Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to search

Social Science Indigenous Studies

Northern Wildflower

by (author) Catherine Lafferty

foreword by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

with Katłı̨̀ą

Publisher
Fernwood Publishing
Initial publish date
Sep 2018
Category
Indigenous Studies, Native Americans
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781773630403
    Publish Date
    Sep 2018
    List Price
    $23.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781773630410
    Publish Date
    Nov 2018
    List Price
    $22.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Northern Wildflower is the beautifully written and powerful memoir of Catherine Lafferty. With startling honesty and a distinct voice, Lafferty tells her story of being a Dene woman growing up in Canada’s North and her struggles with intergenerational trauma, discrimination, poverty, addiction, love, and loss. Focusing on the importance of family ties, education, spiritualism, cultural identity, health, happiness, and the courage to speak the truth, Lafferty’s words bring cultural awareness and relativity to Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike, giving insight into the real issues many Indigenous women face and dispelling misconceptions about what life in the North is like.

About the authors

 

Catherine Lafferty grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where she was primarily raised by her grandparents, who instilled in her a sense of pride in who she is and where she comes from. Catherine honours her First Nation background through her position as a Council Member for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Her hobbies include writing, creating music and film, and spending time with her family.

 

Catherine Lafferty's profile page

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's profile page

Katłı̨̀ą is a northern Dene woman who spends her time between her ancestral homelands in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Lekwungen Speaking Peoples Coast Salish Territory. She is the author of multiple books, including a memoir, Northern Wildflower, written as Catherine Lafferty. Katłı̨̀ą is a mother, grandmother and articling lawyer.

Katłı̨̀ą's profile page

Excerpt: Northern Wildflower (by (author) Catherine Lafferty; foreword by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson; with Katłı̨̀ą)

Editorial Reviews

“Lafferty has pulled this off with disarming honesty and grace.”

Quill and Quire, January 2018

“Reading Catherine Lafferty’s memoir Northern Wildflower, I kept wondering if my responses to it made me a morally reprehensible human being, a Donald Trump of the reviewing world. How can a story of growing up as a First Nations Dene woman in the Northwest Territories and Alberta against a backdrop of addiction, violence, poverty, prostitution rings, and teen pregnancy be so charming, joyous, and life-affirming? Do I find the way it explores or resists trauma relatable?” – Kamal Al-Solaylee, Quill and Quire

Catherine Lafferty’s life story as a daughter and mother wanting more for her family and for herself is so completely inspiring. Northern Wildflower is a celebration of soul, grace and dignity. I am floored with the talent, courage and heart inside this wonderful debut.

Richard Van Camp, author of The Lesser Blessed

Related lists