Firekeeper's Daughter

Plot Summary

WD-40, moss, cat pee, smells keep bringing Daunis back to the scene, even if she just wants to be further from it. Bad things come in threes, and after her uncle's death last year, GrandMary’s stroke, and now this, she hopes that it will be over. But then comes a beautiful boy with all of his own problems that reminds Daunis that it can’t be over, not until someone gets to the bottom of what is causing so much pain and death for the Sugar Island Ojibwe tribe. Together with her scientific knowledge, Ojibwe teachings, community connections, and a bit of hockey prowess, she can solve the mystery and find closure for herself and her community along the way.

A good companion website to go along with the novel. There is more information about Ojibwe culture, meanings, and pronunciations of Anishinaabemowin words: https://ojibwe.net/firekeepers-daughter/  

Creative Use for a Library Program 

A great program inspired by Firekeeper’s Daughter would be one that works with the local tribes in the area. For my library, we would work with the Ohlone or even the Coast Miwok. There are many different programs that could be developed, but it would be important to create them in tandem with the tribe, letting them choose what they want to share about their culture. It could be a program with a local artist, or about local plants, or even a lesson about current indigenous practices. Regardless of what program is developed, it's important to make sure that the library isn't just taking information and work from the people in the tribe, but that it is creating a reciprocal relationship. 

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation

This book is likely to be challenged because of its inclusion of drugs, gun violence, sexual assault, and pedophilia. This is a crime-centered novel, so there are descriptions of crimes, how they are committed, and the real effects of them. There are multiple deaths that occur because of the meth being created and sold, and Daunis is put into real danger at multiple points in the narrative. She is even assaulted at one point by an older man. While none of the narrative is based on a true story, it is rooted in the realities of violence and assault that happen to Native people, particularly Native women. These are stories that happen, and they deserve to be shared. Not only are these stories important for those who have shared experiences with the characters, but it is a way to highlight the reality and injustices that are occurring in real life. 

None of the violence or drugs are glorified, and all of it shows the real and terrible consequences of them. This book is not an endorsement of these actions, but a display of their reality. The book instead promotes the ideas of community, family, trust, and hard work.

Reason for Inclusion

This was one of the books that was required for my Young Adult Materials course. I hadn’t heard of it before, and I probably wouldn’t have picked it up on my own, as a thriller about drugs and hockey would have driven me away despite the Indigenous author and characters. I’m glad that I read it, though. Boulley’s writing was enrapturing, and she set up a narrative that collapsed perfectly at the end as each piece that was set up was shown off. This book is not only a great piece of fiction, but it is also a great piece that delves into the Ojibwe culture and people, showing pieces of their philosophies, stories, and communities. Just as Daunis is a testament to her tribe, Boulley is a testament to hers and the power of a narrative. This book deserves its many awards and should find its place on every library’s shelf.