Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water
By Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair (Editor) and Warren Cariou (Editor)
This anthology of Aboriginal writings from Manitoba takes readers back through the millennia and forward to the present day, painting a dynamic picture of a territory interconnected through words, ideas, and experiences. A rich collection of stories, poetry, nonfiction, and speeches, it features:
- Historical writings from important figures
- Vibrant literary writing by eminent Aboriginal writers
- Nonfiction and political writing from contemporary Aboriginal leaders
- Local storytellers and keepers of knowledge from far-reaching Manitoba communities
- New, vibrant voices that express the modern Aboriginal experiences
- Anishinaabe, Cree, Dene, Inuit, Métis, and Sioux writers from Manitoba
Created in the spirit of the Anishinaabe concept debwe (to speak the truth), The Debwe Series is a collection of exceptional Aboriginal writing from across Canada. Manitowapow, a one-of-a-kind anthology, is the first book in The Debwe Series. Manitowapow is the traditional name that became Manitoba, a word that describes the sounds of beauty and power that created the province.
Because the editors want to give back to the local Aboriginal communities that have inspired them with their words, Niigaan and Warren have chosen to donate the proceeds from Manitowapow to a special fund administered through the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture at the University of Manitoba. This fund supports literacy and creative writing initiatives among Manitoba’s Aboriginal youth. Many of the book’s contributing authors and copyright holders have also joined in this initiative by donating their fees to help support the next generation of Aboriginal writers.
