Description
Keeper'n Me has been reissued in this 2006 reprint. Ojibwe newspaper columnist, Richard Wagamese weaves a fascinating story about an Ojibwe man who was taken by Children's Aid as a child and after a series of foster homes finally escapes. Unfortunately his freedom is curtailed when life on the streets results in jail time. To his good fortune his Ojibwe family locates him and he returns to the reserve. The homecoming is at times humourous, poignant and emotional. An integral part of this return is a return to Ojibwe spiritual teachings that were denied to him. Expertly woven into the story-line and dialogue are specific teachings about smudging, the drum, the land, the animals, the four directions, the stories and the role of Elders. The important roles of men and women are explained to the youth who has only been seen all that is negative about the patriarchal system. This is a positive story that provides a unique bridge to understand traditional oral teachings through the written word. This important contribution to Aboriginal literature is accessible to high school students as well as post-secondary and adult readers. Keeper'n Me is a grade 10, 11, and 12 authorized student support for English Language Arts courses in Alberta. ATOS Reading Level: 5.3. Author