By Kaylie Seed
Published in April of this year, Before the Usual Time (edited by Darlene Naponse) brings together an exceptional collection of stories and poems written by 17 Indigenous authors from all over the world, including writers from Northern Ontario. Each of the authors who have contributed to Before the Usual Time use their poems and stories to touch on topics such as colonialism, intergenerational trauma, culture, language, residential schools, and traditions. These topics and issues continue to be pervasive in our world and through story and poetry we can begin to learn and understand.
All of the pieces in this collection may share similar themes but they are all remarkably unique and powerful in their own right. At the beginning of each vignette each author is introduced as is the traditional land from which they are from along with a short blurb discussing the author’s other writing accomplishments.
Ranging from small poems to short stories, each of these pieces of “written-art “in Before the Usual Time has stunning imagery and breathtaking prose that is sure to leave an impact on the reader. The writing in this collection needs to be celebrated and it is recommended that the reader look into each of the contributing authors for further readings.
Indigenous writers have incredible stories to share with the world that are meant to teach while also allows for the preserving of their own language, culture, and traditions. Before the Usual Time is an excellent stepping stone that allows readers to find some amazing Indigenous authors to add into their to-be-read lists.
*Thank you to Latitude 46 Publishing for the gifted copy of this book.