At Grand Ledge High School, the librarian Michelle D’Alessandro decided to participate in Michigan’s statewide reading initiative by selecting Firekeeper’s Daughter for a group read. She approached English teacher Anna Montgomery, who also holds a degree in library science, to collaborate on bringing the book to the school. Together, they worked to introduce the novel to students, offering them the opportunity to read it and join weekly meetings where they could discuss its themes, characters, and plot.
Firekeeper’s Daughter, written by Angeline Bouley, was published in 2021. This novel follows Daunis Fontaine, an 18-year-old Ojibwe woman who is caught between the deep roots in her community and a dangerous undercover mission she’s become thrust into when tragic events unfold in her town. Daunis is forced to confront her cultural identity, family loyalty, and problems that the world around her brings as she navigates love and loss.
Taking place on Sugar Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the novel delves into Ojibwe traditions, the importance of community, and the difficult conversations about substance abuse, crime, and systemic challenges that many Native communities face. Firekeeper’s Daughter explores themes of identity, belonging, and resilience.
The decision to select this book for a group read at Grand Ledge High School (GLHS) had a purpose. ,
“Firekeeper’s Daughter” is the 2023-2024 Great Michigan Read selected by the Michigan Humanities organization. Grand Ledge Area District Library and area churches-to read this book together during the month of January,” GLHS school librarian, Michelle D’Alessandro said.
This initiative aims to create deep discussions about culture, family, and personal strength.
The significance of The Firekeeper’s Daughter, both generally and for students, lies in its portrayal of Native American experiences. Author Angeline Bouley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians presents a modern-day story that touches a range of pressing issues affecting Native Americans today.
“While the novel is a work of fiction, Bouley gives us a story that depicts many different challenges facing Native Americans. The benefit for students is they can relate to Daunis, a young adult, as she forms her values and identity,” D’Alessandro said.
The book also touches on adolescent identity, particularly Daunis’s biracial experience.
“Daunis’s biracial identity, helps us understand her empathy. Her family is half white and half Ojibwe, and the stress that places on her is demonstrated throughout the story. And yet, she respects and tries to understand the cultures and traditions from both sides of her family,” D’Alessandro said.
The theme of empathy and understanding different perspectives is something D’Alessandro finds particularly interesting.
“Empathy for others is something we all need to practice right now,” D’Alessandro said.
As the group prepares for the discussions, there’s an excitement about the lessons that can be drawn from the novel. In particular, the exploration of Native American spirituality and traditions offers a unique perspective.
“Native Americans’ spirituality, inspired by reverence for the natural world, has always been a personal interest…and it’s been rewarding to learn about the Anishinabe culture and the Anishinaabe language, a small but powerful reminder of the cultural richness shared in the novel,” D’Alessandro said.
Through Firekeeper’s Daughter, students are encouraged not only to engage with the narrative but also reflect on larger societal issues, identity struggles, and the importance of empathy.
“There is artwork in the library that I focus on a lot. It’s a pulsing heart, with the quote: ‘the same blood runs in every human on the earth-you just have to see past the variations in the skin and culture.’ This quote resonates with the novel’s themes and is something we can all take to heart as we move forward with the discussions,” D’Alessandro said.
