The Gathering

Mi’kmaw writer Theresa Meuse and Mi’kmaw artist Arthur Stevens have collaborated on a number of picture books, and The Gathering is the latest product of their combined talents. The book is about the experience of a young girl attending her first Mi’kmaq spiritual gathering or mawiomi. The event lasts four days, and, not having previously been away from her parents, young Alex is understandably feeling nervous. Fortunately, she has her older cousin Matthew as her host.

There is much to like about The Gathering. It represents a marriage of traditional and contemporary Mi’kmaq culture. Where many indigenous children’s books celebrate things such as powwows, almost always the protagonists are depicted in regalia—fully embracing the experience. In this instance, Alex and Matthew and many others in attendance at the mawiomi are dressed in non-traditional clothing. The story plot tension revolves around Alex’s nervous uncertainty. Throughout the book, Alex gradually gains exposure to Mi’kmaq traditions and ways of doing, and, as her nerves calm, her uncertainty is replaced with enthusiastic participation. Tanning, oral storytelling, drumming, canoe-making, beading, and other traditional pursuits are all included in the book, as is mawiomi regalia and such things as lu’sknikn (Mi’kmaw bannock), a talking circle, and a fire keeper tending the Sacred Fire.

Nonetheless, the book could have been strengthened in both Meuse’s written text and Stevens’ artwork. The written text contains too much telling, rather than showing. For instance, when Alex befriends Rachael, the reader is told, “Rachael went on to share about her family, her home, and her cat.” Similarly, the author could and should have portrayed Alex’s emotions through skilful descriptive writing rather than just telling the reader how she felt (e.g. Alex “was worried”, “Alex wasn’t sure”, Alex was “feeling less afraid”, and “Alex was pretty sure she would never be brave enough to join in a Talking Circle”). This sort of writing merely summarises and, as such, deprives the reader of opportunities to form the emotional attachments necessary for the reader to care what happens to characters. Just as the writing is occasionally lifeless, the illustrations are much the same. The illustrations appear to be computer-generated, and, while they are very colourful, the absence of tints and shades means that most of the illustrations contain large blocks of colour that appear flat, rather than textured and three-dimensional.

Stronger writing and better artwork could improve the book immeasurably, but there is value in The Gathering. Teachers, librarians, and parents looking to purchase and use authentic indigenous children’s literature will be rewarded by the book. A Mi’kmaw reader will be pleased to see her or his culture respectfully represented in a manner that embraces the past and present.