Claiming Anishinaabe
Decolonizing the Human Spirit
Description
Denied her Indigenous status, Lynn Gehl has been fighting her entire life to reclaim mino-pimadiziwin--the good life. Exploring Anishinaabeg philosophy and Anishinaabeg conceptions of truth, Gehl shows how she came to locate her spirit and decolonize her identity, thereby becoming, in her words, "fully human." Gehl also provides a harsh critique of Canada and takes on important anti-colonial battles, including sex discrimination in the Indian Act and the destruction of sacred places.
"Gehl is at the cutting edge with her concepts and ideas... She is on a journey and documents it well." - Lorelei Anne Lambert, author of Research for Indigenous Survival
"[C]lear, insightful, and desperately needed..." - Lorraine F. Mayer, author of Cries from a Métis Heart
"[T]he discussion of the heart and mind knowledge, as well as the discussion on the Anishinaabeg Clan System of Governance, [are] major contributions to the research." - Marlyn Bennett, co-editor of Pushing the Margins
Reviews
"Throughout Claiming Anishinaabe, the conversation remains rooted in the destructive effects of oppressive power on the human spirit, and an insistence that both knowledge and spirituality are key in reclaiming one’s sense of self." Quill & Quire