Minegoo Mniku: The Mi'kmaq Creation Story of Prince Edward Island = Epekewitkewey A'tukwaqn. Sandra L. Dodge, reteller and illustrator. Translated by Georgina Francis. Charlottetown, PE: The Acorn Press, 2017. 32 pp., pbk. & ebook, $13.95 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-927502-85-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-927502-86-0 (ebook). Subject Headings: Micmac Indians-Folklore-Juvenile literature. Creation-Mythology- Prince Edward Island-Juvenile literature. Micmac mythology- Prince Edward Island-Juvenile literature. Prince Edward Island-Folklore-Juvenile literature. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Allison Giggey. *** /4

excerpt:

"Kluskap," says the Great Spirit, "look at this large piece of red clay, the same colour as my Mi'Mkaq people. I will do a thing. I will shape this clay into a crescent form and it will be the most beautiful of all places on Mother Earth. It will be the home of my Mi'kmaq people."

Sandra L. Dodge's Minegoo Mnkiu is a retelling of the Mi'kmaq creation story. In this short, lyrical book, Dodge shares the story of how the Great Spirit creates Kluskap, the Mi'kmaq people, and Minegoo (Prince Edward Island).

      Dodge's use of clear, repetitive language gives a musical quality to the book; each time the Great Spirit 'does a thing', it acts as a familiar refrain. Her language is carefully chosen and descriptive without being flowery, and Georgina Francis' Mi'kmaq translations on each page add a layer of authenticity. While the purpose of this book would arguably be to present the creation story rather than provide a lesson on Mi'kmaq culture, an afterword or glossary that explains the significance of certain things (the loon and the eagle, for example, as both are featured in the story) might be beneficial to readers.

      Dodge illustrated the book as well as writing the text. Her colour choices are bright and bold while the watercolour medium provides a dreamy, ethereal effect-- perfect for the story she is telling. Each page of text has a border based on a Mi'kmaq quill pattern, framing the words and providing a nice balance to the opposing illustrated page.

      Minegoo Mnkiu would be an excellent way to introduce young people to the stories of the Mi'Kmaq people. It will make a great addition to library collections of Indigenous fiction or nonfiction myths and legends.

Recommended.

Allison Giggey is a teacher-librarian who is proud to live on Minegoo.

CM Home | Back Issues | Search | CM Archive | Profiles Archive

Next Review | Table of Contents for This Issue - December 22, 2017.