residential schools, boarding schools, Indigenous, Aboriginal, prejudice and racism, family, grandfather, Cree
Melanie Florence has been recognized for her ability to write about Indigenous history and culture with sensitivity and compassion. Stolen Words has particular importance for Melanie because it was inspired by her own grandfather, who kept his Cree identity and his experience at a residential school a secret from her and his family. As a result, Melanie did not get the chance to have the healing exchange of language and culture with him that is shared by the characters in her story.
