Moccasin Square Gardens Read online

  “Wheetago War II: Summoners” was published in the Inhabit Media horror anthology Taaqtumi, in 2019. It is dedicated to Amanda Spotted Fawn and Bracken Hanuse.

  “The Promise” is dedicated to Jon Liv Jaque, Richard Mercredi Jr., Joel Duthie, Chris Paul, Trevor Cameron, Leif Gregersen, Dusty Kamps, Graeme Comyn, Garth Prosper, Mike Mahussier, James Croizier, Shane Turgeon, Alex Russo and to my brothers Roger, Johnny and Jamie.

  “Man Babies” is dedicated to all of the man babies out there. You know who you are … and so do we. :)

  “I Am Filled with a Trembling Light” is dedicated to Rose and Ric Richardson and Gregory Scofield.

  “Ehtsèe/Grandpa” is dedicated to the memory of my ehtsèe, Pierre Wah-Shee, and my ehtsı̨, Melanie Wah-shee. I would also like to thank Rosa Mantla, Dr. Leslie Saxon, Terri Naskan, Tony Rabesca, my Uncle Alexis Washie, my mom, Rosa Wah-shee, Barb and Richard Mercredi Sr., Earl and Marlene Evans and Michel Labine and his family and the late Jennifer Naedzo for helping me craft this story.

  “Knock Knock” is dedicated to all of our Elders, especially Irene Sanderson, Seraphine Evans, Helena Mandeville, Rosa Mercredi, Marilyn Buffalo, Bob Cardinal, Dora Torangeau and Henry and Eileen Beaver.

  “I Have to Trust” is dedicated to my wife, Keavy Martin, and to Ekwo, our spirit daughter.

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  I am grateful to the Canadian Consortium on Performance and Politics in the Americas for support with this work. They gave me a laptop when my war pony of a computer crossed over. Mahsi cho!

  I am also grateful to the Metro Edmonton Federation of Libraries in Alberta for letting me be their Writer in Residence in 2017.

  I am grateful too to Athabasca University for having me as Writer in Residence for 2017–18.

  I am grateful. Mahsi cho, everyone. Bless you all. Mahsi!

  Richard Van Camp

  Photo Credit: William Au An internationally renowned storyteller and best-selling author, Richard Van Camp was born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and is a member of the Tłı̨chǫ Dene Nation. He acted as a cultural consultant for CBC Television’s North of 60. A graduate of the En’owkin School of Writing in Penticton, he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing at the University of Victoria and completed his Master’s of Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Richard was awarded Storyteller of the Year for both Canada and the US by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. He is the author of twenty-two books including the novel The Lesser Blessed (Douglas & McIntyre, 1996).