On March 5, 2024 member and Vice President Barbara R. presented on Métis author, Cherie Dimaline.  The presentation’s descriptions and analyses of her 10 books began with Dimaline’s children’s books, then young adult books, and finally adult books.  Barbara highlighted the impressive breadth of the author’s work.  The subjects of the books vary widely, including a futuristic dystopia, a horror story based on the Métis Rogarou legend, re-contextualization of two “classic” children’s and young adult books, a collection of short stories, and an autobiographical story about living with anxiety. 

In various online interviews and blogs, Dimaline explains her goals of writing relevant and realistic books about indigenous lives for indigenous readers, something missing when she was growing up, as well as writing for non-indigenous readers.  Barbara R. discussed her own concerns about her ability to understand, let alone critique, the literary works of a person belonging to another culture.  To help answer these concerns, she found guidance in various articles and online websites about literary criticism and culture.  Since she did not yet feel knowledgeable enough about traditional and contemporary indigenous lives and values to adequately use the cultural literary theory of critique, she chose other theories, such as formalism, reader-response and feminist theory when evaluating Dimaline’s work. 

Barbara highly commended Dimaline’s writing talents which include creative plots and settings, nuanced characters, clear and evocative writing, and inclusion of real indigenous histories, communities, and perspectives.  A lively discussion followed with many members contributing insightful questions and perspectives.

Barbara R. & Shawna M.

On March 12, we will be joined by guest speaker Francine Cunningham. Ms. Cunningham is currently the Distinguished Writer in Residence at the University of Calgary.

Interested in joining us as a guest? Click on Contact Us here or on the menu.