Best-selling author makes an impression on Wiikwemkoong students

 

Anishnaabe author Waubgeshig Rice, who hails from northern Ontario, inspired a classroom full of students at a high school in Wiikwemkoong on Wednesday.

Rice said when he was in high school, there weren’t many books by Indigenous authors to read. Now the best-selling writer is inspiring youth across the country, including in Wiikwemkoong.

“The threads that brought me through my youth were storytelling and culture, and they really instilled a pride in me of being Anishnaabe,” Rice said.

“Hopefully I can convey some of that to the young people here today.”

Two classes at the high school are reading his work, including his most recent novel, ‘Moon of the Turning Leaves.’

“There’s a lot of Anishinaabemowin in the book, so it’s made my English Language Arts class more rich to include and incorporate Anishinaabemowin in our studies,” said teacher Natalie Parrington.

Anishnaabe author Waubgeshig Rice, who hails from northern Ontario, inspired a classroom full of students at a high school in Wiikwemkoong on Wednesday. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)

Rice, who lives in Sudbury, was invited to speak to students in Wiikwemkoong and read from his new book.

“It’s showing off our culture and who we are as people, and it’s showing it off in a good way instead of stereotypical of us. I love the portrayal of Indigenous peoples in his work,” said student Liam Wassengeso.

“It makes me want to be just like him, like read and write short stories and novels,” added student Tennille Shawanda.

A handful of local elders and leaders were on hand for the event, including Chief Rachel Manitowabi.

“It’s really important that our youth can see that a successful person from the Anishnaabe community can be seen and heard and not just visualize through a book but just to see the person themselves,” Manitowabi said.

Rice hasn’t ruled out a third book in his Moon of the Crusted Snow series, but said his next project is a more light-hearted look at daily life on a rez. 

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