SUMMER 2010

Vicki, Victoria and I are home from a week in the U.S. where we travelled across the Northern Plains seeking out Victoria and my ancestral homelands. Through the guidance of our genealogist, a good sat/nav system and the spiritual magnetism of our GGrandmothers and GGrandfathers, we visited several churches and many graveyards. We found several meaningful sites. We felt their presence every mile of our journey. We left them tobacco and played our flutes for them.

Our collective family is richer for our having been there and deeper for the knowledge we acquired. We are fortunate to be off to a good start on our journey as this experience has fanned the flame that burns within me. I want and need to know more about her/them and if I'm lucky...I hope to come to learn what my Grandmothers want of me...why they move me as they do.

Every person has many family lines to follow. I chose that of my mother's father (shown here). Though my Grandfather, Peter Mercier, died well before I was born, I was close to his wife (Caroline Cossette) and I was privilledged to know his mother, Odile Mercier (nee Allard), who after raising a large family, became a cloistered nun in Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan, the town in which I grew up.

We drove to Crow Wing, Minnesota where my Grandfather and Grandmother grew up and were married. We found the church in which they were married and the graveyard in which several of our ancestors lie resting. We travelled to Nadeau, Michigan where Peter Mercier's mother and father were married (in the church St. Bruno) and where several of the Mercier line lie in rest. We went to Bay Settlement, Wisconsin where Odile Allard grew up. Her parents were Jeanne Beaudoin and Joseph Allard...all from that Metis homeland. Jeanne Beaudoin's parents were Narcisse Beaudoin and Jeanne Charbonneau. These Grandparents became farmers as the fur trade came to and end and eventually moved to free claims in South Dakota (we found them or rather they found us in the Kranzburg, S.D. cemetary). The funny thing about these free lands is that we are Ojibway. Our lands were taken from us just as Lakota and Crow lands were taken from them and sold or given to us! ...Interesting how this happened.

And finally, Jeanne Beaudoin, nee Charbonneau, was the daughter of Peter Charbonneau (Ojibway) and Josette Bonneterre (Osage/Pawnee slave). We located their church and burial grounds in Little Chutte, Wisconsin. We left tobacco. We honoured them on ouf flutes.

I understand that all this is all a little much but I should tell you that it feels so good every time I write or say it. Thank you for allowing me this.

I can't even start to relate all the places I was this past spring and all the new friends I've made across the tens of thousands of miles I flew and drove.

This has been an incredible spring. Vicki's birthday...Mother's Day...tens of thousands of miles on the road! In one week alone, I flew from Victoria to Estevan, Sask...from Estevan to Kingston...from Kingston to Montreal...from Montreal to London...from London back to Ottawa. It's been that kind of a spring - full and good!

There has been travel, new friends and the Montreal Canadiens taking out Washington and then Pittsburg. Bravo les Canadiens! What a great way to end the year!

Going back to April....

Vicki, Victoria and I went to Ottawa where I was named to the Order of Canada. My son Adrien and his wife Kasia accompanied us for what was a most memorable event! Up above, her Excellency had just pinned the award on my 100 year old Métis jacket. Shortly after that, Vicki and I had dinner with the GG who asked me to jig with her - a la facon de chez nous. Vicki, who can really jig, was in the ladies room for the entirety of the jigging! Go figure!

Before Ottawa, we were at the Festival du Livre in Paris. (...before I forget, an lovely interview was released this week: http://www.papertigers.org/interviews/archived_interviews/dbouchard.html) This is the third year in a row my girls and I have attended the largest French book fair in the world (we also go to Montreal every year).In spite of the distance and the cost, we love Paris and this annual pilgrimage. We shop. We eat. We shop. We walk and ride the Metro. And we do family things together. This picture of the three of us was taken on Rue des Ecoles, ten steps down from our hotel. The restaurant always has a 30 minute line up and that usually means the locals approve. Paris...a line up...you would expect some quaint little five star treasure? It's a deli called Breakfast in America and it features burgers, pancakes and everything North American. ...Yes, we only did it once and yes, it was quite good!

Before Paris, it was the Oneida and Chippewa of the Thames and before that Calgary, Timmins and Thunder Bay (Marathon, Geraldton, Terrace Bay, Nipigon, Long Lac)...Winnipeg, San Diego and before that, the NWT. This picture is of the view from my hotel room in San Diego. It contrasts well with the shot of me on the streets of Lut Sel K'e...exactly one week to the day. Amazing!

I continue to love Americans for their openness and kindness. Thank you America.

And Mashi/Marsi Cho/Marcee to Assistant Superintendent Brent Kaulback, your staff and the Dene Nation! Thank you for your warmth, hospitality and kindness. I will always treasure my time spent with you. This picture is taken in the beautiful village of Lut Sel'Ke...

Prior to my trip north to the NWT, I had been to Toronto, Cornwall and Montreal and prior to that, I was in Edmonton/St. Albert. Before that....I was far and wide: the Salon du Livre in Montreal; sharing stories and dreams with Ojibwe/Odawa cousins at Sudbury's Cambrian College; doing much of the same in traditional Mohawk Territories...and addressing the Circle of Light conference in Toronto. A highlight was our launching The Secret of Your Name at the beautiful Turtle Island Gallery (shown here) in Kelowna. Our new book has had better reviews than any of my books to date. You can see these in Chapter Two. This past season has been unusual for me as I have released four new books. My Papa lost his Lucky and...

Long Powwow Nights was released at WordFest in Calgary in October and has been receiving great reviews.

The Seven Sacred Teachings was launched September 21st at Rainy River Reserve's new, spectacular powwow grounds. Friend and producer Geoff Edwards (http://www.streamworks.ca/) created a short You Tube clip of our Seven Sacred Teachings. Miigwech Geoff for sharing your gifts with us in so many ways. For a viewing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGd_Idl0iqY

At the launch of The Seven Sacred Teachings, Elders, school and ministry board officials, families and friends were surrounded by hundreds of students as we celebrated our new book. Shown here, from right to left, are Jack McMaster (Director of the Rainy River School District and the biggest supporter of Aboriginal Education anywhere), Elder Nancy Jones (Elder, mentor, Ojibway translator and cultural icon who gave me my Spirit Name, Zhiibaayaanakwad), Jason Jones ( Jason translated the book with his Kokum Nancy and then recorded it in Ojibway), Kristy Cameron (our Metis artist proudly wearing her Scottish plaid), a happy Métis author and on the far left, Brent Tookenay (the Superintendent of Aboriginal Education who put the launch together and who put a copy of the book into the hands of every elementary student in the district. Brent is one of the most prominent First Nation Senior Administrators in Canada).

There were speeches, drumming and singing, gift giving and recognition...and as always with any good aboriginal celebration, we feasted.

Elder Nancy Jones guided us through every step of the celebration, from the opening prayer to the final travelling dance.

I would also like to share a most wonderful and surreal experience I had on this past tour. Elder Nancy Jones, shown above and below (wearing my favourite Capote that I gifted her), dreamt and gave me my Spirit Name. Protocol is extremely important in ceremonies. My celebration was unique and memorable. I do not have space or time to set the scene as it was...merely to say that all the required regalia was in place...rules of custom were adhered to...then Nancy spoke/chanted/prayed in Ojibway. She smiled as she said my name. She stopped and said it a second time: Zhiibaayaanakwad. Then she held my hand and told me of her dream...of how she had seen Eagle flying above then below the clouds. Eagle receives messages from Creator than brings them down to Turtle Island. My given name is Zhiibaayaanakwad.

Boozhoo nindinuwaymahgunug. zheebahyahnukwud indigo. wahbizhayshi nindoedame. quill lake saskatchewan nindoenjee. Miigwech Nokum.

Along with our aboriginal culture, I continue to share the importance of reading. My message focusses on the elements necessary to become a reader and what should be goals in ascertaining that as many people as possible are afforded the gift of reading. I've been doing that which comes natural for a Métis person; sharing stories. The more I travel, the more stories I have to share.

Another highlight of this past year...

Three Victorians named to Order of Canada ranks....By With files by Richard Watts, Bill Cleverley, Jim Gibson December 31, 2008

Three Victoria men are among 60 Canadians named yesterday to the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

Author Bouchard said yesterday he was excited by news of the appointment.
"I'm thrilled," he said. "I'm as thrilled for my mom and dad as I am for me, but it's a nice honour."
Bouchard, a teacher and principal for many years, said he was surprised when he received a call from the Governor General's office before Christmas telling him of the honour. But the award-winning advocate of literacy says friends and family are the ones who deserve the credit.
"It's just a testimony to how lucky I am to have people around me who are caring and giving," Bouchard said.
"Apparently the process started a year and a half ago whereby a couple of superintendents from Saskatchewan got the ball rolling and worked with people who I had worked with and put together this proposal. I do think it's a testimony to there being wonderful people and friends out there."
Bouchard's books have won many literary awards, including the Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart in 2004, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award for Voices from the Wild in 1997, the Red Cedar Award for The Great Race in 1999 and the Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award for illustration for The Dragon New Year in 1999.

Other B.C.-related appointments to the order yesterday included opera superstar Ben Heppner, who studied at the University of British Columbia, and former lieutenant-governor Iona Campagnolo. Heppner was made a companion, a promotion from his former rank of officer, and Campagnolo was promoted to officer from member.
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Victoria's Times Colonist did a fair job reporting what I said...or what I thought I had said. This naming honours my mom and dad who started with nothing and worked as did/do so many on the prairie...24/7 to afford their children a chance...just a chance. My parents are old now and this naming comforts and praises them. My New Year wish is this kind of blessing on all aging parents.

The other thing I tried to say to the TC is that I have learned how this naming came to pass. Friends Bob and Eleanor(former educators from Saskatoon now living in Victoria), and John and Florence (from Saskatoon), and Bonnie in Surrey (formerly from Regina)...are wonderful friends who worked hard at compiling and presenting the GG with a proposal to suggest that I might be worthy of this naming. They spent hours...days...weeks on this for no reason other than to honour, support and make a friend feel special. These friendships are worth more to me than being named to any order. From the bottom of my heart, Miigwetch - Marcee - thank you friends.

Recommended Readings... Books (and how not?):

Twilight!!! ***** FIVE STARS I don't read vampire stories and I deteste high school romance. Yet Twilight was amazing! It is the hottest book in the world right now. Adults, you simply have to give it a go...otherwise how can you know what our kids are reading - and loving!

Raven Quest and Wolf Rider...***...A solid three star! Two books that grabbed me and hung on - to the end. For reluctant and fussy readers like me, any book that can do this is a must read!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne... If there is such a thing as a Rememberance Day read, this is it. Our wonderful friend Sandy at Kids in Print in Victoria gifted it to us this week. WOW!!!

CHICKEN FEATHERS by Joy Cowley. Read it now and remember who told you about it! It is a MUST for anyone and everyone...a short, eary family read about a chicken who likes to drink and... NO MORE... PLEASE, read it!

The Last Apprentice by Joseph Delaney is WOW!!!...a sure thing with grades three to eight. Trust me on this one! It might be a little frightening for the timid of heart but Victoria is the ultimate chicken and she is LOVED them. There will be seven in this series. We finished Peter and the Secret of Rundoon... in the Star Catchers series. Amazing reads...all of them. The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick: WOW! Do NOT put off reading this amazing book...for all ages! Thank you Darlene.

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald is amazing(ages 4-13) !We LOVED all seven in this series. You might have to order them on ABE (www.abebooks.com) as they are somewhat hard to find. Be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy if you read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo. Another excellent read is The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John.

Books for YA, Young Adults , books that I have not shared with Victoria(she is only eight): Tyler Trafford's Sun on the Mountains series; SUPERB!/ ...Historical fiction at its best: Lethbridge in 1832...Piicani, Blood, Crow...horse trading, raids, traditions, respect and much more. Another great series is Boudica by Manda Scott. Another? Read Wind on Fire by William Nicholson (Victoria and I did share this trilogy...) and then read Bill's Noble Warrior series. The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness by Michelle Paver is masterful. For adults, I'd recommend Jean Auld's Clan of the Cave Bear as well as every historical fiction book Sharon Kay Penman has ever written. Start with Sonne in Splendor.

Our family enjoyed Children of the Lamp by A. E. Kerr as we did the Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, EAST and The Great Good Thing. We liked Inkheart more than the sequel Inkspell. We enjoyed Hook as we did Peter and the Star Catchers and Peter and the Shadow Thieves. One of my favourites is Michael Gruber's The Witch's Boy and though I didn't share Mimus with Victoria, I liked as well.

Victoria and my favourite book of all time is Brittaney Ryan's The Legend of Holly Claus...ages 4-97! Don't wait until Christmas to read this perfect book. Read it now and then again at Christmas!

A last good read or two... I don't read many pirate books but I liked this year's Governor General Award winning Pirate's Passage by William Gilkerson. I'd also recommend Iain Lawrence's High Seas Trilogy.

VICTORIA REVIEWS:...this is Victoria writing and these are some great reads!!!!!!!

*The Legend of Holly Claus By Brittney Ryan: It is my favorite book of all time. I would say the age level is from about 7 -100:)!!!

*May Bird series By Jodi Lynn Anderson: The May Bird series is all about a 10 year old girl and her hairless cats adventures together!!!! (Ages 8-12)

*Artemis Fowl series By Eoin Colfer: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS SERIES TRY IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!! (AGES 9 AND UP)

*THE EDGE CHRONICLES By Paul Stewart & Chris Riddell: If you like battling fierce monsters and going on amazing adventures, then read these books!! (AGES 9-12)

*The Warriors series By Erin Hunter: This series is about 4 cat clans battling to survive!!!!!!! (AGES 7/8 and up!)

*The Grimm sisters By Michael Buckley: THIS IS A GREAT READ!!!!!! (AGES 7-12)

* The lIGHTNING Thief By Rick Riordan:How would you feel if you were on the verge of being kicked out of boarding school? And for the last little while mythilogical creatures and gods keep on seemining to walk right out of nowhere and into your life,AND you were making some of them angry!AND YOU were a suspect of stealing from a highly well known god,Zeus......................Sounds intruging? Try reading this book without wanting more of Percy!!!!!!!!! (ages 7 -17?)

*Gods of Manhattan By Scott Mebus:When Rory Henessy is shown an amazing magic trick he is granted the sight to see Mahattana. What sort of trouble will he run into? From cockroaches riding on rats to walking on air! What else he will discover is up to you......Give it a try,read this book........from around ages 8/9- 14?)

*Kenny & the Dragon By TONY DiTERLIZZI: If you like humour and dragons then read this book!!!!!!111(Ages 7-11)

The WeeFree Men By Terry Prachett:There is trouble spreading throughout Aching Farm. Nightmares are spreading constantley and Tiffany Achings(the average stereotype farm girl,brown hair and brown eyes)little brother (make it known that sometimes he gets on her nerves)has been stolen. Here are some of the items she has to use to get him back. The supreem weapon..a frying pan...the great book of spells..uhhh...Diseases of sheep....and..............................................The weefreemen!! TAg along on Tiffanys amazing adventure!

Please note that my section will usually be updated every few weeks!!!!!

That's it...

B.C.'s Premier Gordon Campbell is a model reader!

There are a few highlights that cannot go unmentioned. To view these, please click here.

ARCHIVE...

To access a few events that took place prior to 2009, click here.