Our Grandmothers' Lives as Told in Their Own Words

Abstract

Seven Indian women are witness to a lifetime of change, and as grandmothers they share their experiences. Ko@hkominawak Ota@cimowiniwa@wa, Our Grandmothers' Lives as told in their Own Words, edited and translated by Freda Ahenakew and H.C. Wolfart, is a collaboration of family and friends. This book is a valuable teaching guide for those studying their language or gaining insight into the diversity of Indian women's lives.Ahenakew introduces seven fluent Cree speakers, whose autobiographies intersect two eras: Life in the Bush, and Reserve Life. In reading the text there are times it felt as though one were seated in the presence of the narrator. The difference in dialect and experience illustrates the distinct qualities of these women, accentuating their individuality. The reader is greeted in the preface by pictures of eight smiling grandmothers, including the author. The identity of the speaker is usually denoted by lineage or where they were raised; brief background sketches establish the relationship between Ahenakew and each woman as long-time friend and/or family.Concerning her treatment of the spoken performances she has been collecting since 1986, Ahenakew states: "I try to write exactly what you are saying. Even when you say "ah" I will write that down too..." (p. 303). Thus the book captures the unedited, unpolished conversation, ensuring accurate representation of the women's contributions. The audio tapes collected were first transcribed into roman orthography and then translated into English, accompanied by Cree syllabics. Corresponding numbers in the transcribed texts provide quick and easy cross-reference between Cree and English. The advantage of presenting three written forms is that they act as a guide for learning Cree phonology. The book offers the possibility of learning one Cree word at a time and the context in which the word is used.The honesty displayed by these women encourages an aspiring Aboriginal writer such as myself to continue to seek out our truths and givens. Each woman openly shares personal experiences, ranging from the spiritual to the gathering of food. Seldom has a book made me laugh and cry all within the same moment. This book acclaims the intricate social patterns and value systems in which these women conducted their lives. Highlighted are their roles within the division of labour and household chores contrasting their ability to be self-sufficient within their means and environment. Elderly Indian women's lives have rarely been documented from their own perspective or received a just and accurate portrayal. Unfortunately, their voice was marginalized in print and often capitalized on by many non-native writers who professed to speak for the grandmothers.(f.2) Freda Ahenakew gives seven of those grandmothers an opportunity to share their experiences, to tell it in their own words, as the title of the book suggests.The ingenuity displayed by these women is phenomenal. Their reminiscences offer the reader something tangible to consider. The women were taught by their grandmothers, which is evident in their observations as children maturing into young woman. …