Poet Explores Cultural and Physical Reclamation Through Indigenous Language
Melissa Powless Day weaves her language throughout her latest poetry collection, A Bow Forged in Ash, as part of her reclamation journey. "I knew from the beginning I wanted to include [translate:Anishinaabemowin] in my poetry in the book," said the Anishinaabe and Kanien’kehá:ka writer.
At first, she was unsure how extensively she would use the language, but her confidence grew, especially in the later poems. Powless Day, from Bkejwanong territory (Walpole Island First Nation) with family in Six Nations of the Grand River, spent 18 to 24 months crafting the collection, inspired by personal conversations and experiences.
In her afterword, she admits, "My [translate:Anishinaabemowin] is not perfect or fluent but my use of it in this collection is truthful."
“I chose to do it, to present the language in the way that I did, because I really want to normalize [translate:Anishinaabemowin]. We’re talking about my territory, where I’m at right now, and this is the language that’s been spoken here for hundreds, if not thousands, of years prior to Europeans coming over.”
Powless Day incorporates [translate:Anishinaabemowin] words and phrases directly, without italics, translation, footnotes, or glossaries, emphasizing respect and authenticity.
Her work underscores the importance of reclaiming Indigenous language as a form of cultural and physical revival.
Author’s summary: Melissa Powless Day’s poetry powerfully reclaims Indigenous identity by weaving Anishinaabemowin into her work, emphasizing cultural continuity and respect for her ancestral land.
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