Joseph Dandurand’s new book
October 03rd, 2024
The fourth in the Kwantlen Stories Then and Now series by award-winning author Joseph Dandurand is here! Following The Girl Who Loved the Birds, A Magical Sturgeon and The Sasquatch, the Fire and the Cedar Baskets, comes his latest book, The Bears and the Magic Masks (Nightwood $15.95) for children ages 6-8.
This book follows the story of the bears who have lived with the Kwantlen people side by side for many years. And when the master carver falls into the river, the bears spring into action and saves him. To show gratitude, the master carver gifts the bears animal masks. But the bears have no idea that the masks wield magic.
In the following interview with Joseph Dandurand, he explores how the Kwantlen people’s cultural heritage and history inspire The Bears and the Magic Masks, the author’s storytelling process, his collaboration with illustrator Elinor Atkins, and more.
How did the traditional stories and cultural heritage of the Kwantlen people inspire the narrative of The Bears and the Magic Masks and its portrayal of the unique relationship between bears and the Kwantlen community?
Because of history, smallpox wiped out 80% of the Kwantlen. Additional factors like residential schools led to the loss of our language. We are an oral-based people and therefore our history and stories were not written in a book. These factors shape our stories today as we have nothing to pull our stories from: No books. No living elders with knowledge of past stories. We teach each of our children that we all have a gift. There are some who are good fishermen. There are some who make the fires. I wish to believe that my gift is the gift of storytelling. All of my stories come from my imagination alone.
In what ways does your new book, The Bears and the Magic Masks, reflect the themes of resilience, interconnectedness and the preservation of cultural traditions within the Kwantlen Stories Then and Now series?
In all of my children’s stories, whether in book form or short stories or plays created for children, I always leave the reader with the teaching in all of my work for children that you should always give something back. That you should not take from the earth everything or else there will be nothing left. This is a simple Kwantlen teaching.
As a Kwantlen man, how do you balance preserving sacred stories and sharing powerful emotions and lessons through your writing for young readers, particularly when addressing challenging topics?
I know what to share and not what to share. For children, my sharing of stories hopefully brings joy and understanding. For me to share my work brings joy when I share my words with children.
Can you elaborate on the significance of incorporating animals like the sasquatch, wolves, and ravens in your poetry and storytelling, considering the historical importance and spiritual connections these creatures hold within the Kwantlen culture?
I have used animals in my work from the first story that I wrote 30 years ago. All of my children’s works have animals, both real and mythical. I use what I see every day: eagles, ravens, and bears. Within our culture, animals are very important to us. The fish are truly important to us. We feel that they are just like us, wanting to survive. Animals allow me to create characters and tell simple stories. This is what we have done since our time began.
Can you describe your creative partnership with illustrator Elinor Atkins, who illustrated your previous two books in the Then and Now series? What is the process, and how much input do you have in the illustrations?
I have known Elinor since she was born. She and my eldest daughter are the same age. I began using Elinor’s work for my poetry books and asked her if she could illustrate my second children’s book, The Magical Sturgeon. What she created was wonderful; now we have produced our third book together. It’s a very simple process. I send her the story, and she tells me she can instantly see the story, and she begins to paint. She is an amazing artist!
Besides being an accomplished poet, children’s book author and community leader, you’re also an educator and often teach classes on storytelling to young people of all ages, including high school students. How do you hope The Bears and the Magic Masks will resonate with those readers and contribute to their understanding and appreciation of Indigenous stories, values and cultural heritage?
For me, teaching is wonderful, and I love it when I am reading a story, and I have their attention and they can see the images I am trying to share with them. I read all my children’s work to people of all ages—from kindergarten students to adults. I hope they go away hearing something that is old and that they take something away from the story. I also love to teach kids how to write. They are so pure, and I love it when they read what they have created to me. I believe that all of us have something to share.
Given your background as a poet and director of the Kwantlen Cultural Centre, how do you see children’s literature as a means of preserving and sharing Indigenous knowledge and traditions for future generations?
I think now, through books, we can share and educate the young. I always encourage kids to read. Books are so important. I hope that in the future, a child will pick up one of my books and read it, enjoy it, and want to create their own story.
What are you working on now?
I am 100 pages into a new manuscript of poetry. I wake up at 5 a.m. each morning and write one poem a day. When I am coming to the end of a project, I am already thinking of my next project. Next, I think I will write more short stories for children.
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