David Bouchard

"The secret of your name is out," writes David Bouchard in this poetic bilingual picture-book, addressing himself to his own indigenous grandmother, and, more generally, to the indigenous ancestors of Canada's mixed-blood Métis people. "I don't know where to start / I can only say I'm sorry / That no one ever spoke of you / That I was never told of you" he continues, highlighting the poignant reality that, for many Métis, being part native was once considered something shameful - something show more to be hidden. Now, in this declaration of pride, this expression of love, Bouchard attempts to atone - in both English and Michif - for the way in which the Anishnaabe, Chippewa, Menominee and Innu grandmothers of the Métis were erased from history, even by their own descendants, and vows to reclaim this lost part of his own heritage.

The Secret of Your Name is the fifth bilingual picture-book I have read from Bouchard - the others include An Aboriginal Carol (English/Inuktitut), Long Powwow Nights (English/Mi'kmaq), The Drum Calls Softly and Nokum Is My Teacher (both English/Cree) - and it is one of the most poignant. It cannot be an accident that it also happens to be the one that tells Bouchard's own story, and addresses his own Métis identity. I was so moved by the reality behind this poem: the denial of Métis ancestry, the way that Bouchard only learned who he truly was later in life, and was reminded of Joseph Bruchac's similar story, of discovering that he was Abenaki (another indigenous group that went into hiding, in their case, to avoid the insanity of the Vermont Eugenics Program).

Bouchard's apology to his grandmother, his obvious yearning for a deeper connection to her, is so very heartbreaking! His compelling narrative, in both English and Michif, is accompanied by the artwork of Métis artist Dennis J. Weber, and the fiddling of Métis fiddler John Arcand (whose work I will be seeking out on CD!). The overall experience of reading this book, looking at its artwork, and listening to its narration and accompanying music, is incredibly powerful. I recommend this to any reader interested in the Métis, their history, language and culture.

Note: I also recommend, for those interested in the Michif language, the recent alphabet book, Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif / Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet. show less

A young Cree boy questions the necessity of learning to read and studying outside ways in this thoughtful bilingual picture-book, with text in both English and Cree. He wonders what use he will have for the skills taught in school, and asks whether whites have any reciprocal interest in the Cree culture. His wise Nokum, or grandmother, responds to each of his queries with a question of her own, helping him to think through the issues for himself.

Like David Bouchard's more recent The Drum show more Calls Softly, Nokum Is My Teacher includes a CD containing a narration of both the English and Cree versions of the story, together with singing and drumming by the pow-wow group, Northern Cree. This is quite helpful for those, like me, who have never heard Cree spoken aloud, and would have no idea how to pronounce the written words. The "background" sounds reflect what's happening in Allen Sapp's illustrations, which depict the young boy and his Nokum on a sleigh ride through a winter landscape. Well worth the time of any reader, young or old, with an interest in this First Nation people, or in the broader question of cross-cultural learning and exchange! show less

The Elders Are Watching by Dave Bouchard and Roy Henry Vickers. This is a deceptively beautiful book. Vickers' art work is absolutely stunning, true to his Native roots and just mesmerizing. His use of both bright colours, as well as muted colours and superimposed imagery is brilliant. Bouchard's verse is also lovely. The themes of this book include culture, heritage, environment and, hopeful reconciliation. Although it was published in 1990, it feels incredibly timely today. I had planned show more on passing this book along but I think I want to hang onto it a bit longer, to look through it again.

Both artist and author live in British Columbia show less

Metis children's author David Bouchard, whose previous bi-lingual picture-books include Nokum Is My Teacher and The Drum Calls Softly - both of which feature text and CD narration in English and Cree - here turns his attention to the Mi'kmaq people. Teaming up with co-author Pam Aleekuk, also Metis, Bouchard delivers another poetic meditation on an important aspect of First Nations life: the powwow.

A child remembers her mother in Long Powwow Nights, her joy in fancy-dancing, and the mystery show more and meaning of the dancers and their traditional regalia: "Meegwetch mystic dancers - dark Ravens you were... / Tricksters - magicians - to most a mere blur / To me you were everything I was to be / Like my loving mother, I longed to be free..." The English narrative is paired with a Mi'kmaq translation, done by Patsy Paul-Martin (which information is only to be found on the colophon), and both versions can be heard on the accompanying CD, which also contains music by singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie.

The beautiful illustrations by Mi'kmaq artist Leonard Paul are immensely striking, and I found the portraits of the woman dancer in profile (the mother, I assume?), particularly lovely. The depictions of the male dancers, in full regalia and facial decoration, have real power - it is easy to see why the narrator would think them tricksters or magicians. All in all, this a very satisfactory book and CD, that should be most welcome to young readers interested in the Mi'kmaq people and language. As someone with an interest in linguistic diversity, I'm really happy to see the proliferation of these bilingual titles. There need to be more of them! show less