Thursday, March 27, 2008

Q: What does Grey Owl and Copper Thunderbird have in common?

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A: Their biographies written by Armand Garnet Ruffo.

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“I like to read because I’m curious about people and about the world.”
Armand Garnet Ruffo


Armand Garnet Ruffo, Ojibwe poet, was born in the small northern town of Chapleau, Ontario and currently resides in Ottawa, where he teaches Native literature and creative writing at Carleton University. He has previously taught creative writing at both the Banff Centre for the Arts and the En'owkin International School of Writing in Penticton, British Columbia.

A former director of the Centre for Aboriginal Education, Research and Culture, his work is strongly influenced by his Ojibwe heritage. His first collection of poetry, Opening in the Sky (Theytus Books, 1994; ISBN: 0-919441-55-6), reveals an abiding interest in the complexities of Aboriginal identity in a multicultural society.


His second book, Grey Owl: The Mystery of Archie Belaney (Coteau Books, 1996; ISBN: 1-55050-109-7), further "raises difficult questions about voice and identity, aboriginal culture, human rights and the environment."

His third collection of poetry, At Geronimo's Grave (Coteau Books, 2001; ISBN: 1-55050-176-3), employs "Geronimo's life as a metaphor for the many abandoned native people on this continent, trapped in the slow-moving vehicle of another culture which is taking them nowhere."

His latest book in progress, Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing Into Thunderbird, is a creative biography of the renowned Ojibway painter and founder of the Woodland School, Norval Morrisseau - Copper Thunderbird. In addition, he has written plays, stories and essays, which continue to appear in literary periodicals, including Red Ink, Rampike, CVII, and absinthe, and anthologies in both Canada and the United States.

In 2010 Mr. Armand Garnet Ruffo's A Widigo Tale has won an award as the best film at 35th annual American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco, California. In addition, he has written plays, stories and essays, which continue to appear in literary periodicals, including Red Ink, Rampike, CVII, and absinthe, and anthologies in both Canada and the United States.

For more info on Armand Garnet Ruffo follow the links below.


Sources:

"Native Wiki" (Native Wikipedia);
"Armand Garnet Ruffo" (The League of Canadian Poets)
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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent portrayal of Armand Ruffo and his achievements. I look forward to his Morrisseau book. His Grey Owl book was an excellent read. Barbarossa

Anonymous said...

Spirit Walker.

You have been questioned a number and asked to share what you know about the questionable paintings to help authenticate them. Your response has typically been to be patient and the truth will be shared. It has not been shared yet.

I was just wondering if you are ever going to provide that evidence that can not be argued that these paintings were painted by Morrisseau. I am interested in hearing more...are you going to share more?

Spirit Walker said...

To All,

Check the Blog tomorrow for the first elaborate study of an example of the Norval Morrisseau's paintings from the 1970s.

Megweetch.