Even in the worst catastrophe, there is something unknown and cherished to be discovered. We are certain that all life and death contain something cherished that can be observed; if we listen, if we look for its internal dynamic, watch its behaviour, and commit to its being, we may discover it. Once we discover it, we can establish a relationship with it. Despite the distance maintained between the barracuda and ourselves, we still have a relationship with it. That relationship is one of cherishing the distance between predator and prey; in this way, the barracuda becomes a teacher, and the relationship is one of student and teacher. The space is deep green water.
The Spouter-Inn begins its second year (happy birthday to us!) by reading a book that challenges and provokes us in a number of ways (only a few of which we talk about): Lee Maracle’s Memory Serves. Lee Maracle is a writer, activist, and Elder of the Stó:lo Nation, and this book is a collection of oratories—which is a term and a methodology that struck Chris and Suzanne as fascinating, and one which poses a lot of questions about the approaches they might take (and the limits they encounter) as they make this podcast.
Show Notes.Lee Maracle: Memory Serves: Oratories. [Bookshop. NeWest Press.]
Some other works by Lee Maracle: Ravensong. Celia’s Song. I Am Woman. My Conversations with Canadians.
An interview with Lee Maracle.
Two additional resources for starting to learn about Indigenous literatures:
Daniel Heath Justice: Why Indigenous Literatures Matter.
Gregory Younging: Elements of Indigenous Style (aimed at publishers but useful beyond that).
Michel de Montaigne: Essays.
We’ve been nominated for a Canadian Podcasting Award in the Outstanding Arts Category! If you are a Canadian podcaster, you’re eligible to vote for us (so please do).
Next episode: C.L.R. James: The Black Jacobins.
Support The Spouter-Inn on Patreon, help us make the show possible, and chat about books with us in a members-only Slack!
