Lee Maracle’s Bobbi Lee Indian Rebel tells the narrative of an Indigenous woman raised in North America who finds her strength despite the forces that challenge and oppress her. Grippingly honest, Lee’s autobiographical exploration of post-colonial tensions in Toronto circa 1960-1980 sheds light on the existing racist and sexist sentiments affecting Indigenous women. Reflective of the struggles Indigenous communities face today, this book continues to hold a place within contemporary Indigenous and women’s studies classrooms. New and updated, this edition features a preface by Lee Maracle. Reviews: “With courage, honesty, humour, and integrity, Lee Maracle has set down on paper the beginnings of her life-journey. Her story is not pretty nor is it a romantic vision, but a true and clear history of growing up Native and female in North America. This book belongs on all bookshelves alongside Maria Campbell’s Half Breed.” — Beth Brant (1990 review), author of Mohawk Trail and Writing as Witness “This is the charged story of a Native woman who has done more than survive, who despite great odds has burst forth singing a warrior song. She dares to question that which is most painful in this continental wounding (call it history, call it genocide) larger than all of us. You will be changed.” — Joy Harjo, poet, musician, and author of She Had Some Horses and Crazy Brave “Bobbi Lee Indian Rebel was a groundbreaking book in the 1970s and is still urgently relevant today.… The book is an early depiction of Indigenous women’s resilience in the face of colonialism. The personal story frames the political story—as memoir does. Maracle has gone on to become one of the most important writers in Canada.” — Linda Warley, Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo Table of Contents Foreword by Jeannette Armstrong Preface Author’s Note: Oka Peace Camp—September 9, 1990 Dedication Prologue 1. Turbulent Childhood 2. Early Rebellion 3. With California Farmworkers 4. Problems at Home 5. Hippie Lifestyle 1967 6. Toronto: Anti-War Demonstrations and Racism 7. “A Real Bad Trip” 8. Involved with Life Again 9. Red Power 10. Fish-In! 11. Street Patrol 12. Out of the City 13. Harassed 14. Confronting White Chauvinism Epilogue About the Author: Lee Maracle was a member of the Sto:Lo nation and the author of the critically acclaimed novels Celia's Song, Ravensong, and Daughters Are Forever. She was one of only five Canadian authors ever shortlisted for the Neustadt Award, commonly referred to as "the American Nobel." Maracle was one of the founders of the En'owkin International School of Writing and the cultural director of the Centre for Indigenous Theatre. She received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work promoting writing among Aboriginal Youth and was a Member of the Order of Canada. She had served as Distinguished Visiting Scholar at the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and the University of Western Washington. Maracle lived in Vancouver, BC where she passed away in 2021.
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