| Summary: |
Anne Acco’s Ekosi is a highly personal, self-reflective poetry and prose anthology. Ekosi, which means “that’s all” or “the end” in Cree, is an aptly-named title for this collection since Anne shares with the reader a lifetime of memories from her childhood in Cumberland House, Saskatchewan to her days in a far-away boarding school to vacations in Trinidad, her husband’s homeland. Grounded in the Cree/Métis community of Cumberland House, Anne pays homage to her family, her community, and her Métis culture, which has guided her throughout her life. Focusing on personal and community remembrances, Anne’s poems and stories reflect her deep spirituality and her resolute pride in her family and home community. Mixed with this pride is indignation at the unjustness of Canada’s ongoing colonization of its First Peoples. The personalities emerging from these poems and stories are poignant and disparate and range from her great-grandmother, Angélique to former Haitian dictator, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier. The reflections in Ekosi are from Anne’s childhood and young adulthood – experiences that have passed. By sharing these memories, Anne hopes that others will find the encouragement to share their own stories before they are lost. Family is a recurring theme in Ekosi, and to honour Anne’s family, many photographs of her children and grandchildren are included through the book. Jean-Paul Acco, Anne’s son, provides the book’s illustrations. |
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