon the bullying spreads throughout the Tessa McWatt, illustrated by Zuzanna Celej city. Using cats and dogs as an analogy, This imagining of the childhood of Agnes this graphic novel asks readers to examine Martin, a famous abstract expressionist their own biases – how they are learned artist, explores how what she sees and and the consequences of biases going feels in the Canadian Prairies in the early unchecked. 20th century – the straight horizon, the (Portage & Main Press, $29.00 pb, 80 pages, feeling of the sun, the movement of birds’ ISBN: 978-1-55379-752-4) wings, and shapes in the wheat – might have influenced her adult work. middle years non-fiction (Groundwood Books, $18.95 hc, 44 pages, Mega Rex: A Tyrannosaurus ISBN: 978-1-77306-140-5, available as ebook) Named Scotty W. Scott Persons IV Featuring profiles of “team rex” as well as illustrations and photos, this book provides an in-depth look at the largest and longest- lived T. rex ever found, including his discovery and the process of digging up a fossil, the lives of tyrannosaurs, and the

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 39 en français Quand le virtuel When virtual meets rencontre le réel reality Un nouveau roman jeunesse où la Community benefits from a video game communauté profite d’un jeu vidéo in new young adult novel par Lucien Chaput by Lucien Chaput

JUNK CITY JUNK CITY David Baudemont David Baudemont collection eSKapade collection eSKapade Les Éditions de la nouvelle plume (plume.refc.ca) Les Éditions de la nouvelle plume (plume.refc.ca) 14,95 $ papier, 190 pages $14.95 pb, 190 pages ISBN : 978-2-924237-63-2 ISBN: 978-2-924237-63-2

Junk City, personne ne fait cavalier seul. n Junk City, there are no solitary knights. Nobody À Personne ne gagne ou ne perd. Si les Iwins and nobody loses. If the producers go bankrupt, producteurs font faillite, les consommateurs the consumers leave. And the city dies. quittent et la ville meurt. Junk City, David Baudemont’s sixth young adult novel, Le sixième titre de littérature jeunesse de David is the result of a collaboration between the author and Baudemont, Junk City est le fruit d’une complicité 16 Grade 5 students of École canadienne-française in entre l’auteur et 16 élèves de cinquième année de l’École Saskatoon. In the course of 10 workshops, they developed canadienne-française de Saskatoon. Durant une dizaine the ideas and the characters used by the author to write d’ateliers, ils ont développé ensemble les idées et les the book. personnages utilisés par l’auteur pour écrire le livre. “One of the objectives of the workshops is to make them « L’un des buts des ateliers, c’est de les faire aimer la enjoy literature,” says the former geologist. “But it is also création littéraire », explique l’ancien géologue. « Mais an introduction to the process of creative writing. It is c’est aussi une initiation à la création. C’est un processus something that is more foreign to this generation because qui est un peu plus étranger à cette génération parce qu’ils they are used to getting these things from the Internet and ont l’habitude à aller chercher des choses less perhaps from writing them themselves. sur Internet et moins l’habitude peut-être “Students write short summaries of de l’écrire eux-mêmes. » stories inspired by a painting. They then « Les élèves écrivent de petits résumés vote on the story that pleases them the d’histoire à partir d’œuvres d’art. Ensuite, most. Once they’ve decided on the subject, ils votent pour l’histoire qui leur plait le there is a complete adherence from the plus. Quand ils ont trouvé le sujet, il y a whole group for that subject that concerns une espèce d’adhérence totale de tout le them in their actual lives.” groupe à ce sujet-là qui les concerne de For Junk City, the class chose a façon très actuelle. » summary – written by a student of Le résumé d’un jeune d’origine Moroccan origin – based on a Maude marocaine, inspiré d’un tableau art naïf Lewis folk art painting. de Maude Lewis, a été choisi. Baudemont Baudemont says, “The youngster dit, « Ce jeune a imaginé l’histoire d’un imagined the story of a boy who spends garçon qui passe beaucoup de temps a lot of time playing video games. His sur les jeux vidéo. Son père est marin et father, who is a fisherman, thinks that pense que c’est une perte de temps. Un this is a waste of time. One day, they leave jour, ils partent ensemble en bateau et by boat and are surprised by a storm.

40 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 Winter Willow of mixed heritage, is consumed by the search – feature characters who are schemers, Deborah-Anne Tunney to find his romantic ideal, a search that takes dreamers, adventurers, lovers, detectives, uneDur itempêteng a win ts’abater seas osurn in eux. the m Grâceid-197 0às ,l’ordinateur him bac k and forth between ReginaThanks and to hisand computer rogues. and his connections etM eseslan connexionsie, a young gr adedu jeuxate s tvidéo,udent, ils arriventWi nàn ipeg, and into the company ofwith colon ivideoal (games,EDGE Sc itheyence Fmanageiction an tod F findantas helpy and avoirtakes adu po secours.sition as a» personal assistant to ghosts, cosplay enthusiasts, and a swreturneet safely.”Publishing, $20.95 pb, 236 pages, StLesone, jeunesthe own onter o fdû an créer old m aquelquesnsion in t hnouveauxe pota to activist, among others. The studentsisbn : had(978 -to1-7 7create053-20 1a-4 few) video games jeuxneig hvidéobourh opourod, m leov livre,ing in yw comprisith him a nJunkd City(Tur,n cesto ne Press, $19.00 pb, 200 paofge stheir, own for the book, including Junk City, jeuhis avechous eleskee poubellesper, Celeste .d’une grande ville. isbn: 978-0-88801-677-5) a game withLo thest B ogarbageys cans of a big city. (E«n fOnield voit& W ichezzenty cette-Grea tgénération Plains, $21.9 5un pb ,souci très “We find Dina rthisci By youngsouth generation a very aigu196 p adege l’écologies, isbn: 978 -et1-7 du733 7problème-025-5) de déchetssh »,o rt fiction pronouncedE aconcernch of the 1for8 st otheries environmentin this debut co andllect ion dit Baudemont. « Ça revenait comme un des the problemsde passociatedicts a world iwithn the pwaste,”rocess o fsays unra velling, Even That Wildest Hope soucisThe W omajeursrk : comment est-ce qu’on va faire Baudemont.a s“It the camechara cbackters – basro tonehers of an thed sis majorters, Seyward Goodhand pourMari acontinuer Meindl à vivre sur cette planète avec les David Baudemont concerns: whatfathe willrs an dwe da udogh ttoers continue, widows a ntod tliveeena gers This debut collection of “post-human” problèmesA historian iécologiquess trying to w retite de ab odéchetsut the majeurs. » on this planet– fa cwithe losi ntheg w majorhat the yenvironmental hold most dear. stories is a chaotic but satisfying fabulist 19Qu’une80s thea tpoursuitere group Se solitairenseInSou ncommed, but un jeu vidéo ait problems and waste.”(T histledown Press, $20.00 pb, 328 pages, journey in the baroque tradition of Angela unha sélément little to gcommunautaireo on, unless stage mfutan touteager une révélation. That a solitary pursuitisbn :associated 978-1-77187- 1with75-4) video games Carter and Carmen Maria Machado. «R Disonsebecca W queeir açand nous actor ouvreAman dlesa G yeux,arten nous cinquantenaires, has in fact an element of community came as a revelation. (Invisible Publishing, $19.95 pb, 224 pages, soixantenaires,speak up about th facee cha àri squelquematic di rchoseector qu’on ne comprend “Let’s say that it opensTr ourave leyes,lers M thoseay St iofll Ruset whourn are in isbn: 978-1-98878-436-6) pasMa rbeaucouplin, who ha set t hquie st anoustus o fest a g upresqueru in th erébarbatif », dit-il. our 50s and 60s, whenMi cfacedhael K withenyo nsomething that we co«m Lepa ncôtéy, or communautéis it more of a c uestlt? absolument essentiel dans ce don’t understand veryC omuchmpris iandng tw iso off-putting,”novellas with ahe st osays.ry Fantastic Trains: An Anthology phénomène(Stonehouse Pdeub ljeuxishin vidéo.g, $19.9 5Il p by, a une dimension presque “The community dimensionin betwee nis, t absolutelyhis collectio nessential examine s of Phantasmagorical Engines and universelle260 pages, i squ’onbn: 978 ne-1- 9peut8875 4pas-16- 1nier) et il y a, est-ce que to this phenomenon ofw hvideoat hap games.pens wh Thisen div iser sanity almost is lost to c’est une fausse impression ou une vraie impressionRail Riders de universal dimension that we cannot deny, and there is an Edited by Neil Enock homogeneity, when we do not accept puissanceYams Do N oquit E xseis tdégage de tout ça. » impression, false or otherwise,parts of our sofel vpoweres, wh ethatn cla scomessificat iofromn These stories-on-a-trainall – sofpa nthis.” ning the Garry Thomas Morse genres of literary fiction, steampunk, space engulfs freedom. In this surrealistic display of literary opera, futurism, tragedy, magical realism, (Thistledown Press, $20.00 pb, 344 pages, opulence and allusion, Farinata Feck, a poet horror, comedy, urban fantasy, and more isbn: 978-1-77187-187-7)

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Prairie books NOW | fall winter 2019 20 13 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer/ 2020/ 41

35503-PbN-75-fall-winter19-20.indd 13 10/1/19 9:49 AM en français

Janus : Un chat à Short story collection’s deux visages et de titular tale invokes nouvelles perspectives two-faced cat and new « Tout est dans la façon dont on observe perspectives les choses », indique Lyne Gareau de cette ‘It’s all in the way you look at things,’ créature d'inspiration romaine Lyne Gareau says of the Roman-inspired creature par Liz Katynski by Liz Katynski

LE CHAT JANUS LE CHAT JANUS Lyne Gareau Lyne Gareau Les Éditions du Blé Les Éditions du Blé 19,95 $ papier, 184 pages $19.95 pb, 184 pages ISBN: 978-2-924915-18-9 ISBN: 978-2-924915-18-9 Disponible en livre électronique Available as an ebook

ISALOU ISALOU Lyne Gareau Lyne Gareau Les Éditions des plaines Les Éditions des Plaines 9,95 $ papier, 100 pages $9.95 pb, 100 pages ISBN: 978-2-89611-802-1 ISBN: 978-2-89611-802-1

n chat, une retraite, et un amour se profilent cat, retirement, and love can all be found in the Udans le nouveau livre de Lyne Gareau. A new collection of stories by Lyne Gareau. Le Chat Janus nous raconte trois histoires. Le tout se Le chat Janus shares three stories. All of them take passe en Colombie-Britannique, en français. place in British Columbia, in French. « J’écris la réalité de la Colombie-Britannique, en “I write about the reality of life in British Columbia, in français. C’est ce que j’aime écrire », dit l'auteure qui French. This is what I love to write,” says the author who est née au Québec et habite en Colombie- was born in Quebec but has lived in British Britannique depuis 40 ans. Elle a enseigné au Columbia for the past 40 years. primaire et ensuite à l’université, alors qu'un She once taught primary school, and then jour elle se rend compte que la vie filait et university, until one day she realized life was et qu'il fallait qu'elle quitte son travail pour passing her by, and she had to quit her job to écrire. Elle commence son premier livre, La write. She began her first book, La Librairie Librairie des Insomniacs, avant de quitter des Insomniacs, before she left Capilano son poste à Capilano University. University. Écrire à plein temps c’est beaucoup de Full-time writing is a lot of work, but, she travail, mais, dit-elle, « J’adore ça. J’ai says, “I love it. I have lots of ideas.” beaucoup d’idées. » The title story, “Le Chat Janus,” is inspired L’histoire de « Le Chat Janus » prend son by Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and inspiration de Janus, le dieu romain des endings. commencements et des fins.

42 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 « La protagoniste est prise entre le passé et le futur », dit “The protagonist is stuck between the past and the Gareau. « Elle a peur de réconcilier les regrets et peur du future,” says Gareau. “She is afraid to reconcile the past, futur. C’est un peu science-fiction, où on doit tout quitter and she is afraid of the future. It’s a bit of science fiction, pour trouver une solution. » where you have to leave everything behind in order to Il y a aussi un chat Janus, un chat avec une tête et deux find your solution.” visages, ce qui n’est pas normal, mais qu’on peut trouver There is also a Janus cat, a cat with one head and two beau de sa propre façon. faces, something that is not natural but that Gareau dit, « Tout est dans la façon dont on can be found to be beautiful in its own way. observe les choses. » Gareau says, “It’s all in the way you look La deuxième histoire, « Où on se trouve », at things.” c’est une œuvre de fiction autobiographique The second story, “Où on se trouve,” is qui emprunte de sa propre expérience de autobiographical fiction that shares her quitter son poste et commencer sa retraite de personal experience of leaving work and l’université avant l’âge de 60 ans. « Jamais on beginning her retirement before the age of 60. ne parle de la retraite dans la littérature. Il “We never talk about retirement in literature. fallait que je me dévoue à mon oeuvre, écrire. » I had to dedicate myself to my craft, writing.” Gareau écrit aussi des romans pour jeunes Gareau also writes young adult novels. Her adultes. Son plus récent, Isalou, c’est l’histoire Lyne Gareau most recent, Isalou, is the story of a young d’une petite fille qui voit le monde de deux girl who comes to see the world from two façons – comme Isabelle, petite fille et comme Isalou, perspectives – her own, as Isabelle, and that of a young petit loup. Elle fait sa transition avec un tambour wolf, as Isalou. She makes the transition with a magic magique. La fille découvre les loups sauvages du nord drum. de Bella Bella, Colombie-Britannique, chez le peuple The girl discovers the wild wolves north of Bella Bella, autochtone Heiltsuk. Elle se trouve dans le corps d’un British Columbia, the home of the Heiltsuk Nation. She petit loup. finds herself in the body of a young wolf. « Le tambour traverse la culture. Son tambour est tout “The drum is part of many cultures. Her drum is croche, pas comme les autres. Elle joue de ce tambour. different, not like the others. She plays it. She learns that La fille comprend que la vie c’est comme un cercle. Tout life is like a circle. Everything is connected.” se rejoint. » Gareau believes it is important for young people to Gareau croit que c’est important pour les jeunes learn how to see things from the perspective of others. d’apprendre à se mettre dans la peau des autres. She says, “The world will be a better place.” « Le monde irait mieux. »

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Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 43 Et fuir encore historical dramas, and musical comedies viennent de paraître Rossel Vien – for actors and spectators of all ages. en français Ce livre est une nouvelle édition du (Éditions de la nouvelle plume, théâtre Artémis vole au secours de la planète premier recueil de nouvelles de Rossel jeunesse, 20,00 $ papier, 152 pages, Ingrid Alesich, illustrations de Sean Vien, fils adoptif, méconnu, du Manitoba ISBN : 978-2-924237-60-1) Winburn, traduit par Martine Noël-Maw où il a vécu sa vie adulte, parue en 1972 Artémis, l’albatros, est bouleversée de voir sous un pseudonyme chez Hurtubise dans Monica-Claire au Festival du Voyageur d’énormes îles de déchets en plastique la collection L’arbre qui a accueilli Anne Ginette Fournier, illustrations dans les océans. Elle vole autour de la Hébert, Gabrielle Roy, Jacques Ferron, Yves de Chantal Piché planète pour découvrir d’où vient le Thériault. This book is a new edition of Ce deuxième tome de la collection plastique meurtrier. Ce livre est une Rossel Vien’s first short story collection, Monica-Claire est une histoire d’amitié belle introduction au besoin de protéger published in 1972 under a pseudonym by et de joie de vivre franco-canadienne, l’environnement. Artemis is an albatross the Québec publishing house Hurtubise in qui rend hommage au plus grand festival who loves our planet Earth. She is upset the prestigious L’arbre collection, alongside hivernal de l’Ouest canadien et à l’époque about huge islands of plastic garbage such greats as Anne Hébert, Gabrielle des voyageurs. This second picture book in the oceans. This book is an excellent Roy, Jacques Ferron, and Yves Thériault. in the Monica-Claire series is a story of introduction to the need to protect (Éditions du Blé, nouvelles, 19,95 $ papier, friendship and Franco-Canadian joie de the environment and the planet. 186 pages, ISBN : 978-2-924915-09-7, vivre that pays tribute to Western Canada’s (Éditions de la nouvelle plume, album disponible en livre électronique) biggest winter festival as well as the life jeunesse, 14,95 $ papier, 24 pages, and times of the fur trade voyageur. ISBN : 978-2-924237-61-8) Inédit (Éditions des Plaines, album jeunesse, Eric Plamondon 11,95 $ papier, 32 pages, ISBN : Buffet froid Cette pièce de l’auteur Métis 978-1-989282-17-5) Louise Dandeneau pluridisciplinaire (arts visuels, cinéma, Une série de nouvelles sur le thème de théâtre) Éric Plamondon s’inscrit dans Peines perdues la vengeance, ces brefs récits teintés l’oralité d’une langue française qui Gilbert Troutet d’humour noir démontrent une grande vient du cœur et des pensées, encore Les vingt nouvelles de ce recueil proposent imagination et un sens du rythme en formation, des personnes issues du une variété des situations où évoluent indéniable de la part de l’auteure. With territoire de la Rivière-Rouge. Inédit les héros de ces aventures. D’une plume vengeance as their theme, these short s’insère dans une tradition d’art Queer alerte, dans un style personnel et imagé, stories tinged with dark humour show qui vit son drame en subtilité. This play l’auteur nous fait ressentir les émotions the author’s vivid imagination and by Métis multidisciplinary artist Eric et les angoisses de ses personnages, qui an undeniable sense of rhythm. Plamondon finds its place in the orality sont autant de paysages intérieurs. Twenty (Éditions du Blé, nouvelles, 19,95 $ papier, of a French language that flows from the short stories present 20 different situations 136 pages, ISBN : 978-2-924915-15-8, hearts and minds of the peoples of the Red for the characters caught in these various disponible en livre électronique) River territory. Inédit is part of a Queer adventures. Through the author’s personal Art tradition that lives its drama subtly. and vivid style, the reader feels the Contes bleus à encre économe (Éditions du Blé, Nouvelle collection Rouge, fears and emotions and discovers the Ian C. Nelson théâtre, 14,95 $ papier, 52 pages, ISBN : internal landscape of each character. L’auteur a créé une série de micro nouvelles 978-2-924915-12-7, disponible en livre (Éditions de la nouvelle plume, nouvelles, où il invite le public à trouver les liens et électronique) 18,00 $ papier, 180 pages, ISBN : les thèmes qui lui semblent intriguants et 978-2-924237-66-3) surprenants. Un texte économe peut bien Le jongleur de Notre-Dame et autres cacher des surprises! In this collection of saynètes pour jeunes et moins jeunes Tout petit toi microfiction, the author invites his readers Marcien Ferland Richard Van Camp, illustrations de Julie to find the links and themes that are Du conte à la comédie, du drame historique Flett, traduit par Rachel Martinez intriguing and surprising. With few words, à la comédie musicale, ces courtes pièces Cet album cartonné au ton poétique, one can definitely hide many surprises! de théâtre ont été conçues pour initier les destine aux bébés et aux bambins, célèbre (Éditions de la nouvelle plume, nouvelles, jeunes aux arts dramatiques. Les élèves du tous les enfants du monde et la joie qu’ils 18,00 $ papier, 96 pages, ISBN : primaire et du secondaire tout autant que y apportent. This poetic board book for 978-2-924237-65-6) les adultes trouveront plaisir à les jouer et babies and toddlers celebrates all the à les voir sur scène. This collection of short joy that children bring to the world. plays was created to initiate children to the (Orca Book Publishers, album cartonné, dramatic arts – tales, comedy sketches, 19,95 $ couverture rigide, 26 pages, ISBN : 978-1-4598-2544-4, disponible en livre électronique)

44 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 Dispatches

Insights from an Indigenous educator

“The Maemaegawaehnssiwuk did not appear to all children, only to those who lost their way and needed to be brought home and restored to their families.” BASIL JOHNSTON, THE MANITOUS: THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD OF THE OJIBWAY, 1995

by Greg Pruden

here do I come from? Where am I going? Why • A Really Good Brown Girl by Marilyn Dumont, am I here? Who am I? The Honourable Justice • North End Love Songs by Katherena Vermette, W • Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, Senator Murray Sinclair identifies these existential and the Loss of Aboriginal Life by James Daschuk, questions as key to a child’s education. • Stolen City: Racial Capitalism and the Making of This is especially true for Indigenous students who live Winnipeg by Owen Toews, in a colonial society that continues to deny and reject • In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier, the legitimacy of Indigenous worldviews and to erase • The Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway, and many, Indigenous identity and presence. many others. Educators understand that in order for Indigenous Prairie books such as these can equip those Indigenous students to achieve the academic success and sense of well- students who are lost in a confusing and dangerous world being necessary to flourish in Canadian society, education with the knowledge,JB0056 FC FBD strength,Prairie Now and Ad r1.pdfconfidence 1 2019-06-19to find their 3:00 PM must point students toward the answers to those questions way back home. posed by Senator Sinclair. Education for Indigenous students must, like the Maemaegawaehnssiwuk (the little people of the oral tradition of the Anishinaabek), help to bring those students who are lost back “home.” That is, education must help Indigenous children to discover themselves, to know the true history of their nations and the true colonialist history of Canada, to experience the beauty and profundity of traditional teachings, and to share the stories of Indigenous men and women and boys and girls whether contemporary or of the past. There is no generic, one-size-fits-all culture among books Indigenous nations; each is unique. Prairie schools and classrooms should include texts and other resources that matter. explore and reflect the specific histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples of the Prairies. Luckily for teachers and students, there are more quality titles than ever by Prairie authors, both Indigenous and not, doing just that. It would be impractical to attempt a comprehensive listing of quality books with a focus on the Indigenous Prairie experience. However, such a list, intended for high school students and teachers, would include recent and not-so-recent titles such as: • Rooster Town: The History of an Urban Métis Community, 1901–1961, by Evelyn Peters, Donovan Bergman Matthew Stock, and Adrian Werner, [email protected] • Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Métis, 204.319.8114 friesens.com and Inuit Issues in Canada by Chelsea Vowel,

Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 45 about our contributors melanie brannagan frederiksen is Bev Sandell Greenberg is a Winnipeg credits a writer and critic living in Winnipeg. writer and editor. Her poems have most recently appeared managing editor Anastasia Chipelski Liz Katynski is a Winnipeg writer. in GUSH: Menstrual Manifestos for our editor Marjorie Poor Times and CV2. Her book reviews are Liz Katynski est une écrivaine de ambp executive director Michelle Peters published regularly in the Winnipeg Winnipeg. copy editing Heidi Harms, Lucien Chaput, Free Press. Paula E. Kirman is a writer, editor, photographer, and filmmaker. She and Liz Katynski Shirley Byers is a freelance writer lives in Edmonton where she edits graphic design Relish New Brand based in Saskatchewan. Experience Inc. two community newspapers, and is a A former journalist for the Franco- community organizer and a performing advertising sales Michael Wile, Manitoban weekly La Liberté, Lucien singer/songwriter. Her website is [email protected] Chaput is a freelance writer and editor wordspicturesmusic.com. based in Bélair, Manitoba. The views expressed in Prairie books NOW is a Toronto-based do not necessarily reflect the views of Laura Kupcis Ancien journaliste à l’hebdomadaire freelance writer and editor. the Association of Manitoba Book franco-manitobain La Liberté, Lucien is a poet, writer, and Publishers, the Managing Editor, or the Chaput est un pigiste en rédaction et en Kyla Neufeld Editor of Prairie books NOW. édition établi à Bélair (Manitoba). editor. She lives in Winnipeg with her Prairie books NOW is made possible with husband and daughter. Margaret Anne Fehr is a freelance the financial support of The Canada writer and editor who moved from Laura McKay is a speculative fiction Council for the Arts, the Government Winnipeg to Milton, Ontario, where writer. Inspired by the Dresden Files, of Canada, the Manitoba Arts Council, she operates her writing practice, her current work-in-progress brings Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage, Effective Eloquence. Margaret Anne has fast-paced, thought-provoking mystery and the Winnipeg Arts Council. written for Yellow Pages, NextHome and magic to the streets of Winnipeg. Advertising rates are available upon publications, the Winnipeg Free Press, Laura is also managing editor at Portage request; email [email protected]. Toronto Home, and a variety of trade & Main Press, a freelance writer, and Discounts are available for contract and membership magazines. editor. advertisers. is a Winnipeg writer After 15 years teaching high school We welcome all letters to the editor and David Jón Fuller and editor. English, drama, history, and French, other submissions on matters of interest Greg Pruden served as a First Nations, to readers of Prairie books NOW. We reserve Margaret Goldik is a Montreal editor, Métis, and Inuit Perspectives consultant the right to select and edit submissions. and now that she has retired from the for Manitoba Education for about 15 Prairie books NOW is published by the ABQLA (l’Association des bibliothécaires years, retiring in August 2019. Association of Manitoba Book Publishers. du Québec/Quebec Library Association), she is working on her neglected short Luis Reis is a 30-year veteran with It is published two times per year for Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre. Some of distribution free of charge in selected stories. his directing credits include An Enemy Canadian locations. Bulk rates to Ian Goodwillie is an active freelance of the People (Arthur Miller), And Then institutions are available upon request. writer who works for publications like There Were None (Agatha Christie), issn 1201-5962. Industry West, ScreenRant, Comic Book and Tempest-Tost (Robertson Davies). Subscriptions are available for $12.75 Resources, and What Culture. per year. Send cheques payable to the Amanda Sanders lives in Leduc, Ariel Gordon is a Winnipeg writer. Association of Manitoba Book Publishers. Alberta, and is a stay-at-home mom Her next collection of poetry, TreeTalk to her two-year-old son. Printed in Manitoba, Canada by Winnipeg, will be out in fall 2020 with The Prolific Group. At Bay Press. Prairie books NOW 100 Arthur Street, Suite 404, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada r3b 1h3 bookends tel (204) 947-3335 Prairie books NOW values your feedback. home of the Pack as the Reserve. In fact, [email protected] Please send your comments to the Pack lives on the Preserve in the book. prairiebooksnow.ca [email protected]. In order to Wondering how to order? reach Prairie books NOW via phone, please While we wish we could pass on your call the Association of Manitoba Book orders to bookstores or wholesalers in your Publishers at (204) 947-3335. region, it is best for you to direct order any On the cover: Louis Riel Day by Sheldon or all of the books in Prairie books NOW Dawson Acrylic on poster board, 8" x 8". through the trade bookstore or wholesaler Correction: In the article “Teen werewolf you normally deal with. The information who couldn’t change deserved her own provided with every article is there novel” from Issue 75, we referred to the to make ordering from a bookstore or wholesaler as easy as possible.

46 Prairie books NOW | spring/summer 2020 NONFICTION FOR AGES 9–12 Feel the power of the powwow dance “Clearly organized and educational— an incredibly useful tool for both school and public libraries.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“An enriching, information-rich resource that centers an Indigenous perspective.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Attractive, informative, and essential for By Anishinaabe dancer, educator, writer, artist and orator diverse collections.” orcaorigins.com Kar󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪Ǫ󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪�Ǫ󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪ǪǪǪǪ󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪Ǫ�󰇪󰇪󰇪󰇪 —Booklist

BRAVE & BRILLIANT • LITERARY SERIES •

DENDRITE BALCONIES THE RED CHESTERFIELD AIR SALT: A Trauma Mémoire THE MANHATTAN PROJECT Sean Braune Wayne Arthurson as a Result of the Fall Ken Hunt Ian Kinney

978-1-77385-095-5 PB | $18.99 CAD 978-1-77385-077-1 PB | $18.99 CAD 978-1-77385-112-9 PB | $18.99 CAD 978-1-77385-054-2 PB | $18.99 CAD

As the author dies, the reader is Gangsters. Yard sales. Politics. A Ian Kinney fell seven stories, and he The hands of humans split the born. In this frenetic, dissociative severed foot. How far is one person survived. A memoir written by an atom and reshaped the world. collection Sean Braune harvests the willing to go to issue a bylaw ticket? amnesiac, Air Salt un/writes trauma The Manhattan Project traces the language around us, reassembling The Red Chesterfield is a delightful, and recovery using poetry as neuro path of nuclear discovery from the textual fragments into poetic unusual novella that upends the rehabilitation. Pleistocene to the Anthropocene in sculptures. traditions of crime fiction. necropastoral poetry.

@ UCalgaryPress press.ucalgary.ca FRESHFRESH SUMMERSUMMER READSREADS

Peculiar Lessons: Where the Waters Meet The Automatic Age You Don't Have to How Nature and the Die in the End Stéphanie Boulay GMB Chomichuk Material World Shaped 978-1-77337-034-7 978-1-77337-040-8 Anita Daher a Prairie Childhood “Her language, which ranges “Desperate, suspenseful 978-1-77337-043-9 Lois Braun from imaginative to absurd, is action in a nightmarish “A provocative and compelling 978-1-77337-037-8 wholly unique, and that’s what scenario.” story that will leave you both makes the book such an — Kirkus Reviews emotionally raw, and satisfied.” Part memoir, part social enjoyable read.” history, this essay collection — Eric Walters explores the elements that — Québec Reads form the backdrop to Braun’s memories of growing up mid-20th century on a farm in southern Manitoba.

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