Living in the Tall Grass

Poems of Reconciliation

by Chief R. Stacey Laforme, by (photographer) Tara Laforme

tagged: canadian, native american, indigenous

Description

“We should not have to change to fit into society the world should adapt to embrace our uniqueness.” -- Chief Stacey Laforme In Living in the Tall Grass: Poems of Reconciliation, Chief Stacey Laforme gives a history of his people through stories and poetry to let non-Indigenous people see through the eyes of Indigenous people. Living in the Tall Grass is written in a way that makes the reader feel he or she might be sitting down with Chief Laforme, sharing experiences from their lives. Some poems share humour, while others express pain, though each comes from the heart.

About the Authors

Chief R. Stacey Laforme

Stacey Laforme was born into a life of alcoholism and abuse. At 15, he lived on the street, eventually finding a home with his grandmothers. He started his first job at 12 years old, eventually joining the Ironworkers Union. He attended college late in life. He ran and was elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Anishinaabe in December 2015. He is an honorary Senior Fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto and he recently led a delegation to the UK, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. He was the first Giima (Chief) to meet with the British Monarch in over 160 years.

Tara Laforme

Contributor Notes

Stacey Laforme was born on a cold December morning into a life of alcoholism and abuse. At fifteen, he left home and lived on the street, eventually finding a home with both of his grandmothers. He started his first job at twelve years old, eventually going into the family business and joining the iron workers union. He attended college late in life. He retired from iron work and, as he admits, “If I am honest, I was not the best at iron work.” After his mother passed away at the age of fifty, he was elected to council. He ran and was elected Chief of the Mississaugas of the Anishnabe in December 2015, a few months after his father passed away. Chief Laforme says, “I am dedicated to my people, and to all the people who live within our treaty lands.” Chief LaForme recently became only the third Honorary Senior Fellow of Massey College, joining the Duke of Edinburgh and the Chancellor of Oxford University in the rarest honour the college can bestow.

Editorial Review

Laforme is a high-profile leader, attending scores of events, large and small in Ontario and gently reminding listeners that most of the southern part of the province is the traditional homelands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. True to his belief in the longer-lasting impact of the arts, he’ll often open a speech with a verse. “The future lies in the arts, and it lies in all our youth, not just the Indigenous youth,” he says. “Arts make change … if we can share a moment through the arts whether its song, dance, poetry, painting, it transcends even language barriers. “

— Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator

Living in the Tall Grass

Poems of Reconciliation

by Chief R. Stacey Laforme, by (photographer) Tara Laforme

Chief R. Stacey Laforme

Tara Laforme

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