Liturgy of Savage No. 82

Synopsis:

Originally from the community of Ekuanitshit (Mingan) in the Lower North Shore region of Quebec, Cousineau-Mollen was adopted at a very young age by an urban family as part of what is now known as the Sixties Scoop. Although Cousineau-Mollen did not grow up in an Indigenous community, her adoptive family maintained contact with her biological family, ensuring she remained connected to her culture and identity. Having faced adversity and rejection during her studies at Laval University due to her Indian Status, she has since worked to build and support community initiatives, through Aboriginal student associations and involvement in the Wolf Pack Street Patrol, for the Indigenous homeless people of Montreal. In The Liturgy of Savage No. 82, Cousineau-Mollen reclaims, honours, and makes space for herself and the rights of Indigenous women. A powerful and emotional poetry collection, The Liturgy of Savage No. 82 explores the realities facing Indigenous women in Canada and the emotional impact of homelessness, intergenerational trauma and systemic racism, all through a feminist lens as she considers the implications of femininity and identity in relation to the unceded land of her people.

Reviews
“Cousineau-Mollen’s poetry embodies resilience, and how the impact of colonization has affected Indigenous peoples, and First Nation women in particular.”—Shannon Webb-Campbell, Muskrat Magazine on Bréviaire du matricule 082 (Éditions Hannenorak, 2019)

"Originally published in French, Mollen’s Liturgy of Savage No. 82 is a deep and profound poetic exploration that examines themes such as colonization, residential schools, the Indian Act, feminism, and resistance. Mollen’s work is a reclaiming—through language and cultural resurgence—and requires recognition of both the oppressed and empowered experiences of an Indigenous woman in Canada. This edition also includes a glossary of language terms that invites the reader to experience even deeper understandings through the multidimensional expression of language. Cautions / Content Warnings: Some problematic language (e.g., “squaw”), and sexual content and themes." - Lori B., Indigenous Educator & Administrator, Indigenous Books for Schools

Educator Information
This book is included in the Indigenous Books for Schools database from the Association of Book Publishers of BC. It is recommended for Grades 10 to 12 for English Language Arts, Art, and Social Studies.

Content Warning: Sexual content and strong language.

Additional Information
72 pages | 5.50" x 8.00" | Paperback