Review by Morning.star
I have found a fellow traveler in Armand Garnet Ruffo, and so, first of all I have to say THANK YOU for Treaty #.
'First Words' (page 72) is probably my favorite from among the pieces in this collection. It left me with the feeling of having been spoken to directly (or, whispered in my ear). It brought me to tears and I thank you for that, Armand.
Thank you, too, for 'Indian Fare' (page 59). These words brought back vivid memories of a summer spent on Lake Pogamasing (at a remote lodge only accessible by plane or train) in the company of two indigenous guides - Peter and Angus. Travelling in a canoe at midnight under a full moon and portaging to the Spanish River to cast for pickerel, the best bannock ever, the biggest lake trout I've ever seen, and night after night of friendly games of euchre ... all in the best of company (each of whom at the end of the summer generously gifted me with the shirt off his back - literally). The entire summer was made magical by their friendship.
And thank you for 'Sudbury, Night' (page 82) - my home town, a place where, regardless of the color of our skins, we were ALL slaves to the white bosses (who were remarkably, but not surprisingly absent from this black, corrosive hole in the ground - the stinking armpit of the nation).
Here are more words ... mine, in response to your efforts at capturing your life's experiences in words - revelatory, achingly beautiful, profoundly evocative, intimate, and painfully insightful; and, with the exception of 'Spider and the Sun' (page 76), which conforms to my rigid definition of what constitutes poetry, highly poetic prose that succeeds in delicately revealing the harsh truths of native life since and under The Occupation.
This collection should be made part of every high school curriculum.