New Mi’kmaw book of traditional stories released
“Our Grandmothers’ Words” launches May 3 in Eskasoni
Eskasoni First Nation, NS, April 26, 2013 – As the title suggests, Our Grandmothers’ Words: Traditional Stories for Nurturing, the latest Mi’kmaw/English publication from CBU Press, comes from a desire by Elders to share traditional knowledge with a new generation.
This book combines the Grandmothers’ – Murdena Marshall, Diana Denny, Flo Young and Susie Marshall – understandings for pregnancy and birth alongside a number of stories in turn recollected from their own grandmothers.
Assisted by researchers Prune Harris and Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Science, Our Grandmothers’ Words shares knowledge and wisdom from teachings passed down from women to women, over the generations.
The book is built around Sali’j, a young Mi’kmaw woman who, when she learns she is pregnant seeks guidance from her mother, grandmother and godmother. As is the Mi’kmaw way, she is encouraged and instructed little by little, story by story.
The twelve stories in the volume have been related by grandmothers and are recorded in Mi’kmaw with English translations.
The book also features the work of Mi’kmaw visual artist Gerald Gloade, whose striking paintings complement the traditional teachings and stories.
Nkij’inen Teluet Kina’matnewe’l Telimuksi’ki We’wkl Atukwaqnn / Our Grandmothers’ Words: Traditional Stories for Nurturing, will be in stores May 1, and officially launched at Chief Allison M. Bernard Memorial High School in Eskasoni at 10 a.m., on Friday, May 3.
Everyone is welcome.