Isaac Murdoch releases first book in new series

By Heather Campbell

SUDBURY— Preserving Anishinaabemowin and traditional knowledge is an important responsibility that Isaac Murdoch has taken on. His Ojibwe name is Manzinapkinegego’anaabe/Bombgiizhik and he is from the Fish Clan and Serpent River First Nation. With the support of Kegedonce Press, and in collaboration with Christi Belcourt, his book, The Trail of Nenaboozhoo: and Other Creation Stories, was published in December 2019.

Christi Belcourt, a Métis visual artist and author, edited the book and contributed her artwork. The two artists work together as part of the Onaman Collective, along with Erin Konsmo. Their collaborations go beyond art and writing— they also opened a land-based camp, Nimkii Aazhibikong, near Serpent River to give youth and Elders an opportunity to connect through language and traditional Anishinaabe activities.

Murdoch has been promoting the book in community, schools and city audiences such as the Winnipeg International Writers Festival and International Festival of Authors in Toronto. He recently spoke to students, faculty and community at the University of Sudbury.

“I found myself living and traveling with Elders at a young age,” he shared. “I heard a lot of stories and would hear the same stories, or variations of the stories, over and over again.”

The Elders offered their blessings to share the stories in printed books; however, there are some stories not to be printed.

He started collecting the stories and transcribing so more Indigenous youth could have access. The stories are shared in both Ojibwe and English, and is being used as a language learning tool. He has amassed a large collection of stories and songs and plan to publish up to six books.

“It is important now just due to the fact that we have lost so much language and stories, do what we could to preserve them. I am a strong believer that the oral history comes through songs, through dance and ceremony,” he explained.

Murdoch encouraged the audience to spend time with grandparents as they have much to share with us.

Profits from book sales will go directly to the Anishinaabe (Ojibway) language teachers who work out of Nimkii Aazhibikong.

Copies of the book are available online from Kegedonce Press, Chapters and Amazon.