A warm Kegedonce Press welcome to acclaimed filmmaker, artist, activist and poet Marjorie Beaucage, whose book leave some for the birds: movements for justice will be released in spring, 2023.
Marjorie Beaucage is a Two-Spirit Métis Auntie, filmmaker, art-ivist and educator, a land protector and a water walker. Born in Vassar, Manitoba, to a large Métis family, Marjorie’s life’s work has been about creating social change, working to give people the tools for creating possibilities and right relations. She has been a Grandmother for Walking With Our Sisters; the Elder for OUT Saskatoon; and the Elder-In-Residence for the University of Saskatchewan Student Union. As a current Board Member of Chokecherry Studios, she is giving back to future art-ivists as they stand up for themselves and their community through creating art, music, writing. She just finished six short harm-reduction videos for creating possibilities of wellness with story medicine.
Her forthcoming poetic narrative, leave some for the birds, gathers her reflections on seven decades of life seeking justice as a two-spirit Michif/Metis woman. The book unfolds the experiences and wisdom of a woman who has dedicated much of her life and talent to creating social change. It’s a reflection on a life in poetry, poetic prose, and allegorical ‘recipes’ for change – all accompanied by some of the author’s beautiful photographs and collage artwork.
Marjorie writes: “I have been part of many social movements in my life, and in the last 40 years I have expressed my search for justice as an art-ivist – using art and story medicine to create social change. I came to understand the movements of my life as currents running through me, deep underground streams, unconscious still waters, dammed up tributaries, spring melts. Childhood, spirituality, woman-ness, revolution, creation were sources sustaining me as I navigated my place and purpose in life.”
From the prologue to leave some for the birds:
“Each ‘movement’ of my life has been an encounter with the injustices of colonialism and poverty, and as I collected these stories together, I saw themes that my younger activist self could have learned from. Especially the need to sustain and heal one’s spirit in a world that has too often undervalued difference.
“I have also reflected on the impact of the feminist movement on Indigenous women and my relations with women as a part of my journey. As a filmmaker and storyteller I have examined institutional racism in its many forms and their impact on me. It is time for us to be seen and heard. I believe the world is ready for a different way of seeing and being.”
Kegedonce Press is thrilled to welcome Marjorie Beaucage to our list of amazing Indigenous authors. leave some for the birds: movements for justice is available for pre-order now and will be released in May, 2023.