Keeper'n MeWhen Garnet Raven was three years old, he was taken from his home on an Ojibway Indian reserve and placed in a series of foster homes. Having reached his mid-teens, he escapes at the first available opportunity, only to find himself cast adrift on the streets of the big city. Having skirted the urban underbelly once too often by age 20, he finds himself thrown in jail. While there, he gets a surprise letter from his long-forgotten native family. The sudden communication from his past spurs him to return to the reserve following his release from jail. Deciding to stay awhile, his life is changed completely as he comes to discover his sense of place, and of self. While on the reserve, Garnet is initiated into the ways of the Ojibway--both ancient and modern--by Keeper, a friend of his grandfather, and last fount of history about his people's ways. By turns funny, poignant and mystical, Keeper'n Me reflects a positive view of Native life and philosophy--as well as casting fresh light on the redemptive power of one's community and traditions. |
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Common terms and phrases
accounta ain't Anishanabe Anyway bannock bein big'n brother Brylcreem bull bush cabin Chief Isaac comin dance doin dream drum eagle everythin eyes feel feelin felt figured fire fish Funny Garnet gettin Gilbert goin gonna gotta grampa guess hand head hear heard heartbeat Hey-yuh Hmmpfh Indian Indyun inside Jackie Jane Keeper says Keeper'n Kenora kids kinda knew lake land laughed learnin listen live livin Lonnie look lookin lots lotsa lotta Ma's me'n morning mosta movin moving never night nothin Ojibway okay outta pow-wow pray prayer Pretty soon radio Raven real quiet red road remember round dance shoulder sing singin sitting smiled someone somethin sometimes songs sound Stanley started stories stuff sure sweat lodge talk teachin's tell there's things thinkin told trapline trees tryin walked walkin Wally's wanna wanted watched White Dog Yeah