PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan – We all need role models, regardless of age. And parents hope their daughters will follow the steps of a female role model, or what Kelly Fournel describes as a trailblazer – women who have overcome obstacles and barriers to find their own brand of success.
The 10 Native women she selected for her debut novel, ”Native Women of Courage,” are the condensed life stories of some of Indian country’s most prolific female trailblazers, an attractive group for her target audience, girls ages 9 – 13. Each story is simply written, and could easily appeal to girls of all ages.
”I hope that it draws attention to the diversity of experiences, but also makes young women aware that as human beings, we all share the same desire to be happy, healthy and free to lead the lives we’re inspired to live,” she said.
Fournel, Metis, said finding which 10 women to pick was the easiest part of the job. As an avid reader, over the years she has read numerous publications in both aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities and has come across articles on the women featured in her book. ”The images and stories of the book’s featured women found me,” she said.
For instance, Thocmetony (Sarah) Winnemucca, Paiute, made the list for becoming the first Native woman to publish a book in the United States. The book, ”Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims,” was published in 1883.
The book also features Mary Kim Titla, Apache and the first Native woman to become a television news reporter. Titla is currently running for a congressional seat in Arizona, and is the publisher of Native Youth Magazine.
All the women share a common thread – they have overcome obstacles to make their life better and have inspired other women to do the same. The remaining eight all come from different walks of life, but with equally captivating stories.
Sandra Lovelace Nicholas, Maliseet, went before the United Nations with a petition on behalf of First Nations women’s right and won. Winona LaDuke, Anishinaabeg, has authored books, is an ongoing environmental activist and was a vice-presidential candidate. Susan Aglukark, Inuit and a singer and songwriter, won three Juno music awards.
Wilma Pearl Mankiller became the first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation. Suzanne Rochon-Burnett, Metis, was the first woman that was granted a Canadian FM broadcasting license. Maria Tallchief, Osage, danced her way to prima ballerina for the New York City Ballet, and is the cofounder of Chicago City Ballet Company. Lorna B. Williams, Lil’wat First Nation, developed Native curriculum for First Nations schools in Canada.
Emily Pauline Johnson-Tekahionwake, Mohawk, enjoyed some success as an author and was ahead of her time when she advocated for Native women’s rights up until her death in 1913.
Writing for this age group came simple for Fournel. She said that she wanted to focus on each woman’s childhood, as it is the age span that the target audience would most relate to.
”I was surprised at how quickly I took to writing for this age group,” she said. ”I had done a bit of reading that suggested using shorter sentences, more simple topics, and to avoid using obscure words – good advice for adult readers, too.”
Surprisingly, Fournel holds a Bachelor of Science in Archaeology with an area of concentration in human remains. But after completing her degree, and having been a part of two excavations, she realized that not all aspects of archaeology appealed to her. ”I loved the research and writing that went along with my degree, but the writing was very academic,” she said.
The opportunity to write a book became a reality when she moved to Toronto, Ontario, with her husband so they both could attend graduate school.
Part of her degree program consisted of an internship with a local publishing company, and she was lucky enough to be paired up with Second Story Press, the publisher of her novel. ”I worked primarily as an editorial intern reviewing manuscripts that were in the ‘slush pile’ as well as doing some proofreading and copyediting work,” she said.
Near the end of her six-week internship, she went out for coffee with Second Story’s publisher, Margie Wolfe. It was during that meeting when she asked what kind of work she would engage in at the end of her internship. ”I told her that I didn’t really know, maybe some freelance work,” she said.
Meanwhile, she completed a one-year graduate diploma in book and magazine publishing from Centennial College in May 2006.
Fournel said that Wolfe and Bob Holzapfel, the Book Publishing Company’s president and sales manager, wanted to co-publish a book that featured First Nations women for the ”Women’s Hall of Fame” series in Canada, and the Native Trailblazer series in the states, under 7th Generation publishing company.
”Margie told me that she thought I was a confident young woman, and she offered me the chance to work on a list of women that I would like to feature in the book,” she said. ”I gratefully took up the challenge.”
Fournel said she had always kept a journal, and has found that the process of writing her thoughts down on paper has been very therapeutic. ”I recently re-read some of my childhood/teenage journals and I spent a fair amount of time laughing at my younger self,” she said.
She added that there were some painful experiences she encountered as a child. But her ability to write her feelings out, and put things in perspective, helped to lessen outbreaks of the blues. ”So, my other message to young women is this: Don’t be afraid to keep a journal, write poetry, paint, dance or do anything else that helps you to express yourself,” she said. ”Everyone needs a healthy outlet.”
To order the book online, visit www.fourwindsindianbooks.com or any online bookstore.
