Alice

About the Book

“What’s your name? Is it Susie or Sam?” This line from an early rock song can aptly describe the question that is the driving force for the young boy in this book. He is taken to a residential school, where his name and identity are stolen from him. In this school, he is given a name that is not his own and is forced to forget his native language and culture. In this school, however, he is contacted by a spirit who helps him learn the language of the stars. She tells the boy her name is Alice. The stone people said: In the beginning of my people’s story The first creation was stone The Great Spirit with mystery in mind Impregnated this stone with life Knowing full and well that water, Music, and muse Would crack open the stone And set Great Spirit’s fire free winterhawk

About the Author

Stephen Laforme is a Status Indian - a member of the Mississaugas of the Credit. He was born in Hagersville Ontario located on the Eastern edge of the New Credit Reserve in Canada. He moved to Toronto to pursue his Dreams in the former lands of his ancestors at the age of 19. WinterHawk is one of his Spirit names - given to Stephen in those Dreams.