Angeline Boulley’s highly anticipated young adult thriller is like a Native American powwow deeply layered with symbolism, glitter and enough mystery to keep you spinning in delight.
Boulley’s debut book, “Firekeeper’s Daughter,” was much anticipated since it received a robust seven figures at a 2019 auction for publication rights. It was recently announced the book would be remade into a Netflix series. Firekeeper is a phrase that describes an important role in many Indigenous cultures — the person who is responsible for lighting the fire at ceremonial events such as burial rights.
Boulley, a member of the Sault Tribe, has worked extensively in tribal government and was most recently the director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education, until she resigned to pursue writing full time. She joins a growing number of Indigenous writers who are making an impact.
Most recently, the prestigious Caldecott Medal — honoring children book authors and illustrators — was awarded to illustrator Michaela Goade and author Carole Lindstrom for their book, “We Are the Water Protectors,” a picture book promoting the protection of water resources.
Prior to that, Tommy Orange wrote, “There There,” about the contemporary urban Native American culture in Los Angeles. Louise Erdrich still leads the pantheon of Indigenous writers with her 12 novels set on Native American land, and Joy Harjo has played an admirable role as the nation’s Poet Laureate.
Boulley’s young adult tale doesn’t stray far from the rural fictional reservation she created in Sault Ste. Marie, which is the centerpiece for her story. The protagonist, Daunis Fontaine, is a super-bright recent high school graduate looking forward to her freshman year at the University of Michigan, where she wants to pursue a pre-med degree. Daunis, who played hockey for her high school, is like any other young woman — up for a party and checking out the guys, except she is deeply connected to her culture and family.
Everything changes when she becomes attracted to Jamie, a new guy in town who makes the Sault’s elite travelling hockey team. No one knows much about the mysterious stranger.
Daunis life begins to spin out of control when her friends begin dying of meth overdoses, and she is recruited as a confidential informant for the FBI — the same role played by her uncle, a respected high school teacher, who died from a suspected meth overdose.
Support City Pulse - Donate Today!
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here