Living in the Tall Grass
Poems of Reconciliation
- Publisher
- Durvile Publications Ltd.
- Initial publish date
- Jan 2018
- Category
- Indigenous, Native American, Canadian
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781988824055
- Publish Date
- Jan 2018
- List Price
- $19.95
-
CD-Audio
- ISBN
- 9781988824369
- Publish Date
- Jan 2018
- List Price
- $19.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
“We should not have to change to fit into society the world should adapt to embrace our uniqueness.” -- Chief Stacey Laforme In Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation, Chief Stacey Laforme gives a history of his people through stories and poetry to let non-Indigenous people see through the eyes of Indigenous people. Living in the Tall Grass is written in a way that makes the reader feel he or she might be sitting down with Chief Laforme, sharing experiences from their lives. Some poems share humour, while others express pain, though each comes from the heart.
About the authors
Contributor Notes
Stacey Laforme was born on a cold December morning into a life of alcoholism and abuse. At fifteen, he left home and lived on the street, eventually finding a home with both of his grandmothers. He started his first job at twelve years old, eventually going into the family business and joining the iron workers union. He attended college late in life. He retired from iron work and, as he admits, “If I am honest, I was not the best at iron work.” After his mother passed away at the age of fifty, he was elected to council. He ran and was elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Anishnabe in December 2015, a few months after his father passed away. Chief Laforme says, “I am dedicated to my people, and to all the people who live within our treaty lands.” Chief LaForme recently became only the third Honorary Senior Fellow of Massey College, joining the Duke of Edinburgh and the Chancellor of Oxford University in the rarest honour the college can bestow.
Excerpt: Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation (by (author) R. Stacey Laforme; by (photographer) Tara Laforme)
Peace
A river flowing slowly along, caressing the shore A beautiful sunrise, as the birds welcome a new day Trees whispering to each other, as the wind moves among them The beautiful face of grandmother moon, as she rises majestically over the forest The sparkle, as the young discover true love for the first time A smile that crosses the face of the newly wed A good night kiss for a child, that speaks of unconditional love The connection between two who have spent a lifetime in the company of each other Peace is a calmness that radiates out from the soul Lasting for many of us mere moments for the lucky few a life time, and for some seemingly unattainable Yet, even if stolen in seconds or measured in moments, it is a treasure A warm caress from the creator, that promises love and eternity A gift we would share, a gift with no cost and no reward A gift from the heart, a gift of peace A gift, from the creator to be shared among all Peace.
Editorial Reviews
Laforme is a high-profile leader, attending scores of events, large and small in Ontario and gently reminding listeners that most of the southern part of the province is the traditional homelands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. True to his belief in the longer-lasting impact of the arts, he’ll often open a speech with a verse. “The future lies in the arts, and it lies in all our youth, not just the Indigenous youth,” he says. “Arts make change … if we can share a moment through the arts whether its song, dance, poetry, painting, it transcends even language barriers. “
— Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator
