Boy connects with family

Fort Chipewyan Homecoming:

A Journey to Native Canada

By Morningstar Mercredi with photographs by Darren McNally

48 pages, Lerner Publications Co.

$19.95 (h.c.)

Fort Chipewyan Homecoming is a book written for children aged eight to 12 years old. It is about Matthew Dunn, the author's son, who returns to Fort Chipewyan to visit with relatives and learn more about his ancestors' ways.

The subtitle is meant for the American market because this is the only Canadian book in a series entitled, We Are Still Here: Native Americans Today. The books portray the traditions of other cultures such as the Pueblo, Navajo, Ojibway and Winnebago nations. All of the books recount traditions from the point of view of someone growing up in the culture.

In essence, the idea is to remind the generation growing up today that there are still Aboriginal people around today and the culture is thriving.

Young Matthew is of Cree, Chipewyan, Metis, French, Scottish and Irish descent. His mother, Morningstar is from Fort Chipewyan, which is located on the western shores of Lake Athabasca, in northern Alberta.

It is a small community of mixed Dene, Cree and Metis people all living pretty much as their ancestors did. It's an isolated community where the people are dependent upon the land and its resources. Because of this, it is a source of refuge for Morningstar and a place of adventure for Matthew.

We begin his journey by finding out about Matthew's parents, Morningstar, his mother and David Dunn, his father. His parents are divorced and share custody of Matthew, each parent getting one year with him. His Father lives in Saskatchewan.

Morningstar, the author, focuses most of the book's material on the day-to-day matters of the people of Fort Chipewyan.

She recounts everyday occurrences, such as setting nets for fish, making bannock, and doing beadwork on moccasins. But she also adds a historical basis for these things, laying them within their rich fabric that is Aboriginal culture.

Even though the title of this series of books indicates that most of its audience will be non-Aboriginal school children, the books are a valuable reminder to urban Aboriginals of the legacy that is theirs. The connection to the past is tenuous and it should never be taken for granted.