Book Review A Voice from Afro-Acadia by Judith MacKenzie "Every writer," says George book. Why/ah Falls was written, says Clarke, "as a homage to, in Whylah Falls after World War II could be called Romanticism • - - - - - - - - - - - - • Afro-Canadian context. These are some of his loveliest works. Elliott Clarke, "must become an and with respect for, a language meets Reality. It could just as Clarke has an obvious passion eavesdropper." that is part of the Canadian cul- easily be called something bor- for the fundamental structures As a young boy, Clarke tural mosaic." rowed, something new, some- of speech, and in this work he spent many hours eavesdropping While not by any means un- thing old and something blue. plays with many patterns. in warm winter kitchens, on known to Canadians, this south- Strung together with prose, ar- And should Why/ah Falls summer porches and over back- ern black culture which survived chival photographs, recipes, occasionally feel like a sampler yard garden fences, learning the its transplantation to Nova opera, a list of characters (for and the work of a poet who language of the unique Afro- Scotia, trading cotton fields for which I was quite grateful), the wants to try everything once, it is Canadian culture of Nova fishing fleets, may be unfamiliar blues musical theme forms a important to remember Clarke Scotia. to many. major structural element to this is a young poet. Just 30 when A seventh-generation Cana- In Clarke's words Why/ah poem cycle. this book was published, his life dian whose ancestors fought on Falls is a "snowy, northern Mis- In Why/ah Falls you'll also experience shows the same the side of the British during the sissippi with blood splattered, notice much that is borrowed - diversity. He has been an editor, American Revolution, Clarke not on magnolias but on pines, Shakespeare, Pound, Eliot and publisher, social worker, poet grew up in Halifax. But, as he lilacs and wild roses." In the in- Yeats have been well read by and parliamentary aide. Cur- says, his roots are firmly in the troduction to his book, Clarke this man. A good example of this rently, he continues his work as countryside, in the Nova Scotian tells us "these poems are fact is his poem A River Pilgrim: A Whylah: Truth disguised as story a poet and parliamentary aide in community of his maternal presented as fiction. There is no Letter. In this piece, Clarke Ottawa while working toward his grandmother. other way to tell the truth save to transposes Pound's poem A Scotian setting. doctorate in English at Queens. It is this Black Loyalist com- disguise it as a story." River Merchant's Wife, itself a Clarke also translates from Published by Polestar Press munity that forms the basis of He also has said that his translation of a much earlier the Spanish poetry of Lorca and in Winlaw, Why/ah Falls is avail- Whylah Falls, Clarke's latest "fictional reconstruction" of life Chinese writer, to a Nova Neruda, putting them in an able at your favourite bookstore. Another Approach to Sun Worship by Suzanne Down the visible reflection of the The ceremony centers a- Perhaps white civilization could ches to "sun worship" say a lot a- Hot summer sun has finally Great Spirit. round a central pole within a sun observe and learn from them. bout the content of our cultures. arrived, and the beaches are fill- The Sun Dance ritual is lodge or long house. The pole Certainly our different approa- ing with the proverbial "sun wor- considered to be one of the most symbolizes the Sun and is shippers." Even though the serious in developing Native chosen with care and respect ozone's loss of balance threatens spirituality. When the sun is in from the forest trees. It is our health, the sun still beckons. its summer position, the earth decorated with carvings such as We feel our bones warming, and its people are in the state of sun, moon, buffalo and thunder- preparing us for the bird. The moment this long winter ahead. The idea o~ sum- , . ~..._(" • mer sun worship has '-'-... -.:_~ \2,:::;;;;;. a - sacred pole is raised is key to the entire ceremony. The tree long been a North ,._....,__ '<-.~ -- · -~!IE!;)-"'t;J d pole then becomes the American tradition. c::,., _....,._~, ~ physical representative But for Native peoples - - - . , _____,/~ of the spirit force it has a deep and 4== , presiding over the Sun powerful significance. _ ~ Dance celebration. When summer sun is at ~-- ~ ~ Ritual dancing, the year's height, native '<'~--=- · --...._ .-· drumming and singing people gather for the "'r"""'"""""" ~ occur around the sun ceremony of the "Sun pi~~!le~"' pole. The hope is to Dance." With devotion, enter a meditative state discipline and respect through the dancing for the forces of the while focussing on the Sun Being, they celebrate their spiritual quest. Being of the pole. The expansion. In an imaginative pie- objective is to achieve a vision or OPENING SPECIALS The Sun has long been the ture they are virtually able to spiritual answer to their prayers Arni.strong symbol of the Great Spirit for "touch" the source, the Great In the 19th century, white MEDIVM CHEDDAR many natives. It is the source of Spirit. This is the point in the man attempted to banish these Bulk - Randon~ Cur life, for without it no food would year's rhythm where a human ceremonies in an effort to "civi- grow and there would be no has a strong possibility to lize" the Natives. But luckily Nature~" Path Organic warmth. Many prayers are achieve "initiation" or spiritual these religious rituals were CORNF~S directed to the Sun God who is enlightenment. protected and never forgotten. The Be.-,U 500 gni. A::r~ K/ ~- a 4~ :11elp La1..1n..ch Organic W'ATERlYIELON Sweer and Juicy... 6~SIS a PRODUCTIONS :Risin.g Star Knud.~en':.'11 SPRITZERS 9 935'L PNE Talent Search PNE Youth Talent Search. Who will be the lucky con- cheering these talented young people on. Our friends, our Sparkling Fruit Juices 1.~ Flavors 5 • /6pk Thurs, Aug 1, 8 pm testant - the most talented of children, the babysitter, the kid Active Members Only Capitol Theatre, Nelson all to represent us and our com- down the street - they're just a I Sale Prices Effective Wed July 24-Sat July 27 INFO: Judith 354-1110, Nelson munity in Vancouver at the PNE few of the people competing and 354-3910 Youth Talent Search, or in your vote counts. Help choose ~ Memphis, Tenn., at the 3rowm 7b become a member, by Judith Stein Instruments are tuned, President's Talent Search, or in the winner, the runner-ups and that special "audience's choice." e) just inquire at the dance shoes shined, fingers lim- Hollywood at an audition with 'fu::rnn12 Member Service Booth. bered. The excitement builds, CBS. Hey, performers, spaces are the tension mounts and every- The first step on this road to filling up fast and the number is 9:30 • 6:00 Monday to Saturday, Fridays 'til 9:00 one's heart beats a little faster. What's happening? The stardom begins here, with you and your applause and support, limited. So grab the phone and give us a call to register. 295 Baker St., Nelson, 354-4077 THE KOOTENAY WEEKLY EXPRESS July 24, 1991 Page7