Trail of the Spirit: The Mysteries of Medicine Power Revealed

ISBN 13: 978-1-897126-08-0
192 pages, paperback
Fall 2006

Non-Fiction | First Nations

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about this book

In this new collection of stories, Dene Elder George Blondin defines medicine power, a gift from the Creator for the Dene way of life. Although medicine power has existed since before time began, here Blondin focuses on the past two hundred years, to show how it has shaped the Dene culture.

Blondin explains the differences between the medicine power that some are lucky enough to be born with, and the medicine power that some receive after birth or are taught by other medicine power people. This collection of stories and examples of Dene individuals who lived throughout history shows that there is a danger of losing the longstanding tradition of medicine power. Although this power can be used for both creation and destruction, it must be preserved as a vital element of the Dene way of life.

In Trail of the Spirit, Blondin is our storyteller— bringing medicine power to life with true stories from Dene history. Blondin explains medicine power clearly, and brings a better understanding of this extraordinary phenomenon into the world. Includes a foreword by Richard Van Camp.

reviews

"This unique book is the warm, inimitable voice of George Blondin telling us more about himself and his Dene people: of faith, of tradition and culture, of animals and magnificent, sometimes deadly landscape ... A book to contemplate, and treasure" —Rudy Wiebe

"Trail of the Spirit is chock full of incredible stories ... demonstrat[ing] the way in which Indigenous stories continue to be remembered, retold, and created anew."—Canadian Literature
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