Two weeks ago I read at The Writers Room put on by ANDPVA (The Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts). It was fitting to be on the same card as great poets and signers such as Nicole Tanguay and Faith Nolan whom have inspired many artists, and with the headliner, Duke Redbird, a poet who helped break down barriers for Brown people.
Why was it fitting?
Because we are all on the same page in terms of STOPPING violence against Aboriginal women which was the theme for the open mic portion. It was also fitting because January is mentors month and I read a memoir essay, The Bannock Teaching, about one of my mentors, Lee Maracle, teaching me how to make bannonck.
I read my piece and heard the crowd enjoying every minute of it. I honoured my writing mom, carried on tradition, and saw validation for all the time my mentors have put in me and all the time I have put in my craft. It was a great feeling!
Please enjoy The Bannock Teaching!
Check out the Black Coffee Poet YOUTUBE channel for more videos of poetry, interviews, roundtables, and workshops.
Black Coffee Poet 
“There’s always a story…” So true. And how fitting, too, that you’re carrying on the circle of mentoring for another.