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Smoke Dance
Paperback
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ISBN13: 9798374543476
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jan 20 2023
Pages: 184
Weight: 0.56
Height: 0.39 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: Jan 20 2023
Pages: 184
Weight: 0.56
Height: 0.39 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
When Kaienhne Jacobs (Guy-yah-ney) passes on from this world into the spirit world of her ancestors, she leaves behind her only daughter Q who must oversee the traditional Mohawk funeral of her mother. In doing so, Q will find death is accompanied by new beginnings.
Transported to a place a world away from the urban sprawl of Toronto, Q meets Dora, the grandmother she doesn't know who doesn't want a granddaughter, especially one that reminds her so much of the daughter she has lost. Adeline, sister to Dora, knows that it will take more than a day for Q to return to them. The customs are foreign to Q and she trembles as she has to explain to her dead mother what is happening. Men come to sing and Luke, a young but dedicated follower of the old Longhouse religion, is among them.
Transported to a place a world away from the urban sprawl of Toronto, Q meets Dora, the grandmother she doesn't know who doesn't want a granddaughter, especially one that reminds her so much of the daughter she has lost. Adeline, sister to Dora, knows that it will take more than a day for Q to return to them. The customs are foreign to Q and she trembles as she has to explain to her dead mother what is happening. Men come to sing and Luke, a young but dedicated follower of the old Longhouse religion, is among them.
Matty is shocked to find that Q has moved in with Luke knowing that when Raven finds out there will be trouble. Matty is an artist who hides her talent and her true self but that awakens and grows stronger in the company of Q. Matty introduces Q to other young women on the reserve and together they start making dancing outfits to be worn in the upcoming pow wow. Q won't dance.
Slowly, the black clothing and dark makeup that Q wears changes to lighter tones and she needs the mask she wears less.
Matty begins to call Q, Sarah, her given English name. Sarah must come apart; must shatter the ideas she once had about who she is, in order to make room for the identity she is being given now. Adeline shows Sarah how to find the true gifts inside of her by looking at the things that frighten her most. Sarah moves back in with her grandmother who reluctantly takes her in.
Luke meets with the stubborn Elder who has not listened to Luke's pleas to reopen the long-neglected longhouse for ceremonies. Raven waits for the perfect opportunity to send a clear message that when the ten days are over Sarah is expected to leave. Raven's meddling only makes the bond between Luke and Sarah stronger and in a violent rage Raven attacks the only one she can still touch, Matty.
The tenth day arrives. Sarah takes on the name Ha: wi, as she assumes more of her Mohawk heritage. Luke's team must face off in a physical battle on the lacrosse field, Matty arrives at the game severely bruised, but not defeated as Raven didn't destroy what she prizes most, her artwork. Ha: wi comes home from the game to find that Raven has destroyed the beautiful, beaded dance outfit that she and Matty have worked so hard on. Finding Raven, Ha: wi makes it clear that Raven's tyranny is over, leveling her in a fast and furious fist fight that leaves Raven spitting blood in the dirt.
That night a dead feast is held for the spirit of Kaienhne. All of the characters have something to let go of from the past. After the feast, at the rivers edge, as the mist rises from the river like smoke, Ha: wi lays in love with Luke who begins to sing for her as dawn breaks. Ha: wi dances in the early light and the mist with abandon, without fear.
As Ha: wi's mourning is complete, so too are the preparations for the pow wow complete. A fire is laid, teepees are stretched with canvas, and branches are laid across an arbour for the drummers. In her room, Matty fills out an application for art school. Luke walks through the empty longhouse determined to fill it again with life and ceremony. Dora helps Ha: wi into the dance outfit that was once her mother's and they depart together for the celebration of life, the pow wow, that unites all the people of the reserve in a swirling dance of beauty and colour. Kahnehkaha: wi (Ha: wi) (gah-ney-gah-how-ee) has found a new home, a new family and a new sense of who she is. NOTE: Contains sexuality and violence.
Slowly, the black clothing and dark makeup that Q wears changes to lighter tones and she needs the mask she wears less.
Matty begins to call Q, Sarah, her given English name. Sarah must come apart; must shatter the ideas she once had about who she is, in order to make room for the identity she is being given now. Adeline shows Sarah how to find the true gifts inside of her by looking at the things that frighten her most. Sarah moves back in with her grandmother who reluctantly takes her in.
Luke meets with the stubborn Elder who has not listened to Luke's pleas to reopen the long-neglected longhouse for ceremonies. Raven waits for the perfect opportunity to send a clear message that when the ten days are over Sarah is expected to leave. Raven's meddling only makes the bond between Luke and Sarah stronger and in a violent rage Raven attacks the only one she can still touch, Matty.
The tenth day arrives. Sarah takes on the name Ha: wi, as she assumes more of her Mohawk heritage. Luke's team must face off in a physical battle on the lacrosse field, Matty arrives at the game severely bruised, but not defeated as Raven didn't destroy what she prizes most, her artwork. Ha: wi comes home from the game to find that Raven has destroyed the beautiful, beaded dance outfit that she and Matty have worked so hard on. Finding Raven, Ha: wi makes it clear that Raven's tyranny is over, leveling her in a fast and furious fist fight that leaves Raven spitting blood in the dirt.
That night a dead feast is held for the spirit of Kaienhne. All of the characters have something to let go of from the past. After the feast, at the rivers edge, as the mist rises from the river like smoke, Ha: wi lays in love with Luke who begins to sing for her as dawn breaks. Ha: wi dances in the early light and the mist with abandon, without fear.
As Ha: wi's mourning is complete, so too are the preparations for the pow wow complete. A fire is laid, teepees are stretched with canvas, and branches are laid across an arbour for the drummers. In her room, Matty fills out an application for art school. Luke walks through the empty longhouse determined to fill it again with life and ceremony. Dora helps Ha: wi into the dance outfit that was once her mother's and they depart together for the celebration of life, the pow wow, that unites all the people of the reserve in a swirling dance of beauty and colour. Kahnehkaha: wi (Ha: wi) (gah-ney-gah-how-ee) has found a new home, a new family and a new sense of who she is. NOTE: Contains sexuality and violence.
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