Author launches new Indigenous fantasy trilogy

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When Daniel Health Justice attended the launch of his new book, Kynship, on Sept. 28, it was the realization of a dream he'd had since he was 12.

The book, published by Kegedonce Press, is the first book in a planned trilogy entitled The Way of Thorn and Thunder.

Justice, who teaches Indigenous North American literatures and Aboriginal studies at the University of Toronto, had two main goals in mind when he decided to write this trilogy. The first was to expand the world of fantasy writing by creating an Indigenous fantasy novel.

Justice said he's been a fan of the fantasy genre for quite some time but saw that something was missing.

"I wanted to see fantasy that reflected my reality," said the 30-year-old citizen of the Cherokee Nation who grew up in Victor, Colorado along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains.

His second goal was to show "mountain storytelling at its finest." His father was a great storyteller who grew up in the mountains. "Once you have lived in the mountains, you can't live anywhere else," he said.

Attachment to place is a theme that flows throughout Kynship. An Eternity Tree represents the living covenant between the Kyn and their homeland, the Everland. But new ways have crept in to this society. Family bonds weaken and dissolve. Religious conflicts divide the Wyr, who remain faithful to the old ways, and the Celestials, followers of a new religion. Old symbols disappear.

Violence enters the lives of the Kyn. And conflicts and dissent dominate the political agenda as the Kyn deal with grave threats to their homeland.

Justice said some readers have drawn a parallel between the story told in Kynship and the Cherokee Trail of Tears, the forced relocation of Cherokee men women and children from Georgia to Oklahoma in the 1830s, a journey of a thousand miles that saw thousands die before reaching their destination.

The tale told in Kynship begins with violence and death-a marauder stalking, killing and destroying Kyn and their villages. Is this story happening or has it happened? We are drawn into the story as it unfolds.

We are there as one of the main characters, Unahi, makes her way back to her home village after an absence of 26 years. We are in the kitchen as her sisters -not happy to see her back-argue over the reason for her return. We accompany her after she reclaims her niece, Tarsha, and they set out on a journey to a place of great meaning-Sheynadwiin, the main city of the Everland. For both, the journey is marked by a series of trials, violence, and coming to grips with new realities. Along their journey, friendships develop, talents are revealed and sacrifices are made.

Many of the issues dealt with in the book are the same as those experienced by Indigenous people across the globe-loss of language, violent encounters between Indigenous people and colonizers and invaders, and devastating outbreaks of new disease-rooting the fantasy in the world of reality.

But some of the most riveting details are those exploring the personal and family relationships-the arguments, estrangements, rivalries and jealousies, and the bonds that endure despite all odds. Vansaaya one of Tarsha's aunts, says, "She is our niece, the only surviving child of our youngest sister. We are obliged to help her by whatever means are available."

In Kynship, there are trials of strength, fought by warrior women and trials by words, fought by warriors of a different sort-diplomats and bureaucrats.

Our life is not controlled only by our wants seems to be a theme that links the aunt and niece. For the two central female characters, whatever plans they had for their lives were changed when they became Wielders, guardians of the Wyr and their ways.

The second book in the trilogy, Wyrwood, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2006. The final book, Dreyd, is expected out in the fall of 2007.

For more information about Daniel Heath Justice or The Way of Thorn and Thunder, visit the Kegedonce Press Web ste at www.kegodonce.com, or Justice's Web site at www. Danielhealthjustice.com.