For The Children

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For the Children is the newly published posthumous book of poetry by renowned Mi'kmaw poet Rita Joe (1932-2007). The publisher, Breton Books, collected previously published poems a nd more recent poems that were written when illness entered Rita Joe's life. Black ink woodcuts of animals drawn by Burland Murphy are included throughout the volume. Rita Joe was born in Wycocomagh, Cape Breton Island and attended Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. Her first book of poetry was published in 1978. Since that time she has offered readers accessible poems about the Aboriginal Peoples of the East Coast, the Mi'kmaq, prejudice and discrimination, education, family, and the environment. This volume is just as important and remains accessible for secondary school students and adults. The initial poem, Keskmsi, is tucked inside the front cover and offers simple advice to others. It offers readers' permission to just write as Joe herself began with simple and short words. The next entry, Old Stories, sets the stage for topics and issues presented in the following poems. Prejudice Is Something We Can Do Without is a poem that speaks clearly and to the point. Another poem, The Legend of the Sky Bear, offers readers access into Mi'kmaq spirituality. This collection provides hope amid the pain and sadness of chronic illness that became part of Rita Joe's later years. But her poems will continue to live into the future and provides everyone a book of poetry for those who don't particularly appreciate the power and language of poetry. Highly recommended. This book is selected as a recommended title in the 2009 First Nations Libraries Community Reads program. Show more