Garry Gottfriedson is an accomplished poet and Secwépemc leader who has written several books of poetry. His collection in Bent Back Tongue references important themes of colonialism, residential school history and impacts, and identity. His works also speak to larger Canadian and global issues such as Canada’s “colonial birthday” and climate change. Garry’s poetry is also laced with humour and love, both vague and apparent, as seen in the poems “L.O.L.” and “Ghost Stories.” This collection speaks to the nature of poetry and metaphor told through an Indigenous lens, as he remarks, “Poetry is a trickster.” Gottfriedson’s collection would be a terrific resource for explorations in Canada’s colonial history and contemporary context and to enrich any English Language Arts course library.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Mature content, references to trauma and abuse.
Contributor Affiliation: Garry Gottfriedson (Secwépemc)
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Source: Books BC - Indigenous Books for Schools

Garry Gottfriedson, from the Secwepemc nation (Shuswap), was born, raised and lives in Kamloops, B.C. Growing up on a ranch in a ranching and rodeo family, he has been fully immersed in his people’s traditions and spirituality. He comes from four generations of horse people. His passion for horses, raising and training them, still continues to this day. He holds a Master of Education from Simon Fraser University and has studied Creative Writing at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado. His published works include 100 Years of Contact (SCES, 1990); In Honour of Our Grandmothers (Theytus, 1994); Glass Tepee (Thistledown, 2002, and nominated for First People’s Publishing Award 2004); Painted Pony (Partners in Publishing, 2005); Whiskey Bullets (Ronsdale, 2006, and Anskohk Aboriginal Award finalist); Skin Like Mine (Ronsdale, 2010, and shortlisted for Canadian Authors Association Award for Poetry); Jimmy Tames Horses (Kegedonce, 2012); Chaos Inside Thunderstorms (Ronsdale, 2014); Deaf Heaven (Ronsdale, 2016). His works have been anthologized both nationally and internationally. He has read from his work across Canada and in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Garry Gottfriedson's profile page

“Garry Gottfriedson’s poetry is so full of truth. Bent Back Tongue is hard hitting and powerful and I hope people are open to hearing and learning from it.”

—Bev Sellars

“Garry’s poems contain everything, they’re tender, fierce, playful, and sharp. They search for the invisible miracle and find it.”

—Sean Cranbury