The narrative follows a broken man who, through his lyrical and intimate observations of nature, confronts complex personal and social issues. As he grapples with his hidden misery and joy, he embraces his talent for storytelling and poetry, ultimately sharing his profound experiences with the world. The work captures the essence of vulnerability and connection, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys.
Written and illustrated in the tradition of the Kwantlen people, Joseph Dandurand's second book is an endearing tale of two sisters and their connection with nature. In the water sat a sturgeon, born there, so they say, thousands of years ago, though the sturgeon themselves have been here for two hundred million years. It was at first a little egg, a big egg, born into the river. Now the sturgeon is back but how did it get here? How did the first sturgeon come to be? Earth and the river, moons and suns and clouds. Time, thousands of years and the Skwó wech has seen it all. But what gift does the sturgeon have for us? So begins this second charming story for children by Kwantlen storyteller Joseph Dandurand. The sturgeon, spirit of the great river, eludes human fishers until two young sisters neglect to follow their mother's instructions. What follows provides a moving exploration of the importance of sharing and kinship with all other living things. The story is told with grace and simplicity by a master storyteller in the great tradition of the Kwantlen people. Accompanied by Elinor Atkins's illustrations, A Magical Sturgeon is a touching follow-up to Dandurand's bestselling children's book The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets.
Written by Kwantlen storyteller and award-winning poet Joseph Dandurand, this children's story weaves cultural narratives and vibrant imagery to engage young readers. It emphasizes themes of identity, heritage, and the importance of storytelling in preserving traditions. Through imaginative characters and relatable experiences, the book invites children to explore their own stories while celebrating the richness of Indigenous culture.
Exploring themes of land, family, and cultural wisdom, the poems delve into the challenges faced by Aboriginal individuals in education, family dynamics, and self-respect. The author highlights the resilience and strength of Aboriginal communities in Canada, emphasizing their determination to reclaim their history and culture. Through personal and collective struggles, the work showcases the profound connection between identity and community, celebrating the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples.
A tale of a Kwantlen man who has been given the gift of healing but also is a heroin addict living on the eastside, what drove the author to write this book of poems was how the voice of the Healer came to him and it was with ease that each poem showed itself. It was if he were right there either talking to a Sasquatch or crawling down an alley on the eastside of Vancouver. It almost has a film quality to it as if each poem is a scene from an epic tale. This is a book of hope, loss, and hopefully a sense of redemption for all the poor souls who find themselves on the street and lost from where they truly come from.