Injichaag: My Soul in Story

Rene Meshake is an Anishinaabe Elder, visual and performing artist, award-winning author, storyteller, flute player, new media artist and a Recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.Anderson Kim :

Kim Anderson is a Cree/Métis writer, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Relationships, and Associate Professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph.

“Humor is not identified as part of Rene’s thematic approach but is integrated as part of his worldview or his approach to life. The memoir does not shy away from extremely painful topics and memories. But what some call ‘Indian humor’ is ever present as he demonstrates survival and resilience, as well as resistance as an Indigenous man living in a hostile colonial environment. Injichaag: My Soul in Story is a hopeful memoir rooted in Anishinaabe knowledge and told in story with humility and generosity.”

Barb Minett:
“I would highly suggest reading this beautiful bundle of words and images. Never have I understood more how important language is to the life of a culture. Thank you Rene for this gift to the wider community.”

waaseyaa’sin Christine Sy:
“Where Elder Meshake is obviously shaped by his experience as an Ojibway boy and man in Canada, the soul-in-story that he documents for the present and future focuses on life-giving Anishinaabe ways, the significance of relationships, endurance, good life, and creating. This is not so much a purposeful partitioning off of painful subjects as it is a broad teaching in itself: Anishinaabe life, lifeways, personhood, and the future are much more dynamic and omnipresent than ongoing colonization and its effects.”

Margaret Noodin:
“This is the story of an Anishinaabe journey across time and space. This is more than an autobiography of trauma, it is a celebration of resilience.”