The poems in "pihta ekwa wihta" portray deep spiritual transformations and understandings of the ever-present feeling of being haunted by a not so distant past. Revealing important issues of Indigenous discrimination, poverty, and violence, the author undeniably illustrates the reality of the experiences many Indigenous people encounter while living on and off-reserve. This poetry collection reveals strong links to land, to family, and to the wisdom of elders. The book exposes struggles many Indigenous people encounter in getting an education, dealing with family issues and abuse, learning to respect themselves and demanding respect from others, finding their place in the world, and recovering their rich history and culture. "pihta ekwa wihta" illustrates the resilience and strength of the Indigenous people and the determination that they bring to their communities.

Joseph A. Dandurand is a member of the Kwantlen First Nation located near the Fraser River, east of Vancouver. He works as the Heritage and Lands Officer for the Kwantlen territory and has been performing his duties for over 17 years. He studied theatre and direction at Algonquin College and at the University of Ottawa. He was a Playwright-in-Residence for the Museum of Civilization in Hull in 1995 and for Native Earth in Toronto in 1996. His previously publishedbooks include "looking into the eyes of my forgotten dreams", "Please Do Not Touch the Indians" and "Hear and Foretell". His poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including "An Anthology of Canadian Native Literature in English". He has also authored a radio script which was produced by CBC Radio. He lives in Fort Langley, BC.

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Randy Morin is a teacher, storyteller, and English-Cree translator from the Big River First Nation, Treaty Six area. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies and worked on many English to Cree translation projects for the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, Fresh TV, and APTN. He is a strong supporter of maintaining and teaching of Cree language and culture, and shares this knowledge in the classroom as a high school teacher in Saskatoon, SK. He is a member of the Literary Translators' Association of Canada. He lives in Saskatoon, SK.

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