Song of Rita Joe: Autobiography of a Mi'Kmaq Poet - Softcover

Joe, Rita

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0921556594 ISBN 13: 9780921556596

Publisher: Ragweed Press / Gynergy Books, 1996

Synopsis

Here is the enlightening story of an esteemed and eloquent Mi’kmaq woman whose message of “gentle persuasion” has enriched the life of a nation.

Rita Joe is celebrated as a poet, an educator, and an ambassador. In 1989, she accepted the Order of Canada “on behalf of native people across the nation.” In this spirit she tells her story and, by her example, illustrates the experiences of an entire generation of aboriginal women in Canada.

Song of Rita Joe is the story of Joe’s remarkable life: her education in an Indian residential school, her turbulent marriage, and the daily struggles within her family and community. It is the story of how Joe’s battles with racism, sexism, poverty, and personal demons became the catalyst for her first poems and allowed her to reclaim her aboriginal heritage. Today, her story continues: as she moves into old age, Joe writes that her lifelong spiritual quest is ever deepening.

About this title

Review

"Rita Joe's heart-wrenching and triumphal autobiography will deeply touch the hearts of its readers. Hers is an inspiring story of survival, endurance, love, and achievement."oA. LaVonne Brown Ruoff.

From the Back Cover

Straight from the heart, Rita Joe tells the story of her remarkable life: her tumultuous childhood in foster homes, education in an Indian residential school, turbulent marriage and daily struggles with prejudice, sexism and poverty. Over time, these battles led her to discover her poetic voice which helped her reclaim her Aboriginal heritage. In the fascinating final part of her story, Rita Joe writes movingly about old age, her lifelong spiritual quest and the promise of renewed hope and healing.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ragweed Press / Gynergy Books
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0921556594
• ISBN 13: 9780921556596
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208