my heart is a stray bullet is the first collection of poems by Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm. The poems in this collection examine issues of identity, positionality, desire, and unity from the perspective of a First Nations woman of mixed ancestry.

“Damm’s cries for belonging seem to touch chords for all humankind.”
–The Ottawa Citizen

“Thank you for this medicine bundle. It’s filled with feathers laced with outrage, courage, whispers from the heart and a sincere unyielding hope.”
–Richard Van Camp, author of Angel Wing Splash Pattern

i witness

i will give you my testimonies
and i will bear the brunt of your questions
and disbelief
i will offer my photographs as evidence
and describe the captured moments
with expert accuracy
i will disconnect my heart
and
my head
for the moment
to show you what it is
you want to know

i will be there when the case is heard

–from my heart is a stray bullet