Northern Wildflower is the memoir of Katłįà (Catherine Lafferty), reflecting on education as the key to getting her to a good place in life. Written in small chapters, this book begins with Catherine’s life (including her challenges) as a child, all the way to the positives and negatives in her adult life with children of her own. There are photos of her and her family throughout. The message of resilience and perseverance is repeated throughout the many challenges she faces: on and off relationships, failed marriage, death, poverty, miscarriage, and more. Her journey takes her from the north to the south of Canada frequently, as she finds herself in Edmonton, Victoria, and other locations in the country – all in her hunt for safety, love, happiness, and good health. This is an excellent source to use in chapters or as a whole in English classrooms, as a model of a memoir in Creative Writing classrooms, and as a way to examine healthy and unhealthy relationships and family dynamics in Family Studies classes. While the subject matter deals with sensitive topics, the positive message triumphs.

158 pp., 6 × 9", b&w photographs

Katłįà – Catherine Lafferty (Dene)

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Catherine Lafferty grew up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where she was primarily raised by her grandparents, who instilled in her a sense of pride in who she is and where she comes from. Catherine honours her First Nation background through her position as a Council Member for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. Her hobbies include writing, creating music and film, and spending time with her family.

Catherine Lafferty's profile page

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson's profile page

Katłı̨̀ą is a northern Dene woman who spends her time between her ancestral homelands in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Lekwungen Speaking Peoples Coast Salish Territory. She is the author of multiple books, including a memoir, Northern Wildflower, written as Catherine Lafferty. Katłı̨̀ą is a mother, grandmother and articling lawyer.

Katłı̨̀ą's profile page

“Lafferty has pulled this off with disarming honesty and grace.”

Quill and Quire, January 2018

“Reading Catherine Lafferty’s memoir Northern Wildflower, I kept wondering if my responses to it made me a morally reprehensible human being, a Donald Trump of the reviewing world. How can a story of growing up as a First Nations Dene woman in the Northwest Territories and Alberta against a backdrop of addiction, violence, poverty, prostitution rings, and teen pregnancy be so charming, joyous, and life-affirming? Do I find the way it explores or resists trauma relatable?” – Kamal Al-Solaylee, Quill and Quire

Catherine Lafferty’s life story as a daughter and mother wanting more for her family and for herself is so completely inspiring. Northern Wildflower is a celebration of soul, grace and dignity. I am floored with the talent, courage and heart inside this wonderful debut.

Richard Van Camp, author of The Lesser Blessed