An Aboriginal Presence

An Aboriginal Presence

Rita Joe

Mi'kmaq poet Rita Joe was born in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton. Orphaned at the age of 10, Rita Joe lived with foster families before attending the Shubenacadie Residential School from 1944 to 1948. She began writing poetry in 1973 and published her first book, Poems of Rita Joe, in 1978.

Rita Joe now promotes Aboriginal art and culture through speaking engagements in Canada and around the world. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1990.

We Are the Dreamers: Recent and Early Poetry, by Rita Joe, Wreck Cove, Nova Scotia: Breton Books, 1999 Image: Courtesy of Breton Books CMC PR 9199.3 J55 W4 1999